Non-magnetic Wheelchair Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Patient Weight, By Magnetic Field Strength, By End-use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030

Non-magnetic Wheelchair Market Trends

The global non-magnetic wheelchair market size was estimated at USD 55.5 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9% from 2024 to 2030. Non-magnetic wheelchairs are designed as accessibility equipment without magnetic properties to ensure medical safety and compatibility. The market is expected to grow due to several factors, such as increasing geriatric population, growing prevalence of physiological and neurological diseases, and increasing installations of imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). According to Envision Radiology, nearly 30 million MRI scans are performed in the U.S. each year.

The pandemic harmed the non-magnetic wheelchair market. The negative impact was due to stagnancy in MRI scans performed in developing and developed economies. Moreover, journals such as NCBI stated that MRI scans performed in outpatient facilities were majorly affected post-onset of the pandemic in countries such as the U.S. For instance, the average scan volume decreased to 17.3 during the shutdown period, which was estimated at 44.4 during 2019. However, the impact of MRI scans in inpatient settings was affected marginally. Additionally, key market players such as Permobil witnessed a revenue decline of 10.3% in 2020.

The growing number of physiological and neurological diseases is expected to drive the global market growth during the forecast period. Diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal cord injuries, and stroke lead to mobility impairments, which augments the need for wheelchairs. According to the Parkinson's Foundation, nearly 1 million people in the U.S. suffer from PD, and the incidence of PD is expected to reach 1.2 million by 2030 in the U.S. Furthermore, patients suffering from these diseases require scans to scope the disease progression and nature, thereby, augmenting the demand for non-magnetic wheelchairs.

The growing launch of new imaging centers across economies is expected to drive the market expansion. For instance, in June 2023, McLaren Health Care and MSU Health Care entered a partnership to launch an imaging facility in Michigan within McLaren Greater Lansing Healthcare Campus. In addition, the imaging center will house four MRI machines, along with other technologies. Similarly, in developing countries such as India, government and private bodies are entering into collaboration to build advanced healthcare centers. For instance, in June 2023, an advanced imaging center was opened in Delhi, India, under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, and the center is expected to screen nearly 4,000 to 5,000 patients every month.

Patient Weight Insights

Based on patient weight, global market is segmented into below 100 kg, 100 kg to 150 kg, and above 150 kg. The 100 kg to 150 kg segment dominated with a revenue share of 47.75% in 2023. This is due to factors such as portability, durability, market demand, and product availability. Major manufacturers and distributors of non-magnetic wheelchairs recommend this weight class due to the balance of the product and median patient weight. According to an article by Gallup, Inc., in 2021, the average weight of an adult American man was 91.7 kg.

The above 150 kg segment is estimated to be the fastest-growing, with a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period. Factor such as obesity across age groups is expected to be a key driver for the segment’s growth. According to an article by NCBI in May 2023, an estimated 350 million of India’s population suffers from obesity. Similarly, over half of the European adults were marked overweight in 2021. Growing rate of obesity in developing and developed countries is expected to drive the demand for above 150 kg non-magnetic wheelchairs in the forecast period.

Magnetic Field Strength Insights

Based on magnetic field strength, the global market is segmented into up to 3T and up to 7T. Up to 3T segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 78.79% in 2023. 3T or 3-Tesla MRI machines are commonly used in clinical settings due to their advanced imaging capabilities and accessibility to hospital and healthcare facilities. Furthermore, 3T machines fulfill the regular diagnostic procedure requirements in patients, which supplements the demand for non-magnetic wheelchairs.

However, the 7T segment is estimated to witness the fastest CAGR of 7.7% during the forecast period. 7T or 7-Tesla MRI machines offer higher resolution and detailed imaging capability than 3T machines. Additionally, 7T machines are expected to expand their applications from research to clinical diagnostics, thereby, augmenting demand for compatible non-magnetic wheelchairs. For instance, in August 2020, GE HealthCare launched a 7-Tesla MRI scanner at the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

End-use Insights

Based on end-use, the market is segmented into hospitals and outpatient facilities. Hospitals dominated the market with a revenue share of 51.49% in 2023. The dominant share is attributed to hospitals as they cater to a diverse patient population, provide a range of diagnostic services, handle complex and specialized cases privy to MRI scans, and have higher financial budgets for technology and equipment such as non-magnetic wheelchairs.

The outpatient facilities segment is estimated to be the fastest-growing, with a CAGR of 7.3% during the forecast period. Outpatient facilities have started to incorporate a range of imaging services for different medical applications, which is expected to drive demand for non-magnetic wheelchairs. According to an article by AORN Inc. in June 2022, interventional radiology-based medical procedures have started to gain traction in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) which are expected to augment growth for imaging services such as MRI and subsequent demand for non-magnetic equipment.

Regional Insights

North America accounted for 34.86% of the total market share in 2023. The share can be attributed to the presence of advanced healthcare technologies, superior healthcare reimbursement policies, and a growing geriatric population susceptible to diseases.  Growing sports injuries in Canada and the U.S. supplement the expansion of non-magnetic wheelchairs. According to an article by Springer in September 2022, four sports contributed to nearly 33% of all fatal injuries in Canada, augmenting the need for medical scans and wheelchairs.

Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 7.9% over the forecast period. The growth can be attributed to the advancements in medical technology, increasing support from government bodies, and public-private partnerships to enhance healthcare services. According to an article by the World Economic Forum in September 2022, India received USD 7.7 billion in 2021 for nearly 25 healthcare projects

India is developing an in-house connected value chain for MRI machines, which is expected to fulfill the deficit of medical imaging machines. For instance, in April 2023, Siemens Healthineers opened its new healthcare imaging manufacturing unit in Bengaluru, India.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Market is highly competitive, with a large number of manufacturers, and the players are focusing on various strategic initiatives such as new product launches, geographical expansion, mergers and acquisitions, collaboration, product upgradation, and partnerships. For instance, in January 2023, Wheel Freedom Ltd launched an aircraft-grade aluminum wheelchair, Rogue 2.

Non-magnetic Wheelchair Market Report Scope

Global Non-magnetic Wheelchair Market Report 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 non-magnetic wheelchair market report based on patient weight, magnetic field strength, end-use, and region:

• Patient Weight Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Below 100 kg

  • 100 kg to 150 kg

  • Above 150 kg

• Magnetic Field Strength Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Up to 3T

  • Up to 7T

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

  • Hospitals

  • Outpatient Facilities

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

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • UK

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Sweden

    • Norway

    • Denmark

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

    • Australia

    • Thailand

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

    • Argentina

  • Middle East and Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • South Africa

    • UAE

    • Kuwait