Medical Tubing Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Silicone, Polyolefins), By Application (Bulk Disposable Tubing, Catheters), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030

Report Overview

The global medical tubing market size was estimated at USD 11.86 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% from 2022 to 2030. The main factors propelling the growth are the rise in demand for medical tubes to give fluids and medications to patients and the rising cases of respiratory diseases, such as asthma, lung cancer, and pulmonary fibrosis. COVID-19 significantly impacted the whole medical devices industry. In 2021, hospitalization rates increased which drove the product demand for better patient care. For instance, the pandemic increased the demand for glass inhalers and equipment with tubing devices, such as ventilators.

In the U.S., the COVID-19 virus spread rapidly in 2021, resulting in a large portion of the population being hospitalized. Due to the high prevalence of the COVID-19 illness, which affects the lungs and causes pneumonia and other respiratory issues, the need for medical tubing used in various respiratory devices increased significantly in the U.S.

The continuous innovation in drug delivery systems by medical device manufacturers is resulting in the requirement for customizable medical tubes, which is projected to drive the demand for medical tubes in drug delivery systems. The growing number of collaborations and joint ventures between various companies in the medical device sector is expected to expand the global reach of disposable medical devices, consequently boosting the market growth.

Plastics play an essential role in manufacturing medical tubes such as conduits for acquiring biopsy samples, vascular catheters, and stent holders due to their inertness to body fluids and tissues, low cost for high-cost volume applications, and higher optical properties. Thus, medical tubes made of plastics are witnessing increased adoption in medical devices.

The continuous innovation in drug delivery systems by medical device manufacturers is resulting in the requirement of customizable medical tubes, projected to drive the demand for medical tubes in drug delivery systems. Increasing advances in drug delivery systems such as intracochlear and photo-thermally triggered drug delivery, which uses nano-medical tubes, are expected to promote the market.

Product Insights

The Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) segment led the industry and accounted for 29.3% of the global revenue share in 2021. An increase in the use of single-use pre-sterilized medical devices has led to a growth in demand for PVC-based medical devices. PVC can also be sterilized using irradiation and ethylene oxide sterilization methods.

Silicon tubing used in medical devices is usually of higher grade and is manufactured using a continuous vulcanization and extrusion process. It offers increased stability over a wide range of temperatures and provides enhanced chemical resistance and a wide range of sterilization options.

The demand for polycarbonates in medical tubing is increasing as it can be sterilized using all effective methods such as irradiation (gamma and electron-beam), ethylene oxide, and steam autoclaving, which gives the device manufacturer broad flexibility in determining the most cost-efficient way for a product.

Fluoropolymers are non-toxic, inert, and bio-compatible, and can also be sterilized, and these unique properties make fluoropolymers an ideal choice for medical devices. Fluoropolymers are a preferred material in next-generation medical devices such as sutures, syringes, bio-containment vessels, and catheters.

Application Insights

The bulk disposable tubing segment led the market and accounted for a 35% share of the global revenue in 2021. Bulk disposable devices include urological products, surgical instruments, syringes, and needles. The growing emphasis on preventing the spread of infection from one patient to another is anticipated to drive the segment growth during the forecast period. 

Catheters are narrow tubes composed of medical-grade materials that serve a variety of roles in medical applications. They are introduced into the body of patients to treat diseases or to perform surgeries. The demand for catheters has been encouraged by increasing cases of chronic conditions in the global population that require hospitalization.

The spread of COVID-19 had prompted a rise in coronavirus research, fueling the demand for biopharmaceutical laboratory equipment. In addition, ongoing vaccination research for the coronavirus globally has contributed to the need for laboratory equipment. The consistent and constant supply of laboratory equipment is anticipated to have a positive impact on the growth of the medical tubing market. 

The drug delivery systems segment is anticipated to witness the fastest CAGR of more than 6.8% from 2022 to 2030. Drug delivery systems are designed to provide therapeutic drugs to patients in a targeted and controlled manner. Various types of drug delivery systems, such as injectable, respiratory, and connected drug delivery systems, use medical tubes to deliver the drugs to the target location.

Regional Insights

North America led the market and accounted for 37.8% of the global revenue share in 2021, owing to the industrial dynamics and commodity abundance in its countries The presence of a large base of geriatric population in countries like the U.S. and Canada, sophisticated healthcare infrastructure, and relatively higher disposable income levels of patients, are some vital drivers of the healthcare industry in the region.

The well-established medical infrastructure and increasing healthcare expenditures are expected to drive product demand in Europe. Steady demand for minimally invasive and diagnostic equipment, which use medical tubes, is also anticipated to boost the market growth during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific is estimated to be the fastest-growing region due to the rising demand for better healthcare products which has pushed medical equipment manufacturers to emphasize the development of innovative ways to reach a wide range of people. Moreover, the rising demand for minimally invasive surgeries and a rise in the geriatric population are the factors that will boost the demand for healthcare services.

The demand for healthcare services in Central & South America is rising owing to several factors, including the aging population on account of longer life expectancy, and lower birth rates coupled with rising instances of chronic diseases. Also, public-private partnerships are increasing in the sector. Thus, improving healthcare infrastructure, coupled with the expanding healthcare industry, is poised to drive regional market growth.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Manufacturers adopt several strategies, including acquisitions, mergers, joint ventures, new product developments, and geographical expansions, to enhance market penetration and cater to the changing technological requirements of various end-use industries.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted medical tubing manufacturers to strengthen online marketplaces for services and spare part availability. For instance, in August 2021, Nordson Corporation acquired NDC Technologies; the aim behind the acquisition is to expand the former’s test and inspection platform into new end markets and adjacent technologies. Some prominent players in the global medical tubing market include:

• Asahi Tec Corp.

• MDC Industries

• Nordson Corp.

• ZARYS International Group

• Hitachi Cable America Inc.

• NewAge Industries, Inc.

• TE Connectivity

• Freudenberg & Co. KG

• Spectrum Plastics Group

• ATAG SpA

• Vanguard Products Corp.

Medical Tubing Market Report Scope

Global Medical Tubing Market Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global medical tubing market report based on product, application, and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Silicone

  • Polyolefins

  • Polyvinyl Chloride

  • Polycarbonates

  • Fluoropolymers

  • Others

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Bulk Disposable Tubing

  • Drug Delivery Systems

  • Catheters

  • Biopharmaceutical Laboratory Equipment

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

    • France

    • Russia

    • Spain

    • Italy

    • Netherlands

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • Australia

    • Singapore

    • South Korea

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa