Ethylene Oxide Sterilization Services Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By End-use (Hospitals, Outpatient Facilities), By Region (North America, Europe), And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Report Overview

The global ethylene oxide sterilization services market size was valued at USD 4.4 billion in 2022 and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.7% from 2023 to 2030. Ethylene oxide sterilization is a method of sterilizing medical and other equipment by exposing them to ethylene oxide gas. The rising cases of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), and the increasing number of surgical cases are the major factors anticipated to drive the ethylene oxide sterilization services market over the forecast period. The increasing number of surgeries is a factor that is driving the demand for sterilized medical equipment and products. For instance, as per the American College of Surgeons, every year, around 15.0 million U.S. residents have some kind of surgery.

As the number of surgical procedures increases, there is a corresponding increase in the demand for sterile instruments, equipment, and supplies. This increase in demand helps drive the growth of the ethylene oxide sterilization services market. By using sterilized equipment, healthcare providers can help reduce the risk of surgical site infections and ensure the safety of patients. As a result, ethylene oxide sterilization services are becoming increasingly important in supporting the growing number of surgeries and ensuring that they are performed in a safe and effective manner.

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are infections that patients acquire while receiving treatment in a healthcare setting. These infections can be caused by a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The occurrence of HAIs is a major concern for healthcare providers and patients alike. For instance, in the U.S., it is estimated that approximately 1 in 31 patients will develop an HAI on any given day. This equates to approximately 722,000 HAIs per year. The threat of HAIs is a key driver of the demand for ethylene oxide sterilization services and other forms of sterilization in the healthcare industry. By ensuring that medical equipment and supplies are free of harmful microorganisms, healthcare providers can help prevent the spread of infections and ensure the safety of their patients.

The rising use of endoscopic reprocessors and surgical units is driving the demand for ethylene oxide sterilization services. Endoscopic reprocessors and surgical units are medical devices that are used to clean and sterilize endoscopes and other medical instruments. The increasing use of endoscopic reprocessors and surgical units is driven by several factors, including:

• Rising demand for minimally invasive procedures: The use of endoscopic procedures is growing, driven by the increasing demand for minimally invasive surgical options.

• Increased focus on patient safety: Healthcare providers are placing an increased focus on patient safety, and the use of sterilized equipment is an important aspect of ensuring patient safety.

As a result of these factors, the use of endoscopic reprocessors and surgical units is growing, and this is driving the demand for ethylene oxide sterilization services.

End-use Insights

The hospitals segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 34.5% in 2022. This can be attributed to the growing hospital industry, increasing number of surgeries, and rising patient pool across all age groups. For instance, as per India Brand Equity Foundation, the Indian hospital industry accounts for around 80.0% of the total healthcare market in India and is estimated to reach USD 132 billion by 2023. With the increasing number of hospitals, there is a growing need for sterilized medical equipment and supplies to meet the needs of patients and healthcare providers. As a result of these factors, the number of hospitals is rising, and this is driving the demand for ethylene oxide sterilization services globally.

The research & manufacturing segment is projected to impel at a growth rate of 10.5% over the forecast period. Ethylene oxide is commonly used in the medical device manufacturing industry as a sterilization method for medical equipment and supplies. Ethylene oxide is an effective sterilant for a wide range of medical devices, including those that are heat-sensitive and cannot be sterilized through other methods. Medical device manufacturers use ethylene oxide sterilization to ensure that their products are free of harmful microorganisms and safe for use by patients. The use of ethylene oxide sterilization helps manufacturers meet regulatory requirements and provide their customers with high-quality, sterilized products.

The benefits of using ethylene oxide sterilization for medical device manufacturers include:

• Versatility: Ethylene oxide can be used on a wide range of medical devices and materials, including heat-sensitive items that cannot be sterilized through other methods.

• Cost-effectiveness: Ethylene oxide sterilization can be a cost-effective option for sterilizing large quantities of items, particularly compared to the cost of single-use disposable products.

Overall, the use of ethylene oxide sterilization in medical device manufacturing companies is a key factor in ensuring that medical devices are safe and effective for use by patients.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the ethylene oxide sterilization services market in 2022, with a market share of 35.5%. This can be attributed to the presence of major service providers, the rising number of surgical procedures, and the presence of major pharma and medical device companies in this region. For instance, as per a study by NCBI in 2020, around 40-50 million surgeries are performed in the U.S. every year. Moreover, an increase in the number of cases of hospital-acquired infections is fostering market expansion.

Furthermore, it is predicted that during the forecast period, tight regulatory rules to supply safe and high-quality healthcare services will propel market expansion. For instance, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires that healthcare facilities in this area use sterilization procedures. The demand for this service may also be increased by the increasing number of procedures and the growing workforce in the healthcare industry. Therefore, over the course of the forecast period, these factors are anticipated to fuel the growth of the market for ethylene oxide sterilization services.

Asia Pacific is projected to witness the fastest CAGR of 11.0% during the forecast period. The growth can be attributed to the growing population, impelling medical tourism, and rising demand for reusable medical devices. Moreover, major players in the market are trying to expand further, and move into the untapped market in the Asia Pacific, which is further expected to increase awareness and thereby boost the market in the coming years.

Additionally, the increasing prevalence of chronic disorders and the rising number of surgical cases in this region may further increase the usage of ethylene oxide sterilization services across the Asia Pacific. According to The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 623,000 people were admitted for surgery from elective surgery waiting lists of public hospitals in the country. Similarly, 784,000 patients were added to a list of people waiting for elective surgeries. Therefore, due to the increase in the number of hospitalizations, the demand for ethylene oxide sterilization services is expected to increase over the forecast period.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Key players are involved in adopting strategies such as geographic expansions, and partnerships to strengthen their foothold in the ethylene oxide sterilization services market. Some of the prominent players in the global ethylene oxide sterilization services market include:

• Steris

• 3M

• Getinge AB

• Sterigenics U.S., LLC - A Sotera Company

• Andersen Sterilizers

• Ionisos

• Cosmed Group

• Sterility Equipment India Private Limited

Ethylene Oxide Sterilization Services Market Report Scope

Global Ethylene Oxide Sterilization Services 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 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global ethylene oxide sterilization services market report on the basis of end-use and region:

• End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Hospitals

  • Outpatient Facilities

    • Specialty Clinics

    • Ambulatory Surgical Centers

    • Diagnostic Labs

  • Research & Manufacturing

    • Pharma & Nutraceuticals

    • Medical Device Manufacturing

    • Other Manufacturing Sectors

    • Academic Research Institutes

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • U.K.

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Denmark

    • Sweden

    • Norway

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

    • India

    • Australia

    • Thailand

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • Kuwait