Global Medical Foam Market Research Report: By Form (Flexible, Rigid, Spray), By Material (Polymers, Latex, Metal) and By Application (Bedding & Cushioning, Medical Packaging, Medical Devices & Components, Prosthetics & Wound Care, Others) – Forecast to 2027

Market Forecast

Global Medical Foam Market is expected to register a CAGR of over 6% to reach around USD 38 Billion by the end of 2027.

Market Synopsis

The growing demand for high-quality medical products has resulted in the increased use of medical foam in numerous applications, including wound dressings, sealing of medical device LCD screens, medical device cushioning, prosthetic padding, and custom orthotics, among others. Medical foam is lightweight and possesses superior properties, including flexibility, absorbance, stretchability, fungal resistance, stain resistance, low outgassing, excellent compression-set resistance, impact absorption, and durability.

The expanding pharmaceuticals industry in both developed and developing economies with increased spending on healthcare infrastructure coupled with increasing healthcare awareness and rising geriatric population are key drivers for the growth of the medical foam market. The growing demand for implantable medical devices on account of technological advancements and increasing awareness is also likely to propel the market growth at a significant rate during the review period.

Furthermore, the increasing demand for sustainable packaging materials in the medical industry is expected to create lucrative opportunities for the players operating in the global medical foam market.

However, fluctuations in the price of raw material are likely to affect market growth during the review period.

Regulatory Analysis

Polyurethane foam is manufactured using isocyanate and polyol. Exposure to isocyanates and polyols can be hazardous for human health and the environment, as a result of which the use of isocyanates and polyols is regulated by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This is likely to affect the manufacturing of polyurethane foam and, thus, medical foam.

Market Drivers

• Expanding pharmaceutical industry


• Growing demand for implantable medical devices

Market Restraints

• Fluctuations in raw material prices

Segmentation

By Form

• Flexible: The flexible segment accounted for the largest share of the global medical foam market in 2019 and is expected to record a significant growth rate during the review period. The market growth can be attributed to the increasing demand in applications, including bedding & cushioning and wound dressing.

• Rigid: Rigid material, particularly polyethylene terephthalate glycol, is mainly being used for the packaging of medical devices.

• Spray: Spray medical foam finds use in the pre-cleaning of medical devices, terminal sterilization, or disinfection.

By Material

• Polymers: Polymers are being widely in medical foam owing to their superior properties, which include light weight, sound absorption, and biocompatibility, among others. Polyurethane is the most commonly used material in medical foams.

• Latex: Latex material is primarily used for medical bedding & cushioning.

• Metal: Medical foam made using metallic materials is used in implantable medical devices owing to its superior properties, which include high porosity, high strength, and excellent absorption, among others.

By Application

• Bedding & Cushioning: The bedding & cushioning segment held the largest market share in 2019. Flexible foams are being preferred in applications, including surgical beds, cushions, and wheelchair seats owing to its high resilience property.

• Medical Packaging: The medical packaging segment is projected to register significant growth during the review period. Medical foam is used in the packaging of medical devices, tools, and equipment.

• Medical Devices & Components: Growing demand for medical devices is likely to fuel the demand for medical foam.

• Prosthetics & Wound Care: Medical foam is used as a filler to bring undersized limbs up to size.

• Others

By Region

• Asia-Pacific: The market in Asia-Pacific accounted for the largest market share in 2019 and is expected to register a significant CAGR during the review period on account of the expanding medical industry, particularly in India and China. Increased spending on healthcare, coupled with rising healthcare awareness, is likely to drive the growth of the healthcare industry &, thus, the medical foam market.

• North America: The growth of the North American medical foam market is mainly driven by the established presence of the medical devices industry, coupled with the increasing geriatric population in the region.

• Europe: The market growth in Europe is expected to be driven by increased investments in R&D activities in the medical industry. Germany held the largest market share in the region.

• Latin America and the Middle East & Africa: The market growth in Latin America and the Middle East & Africa is likely to be driven by increasing spending on healthcare coupled with rising health consciousness among the consumers.

Key Players

• UFP Technologies (US)


• SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD., Softlon (Japan)


• Huntsman International LLC, Rubinate & Suprasec (US)


• Trelleborg, Confor (Sweden)


• RECTICEL (Belgium)


• INOAC CORPORATION (Japan)


• FXI HOLDINGS, INC. (US)


• ARMACELL LLC (Germany)


• Rogers Foam Corporation (US)


• Freudenberg Group (Germany)


• Mölnlycke Health Care (Sweden)

Report Scope:

Report Attribute/Metric	Details
Market Size	2027: USD 38 Billion
CAGR	6.1 % (2020-2027)
Base Year	2019
Forecast Period	2020-2027
Historical Data	2018
Forecast Units	Value (USD Billion)
Report Coverage	Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends
Segments Covered	Form, Material, Application
Geographies Covered	North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW)
Key Vendors	UFP Technologies (US),SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD., Softlon (Japan), Huntsman International LLC, Rubinate & Suprasec (US), Trelleborg, Confor (Sweden), RECTICEL (Belgium), INOAC CORPORATION (Japan), FXI HOLDINGS, INC. (US), ARMACELL LLC (Germany), Rogers Foam Corporation (US), Freudenberg Group (Germany), Mölnlycke Health Care (Sweden)
Key Market Opportunities	Increasing demand for sustainable packaging materials in the medical industry
Key Market Drivers	Expanding pharmaceutical industry Growing demand for implantable medical devices

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

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