July 9, 2007 - Sterilization methods and techniques continue to evolve toward safer, speedier and more economic processes. Innovation in sterilization is centered on improving cycle times, reducing cost and safety concerns, and designing affordable systems for in-house use. Shaped by diverse trends, the world medical sterilization systems and equipment market is expected to reach $2.3 billion by 2010, according to a recent report.
The Steam sterilization market is stable due to regulatory enforcements imposed on EtO sterilization, a method fraught with higher residuals. Usage of new technologies such as E-beam and X-ray, is also set to register higher growth, widening the scope of options available for sterilization procedures. Going forwards, market share for traditional sterilization procedures such as steam, and EtO is forecast to decline, while gas plasma, gamma, are likely to strengthen.
Traditional technologies including EtO gas, gamma, E-beam radiation and steam increasingly incorporate advanced features in sync with changing customer demands. Use of EtO witnessed a diminishing trend due to concerns over toxicity of residuals and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) issues. The overall market continues to evolve with new procedures such as Pulsed Light, Plasma and X-Ray being increasingly used for a variety of applications. Another prominent trend exerting a significant impact on the sterilization industry is the proliferation of minimally invasive therapies. This trend is necessitating the development of suitable sterilization protocols for equipment used in these procedures.
The United States is the largest market for medical sterilization systems at an estimated $955 million in 2007. Europe is the second largest market followed by Japan at third position. United States and Europe together account for about 73 percent of the global share. The global and regional markets are expected to grow at modest CAGRs ranging between 4 percent and 6 percent through 2010. Steam sterilization market is estimated at US$253 million in 2007 while the Ethylene Oxide sterilization market is projected to reach $324 million by 2010. The sterilization supplies market is expected to reach close to $1.1 billion in 2008.
Leading market participants include 3M, Advanced Sterilization Products, Cantel Medical, Getinge AB, Kimberly Clark, SteriGenics, STERIS, TitanScan and Tuttnauer. Sterigenics is the largest sterilization and laboratory services provider in the healthcare sector. STERIS Corp leads the worldwide market in sterilization, washer/disinfector (infection-control systems) and endoscope reprocessing segments. Getinge AB is a leading player in sterilization, disinfection and hygiene systems.
"Sterilization Systems and Equipment: A Global Strategic Business Report" provides a comprehensive review of market trends, drivers, challenges, product profile, players, competition, technological developments, recent developments, mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic industry activities. Analysis is presented for major geographic markets such as United States, Japan, France, Germany, the UK, Italy, Spain, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Value analytics are provided in terms of product/process segments such as Steam/Autoclave, Ethylene Oxide Sterilization, Gas Plasma Sterilization, Gamma Radiation and E-Beam Radiation.
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