Sterilants Market

Sterilants Market Outlook- 2023 to 2033

By 2033, the global sterilants market is expected to reach US$ 4244.1 million, surpassing US$ 2361.627 million in 2023. A CAGR of 6% indicates positive market growth over the forecast period.

Sterilization is one of the most important processes to be followed in industries and healthcare facilities. The rising incidence of infection transmission through surgical instruments or contaminated surface contact with the human skin surface or tissues has demanded effective and compatible sterilants or sporicidal agents in the sterilants market.

The growing demand for sterilized environments (in terms of sterilized surgical instruments and equipment) and surging demand for compatible sterilants have driven opportunities for manufacturers. Strategic acquisitions and collaborations by the manufacturers are leading to high growth of the sterilants market in the coming years. Also, the global pandemic has boosted the requirement for hygiene solutions, which amplifies the growth potential of the market.

The increasing demand for processed food, which uses sterilants as food preservatives to increase shelf life and protect them against microorganisms, is a major driver of the sterilant market. In addition, the growing healthcare industry contributes to the growth of the global sterilant market, since medical equipment needs to be sterilized with sterilants such as peracetic acid.

In the coming years, the global sterilant market is expected to grow due to the increasing use of sterilants in agriculture to protect crops. Furthermore, sterilants such as peracetic acid are environmentally friendly, making them preferred for sterilizing medical equipment; they also do not leave any toxic residue after application, making them an opportunistic market for the forecast period.

The application of sterilants to the body can, however, cause adverse health effects, such as irritation of the eyes, allergies, and respiratory irritation. The high concentration of some sterilants is corrosive in nature, resulting in the degradation of inanimate surfaces; as a result, the growth of the sterilants market is predicted to suffer during the forecast period.

Global Sterilants Market Historical Analysis (2017 to 2022) Vs. Forecast Outlook (2023 to 2033)

Sterilization is an essential step to be carried out by laboratories and industries to avoid contamination and incidence of microbial transmission in aseptic areas. Sterilizing heat-sensitive instruments and surgical equipment that are highly susceptible to high temperatures can damage the instrument due to high temperatures or chemical reactions between the chemical sterilants and the instrument.

Thus, to avoid damage and the occurrence of chemical reactions, the demand for cold sterilants that are compatible and effective with low toxicity factors has increased. Consequently, the demand for sterilants is growing steadily owing to their strength and efficacy as compared to disinfectants.

According to FMI’s analysis, sterilants sales may grow from 2240.4 million in 2022 at a 19.7% CAGR between 2017 and 2022. The pandemic has strengthened the sales of sterilants and high-level disinfectants. Government initiatives to create awareness among people about hygienic environments are another factor expected to drive the sterilants market.

• Short Term (2022 to 2025): The short-term growth prospects of the market are likely to grow as manufacturers may come up with campaigns that highlight the benefits of sterilants.
• Medium Term (2025 to 2028): The market is likely to show a slight uptake as it could increase the adoption and usage of environmentally friendly and sustainable sterilants that offer improved efficacy and reduced toxicity.
• Long Term (2028 to 2033): The long-term goal for the sterilants market would be innovative sterilization technologies that achieve high levels of efficacy while minimizing the use of harmful chemicals and reducing waste.

Comprehensive Analysis of the Factors Shaping the Sterilants Market

The rising incidence of healthcare-associated infections due to the cross-contamination of surgical instruments or equipment along with the growing preference for an aseptic environment is expected to propel the sterilants market in the coming years.

Rising demand for cold sterilants to avoid damage to heat-sensitive instruments is also likely to drive market growth. Manufacturers have increased their focus on research and development efforts to launch new and effective formulations to leverage market growth. Moreover, government initiatives to support hygiene solutions are expected to boost the sterilants market growth during the forecast period.

Due to the pandemic, the rising demand for hygienic environments to avoid unnecessary exposure to infectious diseases or viruses in hospitals and clinics has driven the global demand for sterilants around the world. Government decisions to combat viral exposure have raised the approval rates for new products in the market.

For instance, in September 2020, EcoClear Products, Inc. received Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval for SteriCide™, a multi-use disinfectant, for use against emerging viral pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). EcoClear Products, Inc. is a leading cleaning solution and pest control company in the United States. Moreover, in April 2020, Solvay SA received EPA approval for PROXITANE® AHC for use against SARS-CoV-2 – the virus strain.

