Medical Plastics

Report Highlights

• The U.S. medical plastics market will reach almost 2.7 billion pounds by the end of 2006 and will grow at an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 4.4%, consuming over 3.3 billion pounds by 2011.
• Commodity thermoplastics dominate the market with a little over 50% of total volume. This sector of the market should consume 1.7 billion pounds by the end of 2011, an AAGR of 4.2%.
• TPEs represent the highest growth rate through the forecast period. In 2006, 137 million pounds were consumed. By the end of 2011, consumption will reach 181 million pounds, a 5.7% AAGR.

INTRODUCTION

Plastics usage in the healthcare field encompasses several distinct markets-predominantly applications for medical devices and related products, and packaging. Market research studies in the past have often combined these two applications, which do not benefit companies exclusively involved in medical devices or medical packaging.

This study will cover plastics usage in medical devices which have sustained average annual growth rates in excess of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The ballooning rate of the aging population in the U.S., continuing cost reduction pressures in the healthcare field, advances in polymer performance, introduction of new and often life-saving devices, and the ever- present environmental/disposable/nondisposable medical device triad warrant an in-depth study as we continue into this decade.

SCOPE OF STUDY

This report contains:
• An initial treatment of the U.S. medical device industry, with a comprehensive overview of the current market and definitions
• Detailed forecasts for the U.S. market through 2011
• Recent and upcoming legislation and regulatory issues and concerns for the medical plastics in medical devices
• Profiles for the top players in the market today
• A details patent analysis.

METHODOLOGY

An extensive review was undertaken of trade and technical literature concerning the use of plastics in medical devices. Following the collection and analysis of this data, unresolved issues were discussed with polymer producers, compounders and medical device manufacturers. The word millions is often abbreviated as MM, and growth rates are annually compounded. All tables not sourced BCC Research were extracted from a variety of trade literature sources.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Research analyst Mel Schlechter has over 40 years in the chemical industry, and specializes in plastics market research. He has been with BCC Research for over 10 years and holds a B.S. in chemistry, M.S. in organic chemistry and a M.B.A. in marketing.