Sterilization Technologies Advancing into the 21st Century

Report Highlights

• Sterilization is an unrecognized element in a vast number of industries and manufacturing processes and there is an ongoing need for effective, safe, rapid and economic methods. Many products are regulated and monitored by the government for microbe control procedures and contamination levels and they cannot be sold unless they are sterilized. Other products benefit from sterilization, even if not mandated by law.
• Sterilization methods are more than a century old. Processes for performing sterilization basically have remained unchanged, but the efficiency and performance of devices is changing and evolving, as are the materials that are being sterilized. Therefore, it is important to understand the various sterilization methods and their uses and to know the changes and directions sterilization technology is taking.
• This report attempts to discuss all areas of the market and to identify significant suppliers, end market size and government and regulatory factors. Participating companies will be discussed with regard to relative market share, marketing strengths, participation in new segments and innovative marketing practices.

INTRODUCTION

STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The objective of this report is to describe and discuss changes in the sterilization industry since BCC last looked at it in July 1993. The products and services provided by this industry have greatly increased in demand as a result of worldwide growth in commercial applications of infection control.

BCC's major objective is to estimate U.S. sales of sterilization products and revenues from sterilization services. In addition, we will forecast product sales and service revenues through 2004. The overall goal is to provide the reader with insights and data of a professional nature for a complete understanding of this industry.

REASONS FOR DOING THIS STUDY

Sterilization is an unrecognized element in a vast number of industries and manufacturing processes and there is an ongoing need for effective, safe, rapid and economic methods. Many products are regulated and monitored by the government for microbe control procedures and contamination levels and they cannot be sold unless they are sterilized. Other products benefit from sterilization, even if not mandated by law.

Sterilization methods are more than a century old. Processes for performing sterilization basically have remained unchanged, but the efficiency and performance of devices is changing and evolving, as are the materials that are being sterilized. Therefore, it is important to understand the various sterilization methods and their uses and to know the changes and directions sterilization technology is taking.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE STUDY AND FOR WHOM

This report should prove of particular value to both sterilization market participants, suppliers and observers, as well as to investors and venture capitalists, since it provides details on the United States sterilization industry market, including:

• market size, structure and dynamics, both current and through 2004
• changes in traditional practices
• new marketing concepts and trends
• changes in technology
• impact of outside influences such as government regulators with particular emphasis on the identification of potential market barriers
• identification and analysis of new distribution systems with particular emphasis on their cost-saving benefits to drug consumers
• corporate strategies
• international aspects of the market.

SCOPE AND FORMAT

In preparing this report, the entire sterilization industry was examined, with particular emphasis on those companies developing innovative technologies and those employing innovative marketing strategies to become the market leaders of the 21^st century.

The study focuses on sterilization processes, including:

• heating methods: autoclaving, retorting, pasteurization and others.
• gas sterilization: ethylene oxide and other gases
• radiation sterilization: gamma, electron-beam, x-ray and ultraviolet sterilization
• filter sterilization.

This report attempts to discuss all areas of the market and to identify significant suppliers, end market size and government and regulatory factors. Participating companies will be discussed with regard to relative market share, marketing strengths, participation in new segments and innovative marketing practices.

METHODOLOGY

Data for this study were collected using both primary and secondary data research techniques. A literature search of BCC's extensive library was conducted, as well as searches of medical and libraries. BCC also conducted extensive interviews with industry personnel, professional and trade organizations, government agency personnel, observers, scientists and industry professionals.

All data collected refer to the U.S. or sales by U.S. companies, unless otherwise indicated. These data were analyzed by BCC personnel for specific findings and forecasts (in constant dollars through 2004.) Once these forecasts were obtained, they were validated by industry experts. Consequently, all estimates provided in this report represent a consensus opinion of BCC personnel, industry participants and industry observers.

INFORMATION SOURCES

Information contained in this report includes data obtained from government agencies, corporate publications and findings from industry trade associations. Other information sources include interviews with industry leaders, universities, dentists, dental centers, government and professional agencies and trade associations. Further information was obtained through an extensive literature search.