The global antimicrobial additives market size is expected to reach USD 3.6 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is projected to expand at a revenue-based CAGR of 8.2% over the forecast period. Demand for additives is ascending at a prominent rate owing to their increasing consumption in medical devices and equipment and other end-use industries such as packaging, food and beverage, healthcare, personal care, and electronic goods. Additives are majorly utilized in order to enhance the physical as well as chemical properties of materials, increasing their shelf life, improve aesthetic value, and minimize the risk of microbes such as MRSA and legionella.

According to the research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2017, approximately 4% inpatients in acute care hospitals across U.S. contract at least one health-related infection. Medical devices such as urinary catheters, vascular access devices or enteral feeding tubes are particularly susceptible to colonization of bacteria, which can enter the bloodstream. Thus, as a solution companies engaged in manufacturing medical devices are increasingly focusing on using antimicrobial additives for blending with medical device polymers as these additives are highly successful in preventing colonization on the surface of medical device components.

The global market is segmented based on type of antimicrobial additive into organic and inorganic. Organic was the prominent segment and accounted for 50.6% of the global revenue in 2018. Organic antimicrobial additives when utilized with products and materials in paints and coatings, provide long-lasting protection against stain and odor-causing microbes as well as biodegradation.

Further key findings from the report suggest:

  • Key raw materials utilized in the production of additives include inorganic materials such as zinc, copper, and silver and organic materials such as dichloro isothiazolin, oxybisphenox arsine, and triclosan
  • The organic segment accounted for prominent share in the market by the end of 2018 and is further expected to witness prominent growth over the forecast period
  • The healthcare end-use segment dominated the global market and accounted for more than 20% of the market revenue in 2018
  • Antimicrobial additives minimize the risk of microbes such as MRSA, Legionella, and E.coli and hence they play a prominent role in infection control protocols
  • As of 2018, Asia Pacific accounted for more than 36% share in the overall market. Robust manufacturing base of automotive and textile industry across China, India, and Japan is anticipated to augment market growth in near future
  • The antimicrobial additives market is fragmented in nature with presence of various key players such as BASF SE, RTP Company, Clariant AG, LyondellBasell Industries N.V., and NanoBioMatters Industries S.L.