Sabyasachi Ghosh

Principal Consultant

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Sterilants are Under Pressure from Several Factors

Regulatory complexity is the major factor expected to hamper the market growth. The utilization of high-level disinfectants or sterilants should be within the legal concentration range. For example, glutaraldehyde is normally used in the concentration range of 2 to 3%, but due to its high toxicity, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has limited its use.

Further, being a toxic chemical, the disposal of sterilants is another big challenge, as they are harmful to the environment. Numerous legal regulations implied by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on waste disposal of disinfectants are forcing Forms to decrease the consumption of these chemicals. Due to the health and environmental hazards associated with chemical sterilants, numerous alternatives have been adopted by market players, which is expected to hamper the global sterilants market’s growth in the coming years.

Moreover, direct contact of high concentrations of sterilants with the skin is corrosive. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, acute or chronic exposure to various sterilants may cause cancer, adverse reproductive effects, respiratory irritation, headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, mutagenic changes, neurotoxicity, sensitization, and many other adverse effects.

The Sterilants Market is Characterized by a series of Key Trends

Increasing market consolidation activities including strategic acquisitions and collaborations between local players and the leading key players are a key trend impacting the sterilants market. The growing demand for low-temperature sterilization over steam sterilization is an emerging trend in the global sterilants market.

As all medical and scientific equipment is not able to resist the high temperature and humidity of the steam sterilization method, a suitable low-temperature sterilization method is required in the industrial sterilization field.

Several medical device companies are adopting low-temperature oxidative sterilization technology. This is based on two of these low-temperature oxidative methods, including peracetic acid gas/plasma technology and hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization, developed by Advanced Sterilization Products (ASP).

The leading pharmaceutical players in the global market are adopting outsourcing models to expand their market footprint and thus generate a high rate of interest in the global sterilants market. Strategic long-term agreements and partnerships with local suppliers help manufacturers lower their operational costs. Furthermore, sterilants manufacturer companies can benefit from better pricing by outsourcing.

Overall run time and transportation and logistics costs are reduced to a great extent, which may benefit the key players in gaining a high revenue share in the market. For instance, In June 2018, Cantel Medical Corporation acquired Stericyle Inc.'s Controlled Environmental Solutions business, a leading provider of testing and certification, environmental monitoring, and decontamination services for cleanrooms and other controlled environments to ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and quality control.

Opportunities in the Sterilants Market that can be Exploited

The pharmaceutical & biotechnology industries have more emphasis on the maintenance of proper hygiene and providing an anti-bacterial environment in the manufacturing plant. Stringent regulations are followed by manufacturing plants focusing on the maintenance of hygiene and workplace safety, as even minor contamination during product manufacturing can lead to hazardous health issues.

In the United States, investments in research and development in the pharmaceutical sector have continuously increased in recent years and constitute over 40% of the global research and development investment in the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, it is expected that the demand for sterilants will increase along with the growth of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries during the forecast period.

The growing healthcare sector also offers lucrative opportunities for manufacturers in the sterilants market. Governmental guidelines defined under the Affordable Care Act force hospital authorities to maintain cleanliness and hygiene services.

According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, one out of 20 patients acquires an infection during a hospital visit in the United States. 75,000 people died due to such infections in 2014. Therefore, hospitals and consumers are increasingly adopting sterilants and disinfectants to reduce contamination and infection in hospitals.

Thus, infection control actions are expected to drive the market of sterilants during the forecast period. Furthermore, increased research and development efforts by manufacturers and researchers to develop novel and effective aseptic solutions and expansion of their product portfolio are expected to lead to lucrative opportunities in the competitive sterilants market.

Sterilants Market Category-wise Insights

Ethylene Oxide Gained Popularity in the Sterilants Market

Ethylene oxide (EO) sterilants are the most common industrial sterilants used for medical device sterilization. It is used in a ‘cold’ sterilization technique and offers high compatibility with most materials used in the manufacture of medical devices, such as plastics, polymers, metals, and glass.

Its lethality is driven by a chemical reaction (alkylation) with the DNA of bacteria, viruses, molds, yeasts, and even insects. Thus, owing to its advantage and compatibility ethylene oxide has the highest revenue share of US$ 605.31 million in 2023 and is expected to rise to annual revenue of US$ 995.42 million by 2033 with a 5.1% CAGR between 2023 and 2033.

What is the preferred form of Sterilants and who is the Leading End User?

The liquid sterilant form accounted for the highest share among the other forms owing to its compatibility with thermolabile products.

The hospital’s segment accounted for the highest share of the sterilants market with a CAGR of 4.5%. The overall demand for sterilants in hospitals is largely driven by the increasing prevalence of human-associated infections (HAIs), the growing number of surgical procedures, and the increasing number of hospitals worldwide.

