Rising Demand for Surgical Drapes, Gowns, and Gloves

Rising awareness of nosocomial infections and an increase in surgical procedures is driving a demand for surgical drapes, gowns, and gloves. These are the latest findings from Frost & Sullivan (Palo Alto, CA, USA), an international consulting firm.

The European surgical drapes, gowns, and gloves markets are moving slowly toward maturity and are dominated by few large market participants. The growth rates for the market are modest, yet steady. In addition, the major factor driving market growth is the European medical directive EN 13795, which has set high standards of quality for surgical drapes and gowns. More often than not, these standards are met only by the disposable drapes and gowns market. As a result, the conversion to disposable surgical drapes and gowns is likely to gain momentum. On the other hand, the surgical gloves market has reached saturation in the powder-free segment and is expected to see conversion to synthetic alternatives.

Market participants will need to acquire or form alliances with companies that can help them broaden their product portfolio, rather than increase their market share. By expanding their product portfolio, companies will be able to participate in multi-product tenders, which help to reduce costs and provide multi-modal healthcare solutions.

"With challenges such as price erosion, consolidation and the search for cost-effective solutions, the markets are reaching a stage of saturation,” said Frost & Sullivan research analyst Ms. Sabita Ramachandran. "The decline in prices means that the profit margins of participants are limited and this is affecting R&D investments, which are crucial for maturing markets.”

Frost & Sullivan found that the surgical drapes, gowns and gloves markets in Europe earned revenues of US$751.6 million in 2006 and estimates this to reach $1.9 billion in 2013.


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