The benefits and growth of antimicrobial medical devices

David Hall, managing director of BioCote, explains more about the company’s antimicrobial technology and its growth potential. 

Antimicrobial technology provides permanent protection against the growth of a wide range of microbes and, according to recent reports, demand for antimicrobial plastic products and coatings in the medical and healthcare sectors is increasing. BioCote’s antimicrobial additives are used in the production of a range of medical devices and equipment, from ventilators and breathing circuits to hospital beds and examination tables.

In the medical and healthcare sectors, antimicrobial technology is primarily used to strengthen the stringent cleaning and handwashing regimes that are commonplace in hospitals, health centres, clinics and surgeries. Medical devices, products and equipment containing integrated antimicrobial additives are protected against the growth of a wide range of microbes, making them easier to keep clean and reducing the risk of cross-contamination.

Integrating antimicrobial additives   

Plastic antimicrobial medical items are created by integrating antimicrobial additives directly into the plastic material during manufacturing. Alternatively, additives can be manufactured into a coating to subsequently apply to existing medical devices or equipment. Antimicrobial technology might be used on an entire item, or just on key touchpoints – such as side guards, buttons and levers on a patient stretcher.

Antimicrobial additives are made from antimicrobial materials (‘active ingredients’). We typically use silver ion for healthcare applications – it is well proven and offers excellent efficacy. Additives are supplied to our partner customers as a concentrated powder, a liquid suspension or as masterbatch pellets, depending on the type of product being treated and its end use, and the production process.

Antimicrobial benefits

Once additives are integrated, the treated product or coating becomes antimicrobial, and will be permanently and continuously protected against the growth of a wide range of bacteria, mould, fungi and some viruses – providing the product or coating itself is not compromised.

As an example, the number of microbes on a plastic surface protected with our technology can be reduced by up to 86% in 15 minutes and by up to 99.99% in a 24-hour period. Our technology is effective against E. coli, MRSA, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria and influenza A H1N1, and also reduces a strain of feline Coronavirus by 90% in two hours.

Preventing the growth of microbes also reduces unpleasant odours, staining and material degradation – helping to extend product longevity. 

Market growth

Recent reports forecast market growth for antimicrobial plastic products and coatings – partly attributed to increasing demand from the medical and healthcare sectors.

A MarketsandMarkets’ report estimates the antimicrobial plastics market will grow from $36.9 billion in 2020 to $59.8 billion by 2025, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.1%. Meanwhile, a report from Grand View Research says the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2020 to 2027. Healthcare is said to have led the market; almost 45% of current production is being utilised in medical equipment, and the healthcare end use segment accounted for more than 31% share of global revenue in 2019, according to the MarketsandMarkets and Grand View Research reports, respectively.

Furthermore, a ReportLinker report on global coatings for the medical devices industry projects the antimicrobial segment will grow at a 6.3% CAGR, to reach $5.3 billion by 2026 (the whole global market for coatings for medical devices, estimated at $10 billion in 2020, is projected to reach $14 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 5.8%).

In recent years, BioCote has seen the breadth of its healthcare sector partners – and the type of products being treated – increase. We work with manufacturers of breathing apparatus (such as ventilators and breathing circuits), aerosol therapy accessories and items like catheters, endoscopes and vaginal dilators. Other partners include producers of disposable gloves and staff pagers. We also partner with manufacturers of antimicrobial beds, examination tables and patient stretchers, and assistive and accessible bathroom solutions. Antimicrobial technology is also frequently integrated into other high-touch surfaces, such as door handles, switches and buttons, as well as floors, wall cladding and lighting.

Working continuously to provide long-lasting protection against the growth of microbes, antimicrobial technology complements cleaning and hand-hygiene procedures, helping to keep healthcare environments hygienically clean. Manufacturers of medical devices and equipment are therefore increasingly integrating antimicrobial additives into their products – and this growth is set to continue.