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Medical Plastics : US Industry
Study With Forecasts To 2008 & 2013
US market to reach $5.6 billion in 2008
Medical plastic demand in the US is projected to
rise 3.1 percent per annum to 4.3 billion pounds in 2008, valued at $5.6
billion. Advances will reflect an upswelling of medical product and packaging
requirements brought about by an aging population and increasing number of
medical conditions. The increased use of disposable devices and supplies is also
leading to more intensive use of plastics over glass, metal and other materials.
Commodity resins to remain dominant
Commodity plastic demand in the manufacture of
medical product components and packaging is projected to grow 2.8 percent per
year to 3.6 billion pounds in 2008, accounting for 83 percent of all medical
plastics. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) advances will be predicated on the resin's
competitive cost, versatility, and good performance properties, as well as the
introduction of improved and environmentally safer grades. Most rapid advances
among commodity plastics are expected for polypropylene (PP), reflecting the
material's clarity, barrier strength and radiation resistance benefits. The
expanding use of drug blister packs will keep demand for low density
polyethylene advancing steadily.
Engineered resins to grow the fastest
Despite their higher cost, engineered plastics will
provide faster medical associated growth than commodity plastics, with demand
rising 4.3 percent per annum to 740 million pounds in 2008. Advances will be
based on needs for higher performing materials in surgical, diagnostic testing,
drug delivery, geriatric care, self treatment and preventative medicine. Fastest
growth is expected in research and diagnostic products (e.g., equipment
housings) and surgical and medical instruments (e.g., syringes and scalpels).
Thermoplastic polyester will remain the dominant engineered resin with
polycarbonate and thermoplastic elastomers exhibiting the best growth due to
heightened needs for clarity, impact resistance, and tactile and other
properties. Accelerated growth is also expected for niche thermoplastics such as
polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polysulfone in surgical and medical instruments,
as well as in x-ray and electromedical equipment.
Medical product component market to outpace medical
packaging uses
Growth in demand for medical plastics in product
components will outpace packaging applications. Areas of opportunity include
prosthetic devices and invasive surgical instruments. These uses are dominated
by other materials such as metal, and are open to penetration by new, advanced
thermoplastics. In packaging applications, plastics dominate most medical
container and accessory uses and will be adversely affected by cost pressures,
saturated markets and pressures for less material-intensive packages.
Ref:- http://freedonia.ecnext.com/coms2/summary_0285-31566_ITM
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