Antimicrobial Plastic Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Commodity Plastics, Engineering Plastics, High-performance Plastics), By End Use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030

Report Overview

The global antimicrobial plastic market size was valued at 37.87 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8% from 2022 to 2030. Antimicrobial plastic is a synthetic polymeric material containing an integrated active ingredient (antimicrobial additive) that makes it effective against the growth of microbes such as algae, fungi, and mold. These microbes tend to shorten the life of plastic products; thus, the use of antimicrobial plastics has increased in recent years in various end-use industries such as food and beverage, packaging, and healthcare, which are expected to be the main drivers of the global market during the forecast period.

Antimicrobial plastics are now increasingly being used as a substitute for conventional materials in the healthcare sector for manufacturing medical instruments such as ventilators and anesthesia machines due to their pathogen-inhibiting properties. This plastic helps to minimize the growth of pathogens such as algae, bacteria, and fungi and has excellent moisture resistance, which also increases its acceptance as an effective food packaging solution in the food and beverage industry.

These plastics are produced by infusing antimicrobial additives such as arsenic-based oxybisphenoxarsine (OBPA) and organometallic biocides into the material to provide long-lasting protection against microbes and pathogens. These additives help increase the functional life of the plastic and inhibit the growth of bacteria that can cause the plastic to degrade more quickly, making it stronger, rust-proof, odorless, and highly suitable for medical device applications.

Moreover, the U.S. automotive and transportation industry is dominated by well-established players including General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and Toyota Motor Corporation. Rising demand for electric and hybrid vehicles, coupled with the presence of a well-established automotive industry and growing automotive aftermarkets in the country, is expected to drive the building and construction and automotive and transportation industries. This, in turn, is expected to fuel the consumption of antimicrobial plastics in the automotive and transportation industry over the forecast period.

Product Insights

Commercial plastics led the market and accounted for over 65.0% share of the global revenue in 2021. The use of commodity plastic in applications such as consumer goods, packaging, food & beverage, and healthcare is expected to fuel market growth over the forecast period. Product growth in these end-use industries is primarily driven by increased consumer awareness regarding personal hygiene and the changing lifestyles of consumers across the world.

Polypropylene and polyethylene antimicrobial plastics are majorly driving the demand for commodity plastic due to their high impact strength, better biocompatibility, chemical resistance, moisture resistance, and wide range of applications in various end-use industries.

The worldwide spread of the coronavirus disease has positively impacted the demand for these antimicrobial plastics in consumer products. Buying behavior is shifting towards products that are environmentally friendly, trustworthy, and healthy. This shift in consumer purchasing behavior and structural changes in the consumer products industry are expected to increase the demand for consumer plastics with antimicrobial properties in consumer products over the forecast period.

End-use Insights

The healthcare segment dominated the market and accounted for over 30.0% share of the global revenue in 2021. Growth in the home healthcare sector is attributed to low costs compared to hospital care. Growing demand for intensive-care medical devices is expected to increase the demand for antimicrobial plastics in the healthcare sector in the coming years.

High demand for advanced medical services due to the presence of well-developed healthcare infrastructure, increasing incidence of cardiovascular diseases, and increasing aging population worldwide are expected to drive the demand for medical devices, which, in turn, will positively affect the demand for antimicrobial plastic in healthcare.

Antimicrobial plastics are widely used in care homes, surgical rooms, hospitals, home care, and drop-in centers, with products including ceiling paints, floors, beds, handles, walls, case note holders, pull cords, cubicle curtains, and nurse call systems. Antimicrobial plastics minimize the risk of microbes such as E. coli, MRSA, and Legionella, thus they play a significant role in infection control protocols. Rising demand for antimicrobial plastics for manufacturing infection prevention and sterilized products such as orthopedic sutures, surgical cables, and tubing is expected to drive the product demand in the healthcare sector. Increasing demand for biocompatible sterile and non-corrosive products in medical applications to replace metal is projected to propel the product demand. 

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific dominated the market and held more than 35.0% share of the global revenue in 2021. The demand for antimicrobial plastic is predicted to increase in the healthcare and packaging industries, particularly in developing nations such as India, China, and Japan. Additionally, it is anticipated that the development of insurance coverage in nations including India, China, and Japan, along with the increased prevalence of chronic diseases, will become a significant driver of government investment in healthcare infrastructure.

Europe remains an important market, however, growth in the region is likely to be restrained by various macroeconomic factors such as the debt crisis, rising unemployment, and weak industrial production. Manufacturing and consumption across Eastern Europe will fuel the growth. The region is characterized by strict environmental regulations by authorities such as ECHA, the European Commission, and various federal agencies.

However, other emerging economies, notably those in Central and South America (CSA) and the Middle East and Africa (MEA), are expanding at rates that are comparable to those of North America. These regions gain from the expansion of the end-use industries and the relatively low penetration of antimicrobial plastic in comparison to other regions.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market is characterized by the presence of various small- and medium-scale companies catering to global and local demands. It is characterized by forward integration through raw material production, manufacturing, and distribution to various application industries.

Integration across the stages of the value chain results in continuous raw material supply and low manufacturing costs. R&D initiatives by a few companies to enhance their product specifications and market reach are expected to further augment the product demand in the years to come. For instance, in March 2021, Parx Materials launched an additive technology, Saniconcentrate. This technology is designed to produce antimicrobial plastics that can resist the growth of harmful bacteria and viruses. Some prominent players in the global antimicrobial plastic market include:

• BASF SE

• Parx Materials N.V.

• Ray Products Company Inc.

• COVESTRO AG

• King Plastic Corporation

• Palram Industries Ltd.

• Clariant AG

• SANITIZED AG

• RTP Company

• Lonza

• INEOS Styrolution Group GmbH

• Milliken Chemical

• BioCote Limited

• Microban International

• DuPont de Nemours, Inc. 

Antimicrobial Plastic Market Report Scope 

Global Antimicrobial Plastic Market Segmentation

This report forecasts volume and revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2019 to 2030. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global antimicrobial plastic market report on the basis of product, end-use, and region:

• Product Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2019 - 2030)

  • Commodity Plastics

    • Polyethylene (PE)

    • Polypropylene (PP)

    • Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

    • Polystyrene (PS)

    • Acrylonitrile Butadiene Systems (ABS)

    • Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

  • Engineering Plastics

    • Polyamide (PA)

    • Polycarbonate (PC)

    • Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)

    • Others

  • High-performance Plastics

• End-use Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2019 - 2030)

  • Building & Construction

  • Automotive & Transportation

  • Healthcare

  • Packaging

  • Food & Beverage

  • Textile

  • Consumer Goods

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2019 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

    • France

    • Italy

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

  • Central and South America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East and Africa

    • GCC Countries

    • South Africa