Hydrogel Dressing Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Product (Amorphous, Impregnated Dressings, and Sheet Dressings), By Material (Natural, Synthetic, and Semi-synthetic), By Application (Diabetic Foot Ulcer, Pressure Ulcer, Venous Leg Ulcer, Burn Wounds, and Others), By End-user (Hospitals & Clinics, Home Care Settings, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global hydrogel dressing market size was USD 680.1 million in 2023. The market is projected to grow from USD 712.9 million in 2024 to USD 1,145.0 million by 2032 at a CAGR of 6.1% over the forecast period (2024-2032).

The healing of chronic wounds is still a challenge in many parts of the world. Hydrogel dressings have proved successful in clearing the injury owing to their warm and moist healing environment. The moist quality of the dressing is mainly due to the composition of 90% water mixed in a gel made of insoluble hydrophilic polymers. Therefore, due to the above advantages, they are extensively used to treat chronic wounds in patients. For instance, in November 2023, according to the Journal of American Medical Association, diabetic foot ulcers annually affect around 1.6 million in the U.S. and 18.6 million individuals globally. Thus, the increasing prevalence of pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and venous leg ulcers has led to a rise in product demand, thereby driving the growth of the global market.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has had a negative impact on the global hydrogel dressings market. Few market players reported declining revenues due to decreased product demand and sales amid the pandemic. Closure of healthcare facilities dedicated towards wound care department resulted in a halt of patient visits in countries such as the U.S, U.K, India, and others. However, the product revenues by key players increased in 2021 and 2022 due to increasing patient visits and rising adoption of hydrogel dressings. This normalized the market growth post-pandemic.

Hydrogel Dressing Market Trends

Increasing R&D on Novel Hydrogels to Boost Market Growth

In recent years, clinical applications have been proposed for various hydrogel products. Massive research is currently underway to develop novel hydrogel products from natural sources such as animal tissues, plant extracts, extracellular matrix, and others.  Companies are heavily investing in R&D and continuously focusing on bringing positive results from clinical trials. For example, Remedor Biomed Ltd. conducts clinical trials on a hydrogel containing erythropoietin to treat diabetic foot ulcers. In addition, a variety of peptides are also being explored for their wound healing properties in clinical trials. Thus, the conductance of rigorous clinical studies to commercialize novel hydrogel dressing products is anticipated to surge the growth of the global market during the forecast period. Furthermore, the utilization of advanced technologies such as 3D printing and nanotechnology enables the development of highly advanced hydrogel dressings with enhanced properties and functionalities, which is also expected to boost market growth during the forecast period.

Hydrogel Dressing Market Growth Factors

Rising Prevalence of Chronic and Acute Wounds to Propel Market Growth

The increasing prevalence of chronic wounds like diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, and others among the general population is expected to drive the number of patients undergoing treatment and fuel the adoption of wound care products during the forecast period. Also, the increasing incidence of acute wounds, including surgical wounds, burns, and others, among the global population is anticipated to surge the demand for hydrogel wound dressings during the forecast period. For instance, according to the Wound Healing Society (WHS), surgical wounds represent a significant concern in overall healthcare. Surgical site infections (SSI) contribute to mortality in 75.0% of cases worldwide despite all efforts. Therefore, the rising prevalence of infections has exerted a substantial economic burden on the healthcare industry, which is likely to contribute to the launch of advanced products, thus fostering the global Hydrogel Dressing Market growth.

Multiple Advantages of Hydrogel Dressings to Boost Product Demand

Hydrogel dressings are emerging as ideal because when applied to dry wounds and necrotic or sloughing wounds, they keep them clean by removing the infected or necrotic tissues via autolysis. Few advantages include keeping the wound moist, warm, and close; the dressings can be applied along with topical medications and are suitable for treating all types of injuries. Owing to the above-mentioned advantages, the preference for this type of dressings has increased, resulting in high sales growth of the companies. Therefore, rising product demand is anticipated to drive the development of the market during the forecast period.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High Cost of Treatment Coupled with Inadequate Reimbursement Policies to Limit Growth

Despite the high demand for hydrogel dressings globally, certain factors are limiting the market growth. High costs associated with wound care treatment and lack of adequate reimbursement policies are major factors expected to hinder market growth in the forecast period. According to the Institute for Pressure Injury Prevention, the NHS spends around USD 6.48 billion annually on wound care. It was also observed that surgical wounds and leg ulcers were the most expensive ones to treat. Thus, the high cost of treatment for chronic and acute wounds and the rising demand for urgent treatment among patients lead to a huge need for cost-effective wound care products in the market.

Higher out-of-pocket expenditure associated with chronic wound treatment and limited reimbursement has been instrumental in lowering the adoption of these type of dressings in the global market. Moreover, the high cost can also lead to challenges related to the availability and accessibility of hydrogel dressings in certain regions, especially in the developing countries, which may restrict the market expansion. In addition, the high cost may deter healthcare providers from incorporating these products into their treatment plans, hindering the market growth.

Hydrogel Dressing Market Segmentation Analysis

By Product Analysis

Demand for Amorphous Dressings to Augment Segment Growth 

The global market includes amorphous, impregnated dressings, and sheet dressings on the basis of product. The amorphous segment held a dominant share in 2023. The dominance is due to the excessive use of amorphous hydrogel over impregnated and sheet dressings to treat ulcers and wounds, as amorphous have an advantage over others in promoting efficient wound healing.

