The medical adhesive tapes market is estimated at USD 8.6 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 11.5 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 6.1% between 2021 and 2026.
The drivers of market growth are identified as the rising number of surgeries, increasing incidence of diabetes, and the growing number of ambulatory surgery centers.
Silicone: Second-largest Resin Type
Silicone is the second-largest resin type in the overall medical adhesive tapes market as it can withstand higher temperatures than rubber-and acrylic-based medical adhesive tapes. Over the past few years, the demand for silicone medical adhesive tapes has increased in the stick-to-skin market of the medical sector.
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These tapes have lower peel adhesion compared to synthetic rubber and acrylic tapes. These tapes are widely used for fragile skin, such as infant babies and elderly patients with comorbidities causing the skin to be more delicate. These tapes are also useful for repeat application on the same portion of the skin.
Paper Tapes: Fastest-growing Segment
Paper is a widely used backing material that adheres lightly to an individual’s skin. It is most widely used for people (adults and infants) with sensitive skin. These are widely used for applications such as dressing and fixation of tubes. These tapes provide excellent comfort compared to the fabric medical adhesive tapes. Hence, they find significant applications in cases involving elderly patients.
Paper tapes are also preferred in cases involving frequent redressing of wounds. The paper backing material is eco-friendly; it can be easily recycled and re-pulped. Therefore, it is a good choice in regions with stringent environmental regulations, such as Europe and North America. The increasing awareness about adhesive tapes in different end-use industries has led tape manufacturers to focus on products that can replace other fastening systems.
These factors have increased the demand for low-cost backing material such as paper for manufacturing tapes, majorly in South American and Asia Pacific countries such as India, South Korea, China, and Indonesia.
Fastest Growth in Asia Pacific Region
The Asia Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing market for medical adhesive tapes, in terms of value, due to the improving healthcare services and the rising level of income in this region. The rising population of the region, along with high disposable income and improved healthcare activities in this region, is driving the medical adhesive tapes market. Nitto Denko Corporation (Japan) and Nichiban Co., Ltd. (Japan) are the important players in this region.
The manufacturing sector in the Asia Pacific (excluding Japan), especially consumer products, is growing rapidly. Moreover, various new production facilities in the region, both export-oriented and domestic, utilize the latest manufacturing processes which are designed to use medical adhesive tapes instead of traditional mechanical fastening equipment.
China is a hub for assembling industrial products, majorly because of low labor costs. Fueled by booming economies such as China, India, and other countries in the Asia Pacific region, the medical adhesive tapes market is growing at a strong pace.
Source: Markets and Markets (M&M)