Antimicrobial Additives Market Size, Share & Industry | 2031

Report Description

The global antimicrobial additives market size was valued at USD 5.15 billion in 2022 is projected to reach USD 9.63 billion by 2031, and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period, 2023–2031. The growth of the market is attributed to the rising awareness of health-related issues among consumers.

An antimicrobial additive is an active agent which inhibits the life or growth of microbes when included in the processing of a material. These microbes include fungi, bacteria, algae, mold, and viruses. Antimicrobial additives also help to prevent the surface of equipment, devices form bacteria and microbes. Harmful or disease-causing microorganisms are usually spread through airborne droplets by coughing and sneezing.

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These droplets settle on the surface or food and spread to another person if they come in contact. They are capable of surviving on the surface for the whole day. Some of the microbes are able to survive around 90 days on the surface. For instance, Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is kind of diseases-causing microorganisms usually found in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and medical offices. 

Antimicrobial additives provide high dimensional stability, chemical stability, heat, and chemical resistance. Moreover, hydrogen peroxide includes environmental toxicity issues and it is not effective in inhibiting disease-causing microbes.

Therefore, antimicrobial additives are incorporated while manufacturing healthcare products and others. Inorganic antimicrobial additives including copper, silver, and zinc, are formulated into different forms such as liquid suspension, concentrated powder, or masterbatch pellet depending on the manufacturing method and board substance.

Antimicrobial additives are categorized depending upon the type of microbial action including bactericides and bacteriostatic. Bacteriocidal additives agent kills bacteria and bacteriostatic additives agent prevents the growth of bacteria. Antimicrobial additives are used to produce packaging products for beverages, food, and medical industries as they prevent microbial contamination. 

COVID-19 Impact 

The COVID-19 pandemic has positive impact on the antimicrobial additives market. The coronavirus outbreak has brought attention to the need for antimicrobial compounds in preventing the transmission of viruses that infect human beings. Incorporation of antimicrobial additives while manufacturing healthcare products such as masks, protective equipment, and other medical wear eliminates the risk of the spread of the virus.

Furthermore, antimicrobial additives emit volatile organic compounds (VOC) during their manufacturing which affects several health-related disorders including shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, skin problems, and others. Exposure to volatile organic compounds in high concentrations causes irritation to the lungs and kidneys, and damage to the liver, and central nervous system.

The demand for VOC-containing products is dropped, owing to the increase in regulatory pressure and rise in public awareness regarding health issues and adverse environmental effects. Additionally, a number of regulatory authorities, similar to the European Union and the United States Environmental protection Agency (US EPA), have established standards and guidelines to limit the use of organic or hazardous substances in the production of antimicrobial additives.  

The variable price of the raw materials required to create antimicrobial additives and the pricing of the finished product has been hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The market is anticipated to return to normal, as the US and China, among other nations, are recovering and carrying on with their usual business.   

Antimicrobial Additives Market Dynamics 

The report presents a complete market overview, and market dynamics by focusing on the current market trends, existing drivers, growth opportunities, and emerging challenges that shape the outcome or overall performance of the market during the forecast period, 2022 to 2030. 

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Major Drivers: Rising awareness about health-related issues among consumers  

The research report finds that the rising awareness about health-related issues among consumers drives the market growth. The demand for antimicrobials in the medical and healthcare sectors is rising as consumer knowledge of the value of antimicrobial additions is expanding quickly. The rising regulations have made key manufacturers of antimicrobial additives produce green, non-hazardous, and sustainable antimicrobial additives.

For instance, Henkel AG & Co. KGAA provides sustainable polyurethane adhesives for bonding applications in construction materials without the addition of formaldehyde. In addition, Sika AG, a top producer of antimicrobial additives, is looking at sustainable possibilities for its structural adhesive products in order to keep up with global sustainability trends. 

Current Restraints: Growing prices of raw materials

The growing prices of raw materials are expected to hamper the market during the forecast period. Copper, silver, and zinc are the primary raw minerals utilized in the production of products containing antimicrobial compounds.

These raw materials are highly expensive. Silver antimicrobial high price prevents them from being used in many items. The basic elements required to make antimicrobial goods are actively traded commodities, such as zinc and silver, and their prices change constantly.

These variations influence the final cost of antimicrobial additives. For instance, despite silver great antibacterial characteristics, its recent skyrocketing price has prompted producers to search for alternate substitutes.

The high production costs of silver-based antibacterial additives raise the total cost of the products and have an impact on the producer’s profit margins. Moreover, the market is anticipated to hinder during the projected period, due to the strict environmental rules. 

Market Opportunities: Increasing demand for product innovation and technological advancement

According to an article written by a project procurement community called B2B purchase, the buyers are aware of the need of choosing environmentally friendly products. As a result, the development of safe and sustainable antimicrobial additions is expected to create lucrative opportunities for the expansion of the antimicrobial additives market during the forecast period.

The rising demand for non-toxic plastics with enhanced properties including hardness, high antimicrobial activity, durability, and transparency is anticipated to propel the market growth. Antimicrobial additives that are affordable and adhere to the minimal criteria are used in many products including medical equipment, food packaging, and bottles by many large-scale plastic and paint & coatings manufacturers. 

Scope of Antimicrobial Additives Market Report

The report on the global antimicrobial additives market includes an assessment of the market trends, segments, and regional markets. Overview and dynamics have also been included in the report.