The rising geriatric population is one of the key contributors to the sterilants market growth for hospitals. As the geriatric population is more susceptible to chronic diseases.

Region-Wise Insights

Countries Leading in Sterilants Market: Country-Wise Analysis

The Demand for Sterilants High in the United States

In the United States, the healthcare system is well known for its high expenses and well-developed infrastructure. The United States government and regulatory bodies are implementing various cost-effective plans to reduce their healthcare burden. Moreover, the heavy consumption of sterilants in the country, pushed by the high demand for sterility and hygiene maintenance due to the pandemic and to avoid infection exposure, the country has witnessed a huge growth rate over the past few months.

The country experienced the toughest hit of the infection, with a large number of cases diagnosed and the highest proportionate death rate recorded globally. As a result, Americans spent liberally on sterility measures, which resulted in growth in consumption of the same. Furthermore, the presence of leading players like 3M Company, Steris Plc., Cantel Medical Corporation, Thor Group, and many others in the region also helped drive the market in the region.

Rising Disposable Income in China to Create a Surge

Increasing disposable income could project a significant impact on economic development in emerging countries which results in the affordability of proper healthcare treatment. China’s per capita disposable income reached about US$ 4,961 in 2020, which doubled the level in 2010.

The potential for rising disposable income with high healthcare insurance is expected to contribute to increasing the affordability of healthcare services intended to prevent infectious diseases. The market in China is expected to witness significant growth at a CAGR of around 6.3%.

The Expansion of the Research Industry Drive the India Sterilants Market

The strong emergence of biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies with growing research efforts is expected to offer opportunities in the sterilants market. However, India has the highest consumption of sterilants as compared to other South Asian countries. Sterilization demand is expected to increase, as most products in the pipeline are likely to reach the end stage and be commercialized by the end of the decade.

In developing countries, it is easier to recruit patients for clinical trials. Research and development costs in India are substantially less compared to those in developed countries, and it is possible to innovate and develop effective products at competitive rates. India accounted for more than 45% of the South Asia sterilants market.

Some of the key players in the Sterilants market are

• 3M Company
• Steris Plc.
• Cantel Medical Corporation
• Evonik Industries AG
• Arkema S.A.
• Thor Group
• Metrex Research, LLC
• Ecolab Inc.
• Solvay SA
• LANXESS
• Contec, Inc.
• OZU Corporation
• Cetylite, Inc.
• Veltek Associates, Inc.
• Whiteley Corporation
• Gul Biyoloji Laboratuvari

Recent Development

Many leading players are focusing on various market consolidation activities such as mergers, acquisitions, supply distribution partnerships, and launching new products, leading to high competitiveness in the market. Key manufacturers are keen to expand the market footprint of their key products and provide solutions to end users. For instance, many leading manufacturers nowadays provide customized solutions based on various end-user requirements.

• In October 2021, Astell Scientific launched the latest AstellBio Sink line of Effluent Decontamination Systems (EDS) capable of automatically sterilizing polluted wastewater before releasing it into the sewer system. By deactivating biological agents up to and including level 3, the AstellBio Sink is capable of deterring the spread of harmful organisms.
• Earlier this year, Sodexo announced its partnership with Ecolab Inc. to offer healthcare facilities and hospitals across the country the latest in infection prevention products and services. By utilizing Ecolab's Bioquell hydrogen peroxide vapor technology, Protecta Plus, Sodexo's unique program, offers an additional way to reduce the threat of infection.
• In 2020, in response to the pandemic situation, Lanxess launched a high-level disinfectant named Rely+On Virkon. The product will be highly effective on hard surfaces and equipment, which will help to reduce the contamination of surfaces.

Thus, the ongoing innovative product offerings by market players can maintain supply and demand, assisting the overall market growth during the forecast period.

Scope of Report

Sterilants Market Segmentation by Category

By Product:

• Ethylene Oxide (EtO)
• Glutaraldehyde
• Hydrogen Peroxide Gas Plasma (HPGP)
• Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide
• Immersion and Vapor Phase Peracetic Acid
• Others

By Form:

• Liquid
• Spray

By End-user:

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Ambulatory Surgical Centers
• Diagnostic Laboratories
• Reference Laboratories
• Rehabilitation Centers
• Long Term Care Centers
• Critical Care Centers
• Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies
• Academics and Research Institutes
• Homecare Settings

By Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• The Middle East and Africa
• East Asia