How antimicrobial packaging is transforming the healthcare industry

The use of antimicrobial packaging in the healthcare industry is further fuelling product sales. Rising awareness of consumers on hygiene and packaging of medicines is aiding the market growth.

The healthcare industry has been experiencing growth in recent years which will directly amplify product sales in the forecast period.

Antimicrobials are primarily used as packaging agents to prevent the growth of microorganisms and guarantee product safety. These antimicrobial agents are used while packaging any item so that they can work by a slow release on surfaces or can also be used in vapour form.

The growing importance to maintain storage temperature is further augmenting growth in the market. The growth of potential microbes is dependent on the element of storage temperature. For this reason, a properly designed antimicrobial packaging system is employed to prevent medical illnesses from healthcare packaging by maintaining moderate storage temperature and distribution systems.

Nowadays, hospitals are becoming a breeding ground for growth of algae, bacteria, and fungus which in turn causes harmful effects on consumers and also on plastic medical devices. For this purpose, antimicrobial additives are added in antimicrobial packaging to restrict microbial growth and to improve the hygienic factor among patients.

Also, healthcare equipment manufacturers have been developing innovative products comprising effective microbe-resistant properties which maintain the aesthetic value of hospitals and also stop the growth of infectious agents in the hospitals. This factor is expected to drive market growth by escalating product sales. 

Driving Demand for Antimicrobial Packaging?

Over the past decade there has been a major shift in lifestyle of people. There has been a sizeable increase in the number of health conscious consumers which is driving the demand for packaged products with antimicrobial properties.

Asia Pacific Antimicrobial Packaging Market Outlook

It has been projected that in next five years healthcare spending in Asia Pacific is poised to grow by ~40% expanding at the rate 2x the world average.

These positive trends along with increased production of packaging in the region is projected to propel the demand and sales of packaging materials with antimicrobial properties.

North America Antimicrobial Packaging Market Outlook

Between the period 2012-2016 consumption of packaging rose by ~10% in the region and was further expected to rise by ~20% by the end of 2022. Increased consumption of packaging along with demand for safe and microbial free packaged products is projected to drive the market in the long run.

Moreover, high government spending on healthcare especially in the US has provided a surge in demand for packaging for with antimicrobial properties. These above mentioned factors along with high disposable income among consumers is projected to drive the antimicrobial packaging industry in North America.