According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), 8.3% of patients admitted to intensive-care units (ICUs) for more than two days were affected by at least one ICU-acquired healthcare-associated infection (HAI) in European countries in 2017. These patients were affected by HAIs such as urinary tract infection (UTI), pneumonia, and bloodstream infection. Similarly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that on any given day, around 1 in 31 patients in hospitals of the U.S. have at least one HAI.
To reduce the cases of HAIs, doctors around the world are using antimicrobial coatings, as they help in preventing the spread of viral, bacterial, and fungal particles on a surface. Thus, the surging concerns among healthcare professionals regarding HAIs are expected to drive the antimicrobial coatings market growth during the forecast period (2021–2030). According to P&S Intelligence, the market generated around $3.6 billion revenue in 2020. Moreover, the increasing implementation of government regulations on imparting knowledge on safety and hygiene will also contribute to the market growth worldwide.
Additionally, the increasing number of research activities in this domain will also fuel the usage of antimicrobial coatings in the coming years. Currently, coating manufacturers are engaging in research and development (R&D) on antimicrobial coatings to eliminate various types of microbes breeding on a range of surfaces. Additionally, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is also encouraging the coating manufacturers in developing products that can dismantle the cell structure of the virus. For example, several types of nanoparticles have proven effective in inactivating viruses, such as coronavirus.
The product segment of the antimicrobial coatings market is divided into surface modifiers and powder. Of these, the powder category accounted for a larger market share in 2020 because powder coatings can alter properties of surface materials by introducing biological, chemical, and physical attributes. In comparison to surface modifiers, powder coatings are less toxic and more durable. The powder category is further classified into copper, silver, and others, such as polymer, zinc-based compound, organic compound, and quaternary ammonium compound (QAC).
In addition to the medical and healthcare sector, these antimicrobial coatings are also used in the food and beverage, transportation, packaging, building and construction, and consumer electronics industries. These products are also used to eliminate bacteria and viruses from the surface of protective clothing, appliances, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Just like in preceding years, the medical and healthcare sector will consume the highest volume of such coatings in the upcoming years to check the spread of HAIs.
Geographically, North America held the largest share in the antimicrobial coatings market in 2020 due to the rising number of non-residential construction projects, such as academic/research institutions, schools, and hospitals. Besides, companies dealing in HVAC systems and indoor air quality focusing on coating their products to prevent microbial growth, owing to the increasing implementation of stringent hygiene regulations, which will also boost the market growth in the region.
Therefore, the soaring prevalence of HAIs and the surging research activities will encourage the adoption of antimicrobial coatings in the foreseeable future.
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