Market Segment Insights 

Plastic segment to expand at a considerable CAGR

On the basis of applications, the antimicrobial additives market is segmented into pulp & paper, plastic, paints & coatings, and others. The plastic segment is projected to expand at a considerable CAGR and accounted for a 34% share of the global revenue in 2021. Antimicrobial additives are incorporated during the production process of plastics.

This process offers durability and resistance against various microbes. Plastic is used in the manufacturing of food containers, surgical items, breathing apparatuses, and soap dispensers, owing to its adaptability. Moreover, plastic is prone to microbial growth including mold and bacteria.

This, in turn, reduces the shelf life of the product. Plastic products that are used in the construction sector such as pipes, roofs, vinyl slides, insulation, and others are vulnerable to discoloration and degradation. Other than this, yoga mats, electronic parts, sports equipment, automotive interiors, and signage are made from plastics.  

 All forms of paints and varnishes, including water, solvent, oil, and powder-based includes antimicrobial ingredients. For instance, silver-based additives are used with paints to give cost-effective protection solutions. Furthermore, antimicrobial additives are added to lacquers and inks for durable top-coat protection when applied on metal, paper, and plastic. 

The pulp & paper segment is anticipated to account for a major market share during the forecast period. Pulp & paper is a diversified industry as it includes specialized papers for newspaper, currency printing, tissue manufacture, and currency printing, and paperboards used in packaging. Paper products need to be microbe-resistant before being used in various end-use applications, as the dirt quickly accumulates on paper.  

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Inorganic segment to hold a significant share of the market

Based on product types, the market is divided into organic antimicrobial additives and inorganic antimicrobial additives. The inorganic segment is expected to hold a significant share of the market in the coming years and accounted for a 52.6% share of the global revenue in 2021. The increasing demand for copper, silver, and zinc-based is anticipated to propel the market growth during the forecast period.

Copper salts act as antimicrobial agents in sterilized and preservative applications with underlying substrates or layers being coatings, paints, and polymers. Silver-based products are utilized as antimicrobial agents due to their qualities, including their eco-friendliness, non-toxicity, long-lasting performance, resistance to microbial growth, and high thermal stability. Zinc pyrithione is an antimicrobial additive that offers excellent antibacterial protection against fungi and mold spores.  

The organic segment is projected to expand slowly during the forecast period, as the sales, usage of triclosan, and OBPA are being prohibited due to their high levels of toxicity. However, when organic antimicrobial additives are used with materials and products, including coatings and paints, provide lifelong protection against decoloring, odor-causing microbes, and stains.

For instance, triclosan inhibits the growth of microbes by penetrating and damaging their cell walls with the help of a chemical reaction. The harm to other cell activities caused by the perforation and exclusion of the metabolites prohibits microorganisms including algae and bacteria from reproducing. 

Healthcare segment to expand at a substantial CAGR

On the basis of end-users, the antimicrobial additives market is segregated into automotive, healthcare, construction, food & beverages, and others. The healthcare segment is anticipated to expand at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period, due to the increasing demand for healthcare products and due to the growing geriatric population. 

The healthcare segment accounts for a 26% share of the global revenue in 2021. The healthcare of the hospital environment is crucial for patients, particularly in the case of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs). Hospital-acquired infections develop in patients while they are hospitalized, and are typically brought on by bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, one in every 25 individuals is diagnosed with HAI each year in the country. HAIs can result in extended hospital stays, a rise in patient costs, and readmission after release can take place.

The interest in creating techniques and solutions to lower the risk of HAIs has therefore risen due to these difficulties. A step towards reducing the danger of such illnesses is the addition of antimicrobial compounds to medical equipment and furniture used in healthcare facilities. 

The food & beverages segment is expected to hold a significant share of the market, due to changing lifestyles of consumers and due to the increasing population.  The food & beverages sector continuously utilized antimicrobial additives in flooring, shelving, food processing equipment, ice-making machines, storage containers, water hydration systems, and food processing equipment. 

Asia Pacific is anticipated to constitute a key market share

In terms of regions, the antimicrobial additives market is classified as Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific is expected to constitute a key share of the market during the forecast period and accounted for a 38% share of the global revenue in 2021.

The demand for the product is anticipated to develop due to strong production bases of the automotive industries in Japan, China, and India as well as rising passenger car sales. 

The market is driven by the expansion of the key end-use sectors including healthcare, transportation, building, food and beverages, and packaging. Moreover, the government of India implements beneficial policies similar to Foreign Direct investments (FDI), and Make in India is expected to open up a wide range of development potential for the car sector.

The vehicle sector is projected to benefit from these activities, which are anticipated to improve product consumption for automotive applications. The Production Linked incentive (PLI) programs for the car sector have been approved by the India government to receive planned investments of USD 5.87 billion. The increasing need for antimicrobial additives in industrial equipment, containers, and machinery is expected to drive market growth. 

One of the main causes of the product demand is expanding construction sector in the developing countries of Asia Pacific and rising infrastructure investments by the governments of India and China.

However, COVID-19 had a negative impact on the regional economy as there was cross-border commerce among the economies. The healthcare segment is driving the region’s product demand, due to the increasing use of surgical drapes, syringes, and personal protective apparel. 

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