Additionally, the amorphous dressing segment is anticipated to grow faster during the forecast period due to its increasing demand. The impregnated dressings segment is estimated to have a moderate growth rate owing to its gradual increase in product sales during the analysis period. For instance, demand for AquaSite Hydrogel Impregnated Gauze, SOLOSITE, and others, is likely to contribute to the segment's growth.

The sheet dressings accounted for a considerable market share in 2023. Sheet dressings are designed to absorb excess moisture from the wounds to keep the wound clean and dry. The growing awareness about the importance of proper wound care is leading to the shift of more people toward sheet dressings as an effective treatment option.

By Material Analysis

Usage of Synthetic Dressings for Applications to Contribute Segmental Growth

By material, the market is classified into natural, synthetic, and semi-synthetic. The synthetic segment accounted for a maximum share of the global market due to the availability of highly effective dressings made up of polyethylene glycol, polyacrylic acid, and other synthetic materials to treat wounds. Synthetic dressings help in the formation of an accurate wound healing environment, which is therefore highly preferable in the market, leading to sales growth. Additionally, the natural segment is anticipated to grow faster due to the preference shift towards naturally made hydrogel dressings for effective wound healing in patients.

By Application Analysis

Increasing Diabetic Population to Aid Segmental Growth

The global market is classified into diabetic foot ulcer, pressure ulcer, venous led ulcer, burn injuries/wounds, and others based on application. Another segment comprises surgical wounds, traumatic wounds, and others emerged as the dominant segment in 2023, followed by diabetic foot ulcers marking the second leading position. Growth in the sales of hydrogel dressing products for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers is mainly attributable to the leading position. According to the research studies, the global prevalence of diabetic foot ulcers is estimated to be around 13.5 million patients. Moreover, these ulcers have a more significant healing duration and require frequent treatment, which is responsible for the higher demand for the products. Therefore, the rise in the number of visits for treatment is anticipated to drive the segment's growth during the forecast period. Moreover, venous leg ulcers and pressure ulcers segments are expected to witness a moderate growth rate during 2024-2032.

By End-user Analysis

Hospitals & Clinics Segment to mark Leading Position Backed by Increased Patient Visits

The hospitals & clinics segment marked the leading position in the market owing to the high flow of patients suffering from chronic and acute wounds in hospitals and clinics requiring hydrogel dressings for effective treatment. Additionally, these settings' availability of adequate reimbursement policies in emerging countries is likely to boost the patient preference for treating ulcers or wounds to nearby hospitals or clinics.

Moreover, homecare settings are anticipated to emerge as the fastest-growing segment during the analysis period due to the rise in geriatric patients suffering from wounds in Europe and the Asia Pacific and the rising preference shift among patients from hospital to home care settings. This is expected to drive the product demand, fostering revenue growth in the forecast duration.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

The market size in North America stood at USD 276.0 million in 2023. The region's dominance is attributable to the increasing prevalence of chronic wounds in the U.S., backed by higher demand for these dressings to manage ulcers/wounds. Also, growing healthcare expenditure for the treatment of wounds by the U.S. government is expected to contribute to the segmental growth. For instance, according to several research studies, U.S. healthcare spends an estimated USD 20 billion to treat chronic wounds each year. Moreover, efforts to launch advanced products in the market are anticipated to foster growth during the analysis period. Europe secured the second leading position in the market due to the growing cost burden on European healthcare, demanding effective hydrogel dressings. Moreover, growing government initiatives in reducing the cost burden are also expected to aid in the expansion of the market growth in the forecast period. The Asia Pacific is forecasted to emerge as the fastest-growing region owing to the large patient population with diabetic foot ulcers in the Asian countries demanding a supply of products.

List of Key Companies in Hydrogel Dressing Market

Strategic Partnerships Coupled with Strong Brand Presence to Foster Company Growth

The global market is semi-consolidated in nature, comprising of a few key players dominating the market. The companies marking the leading position include 3M, Smith & Nephew, ConvaTec Group, and Coloplast A/S, accounting for a majority of the hydrogel dressing market share. The strong geographical presence of 3M in more than 90 countries has contributed to large revenue generation leading to dominance. Higher demand for INTRASITE gel and SOLOSITE gel products have contributed to Smith & Nephew’s leading position. Additionally, growing partnerships among the industry players are likely to aid penetration of companies in developing countries, thereby fostering the growth of the market players.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Coloplast A/S (Humlebaek, Denmark)


• 3M (Maplewood, U.S.)


• Smith & Nephew (London, U.K.)


• BSN Medical (Hamburg, Germany)


• Integra LifeScience Corporation (New Jersey, U.S.)


• B. Braun Melsungen AG (Melsungen, Germany)


• ConvaTec Group (Reading, U.K.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• December 2023 - Lavior Pharma Inc. announced the launch of its diabetic hydrogel wound dressing and diabetic first aid gel plant-based creams at Walmart across the U.S.


• June 2023 – Researchers at the University of Waterloo developed a novel hydrogel dressing material using advanced polymers to enhance the healing process for burn and cancer patients.


• December 2022 - NEXGEL Advanced Hydrogel Solutions announced the launch of Turfguard, a unique hydrogel dressing to treat painful turf burns and protect sports-related wounds.


• August 2020 – Integra LifeSciences launched a 360° Advanced Wound Care website to better support its customers. The company said that the website aims to provide focused and easy-to-access content, product information, and educational videos.


• August 2020 – One Equity Partners and The Silverfern Group together acquired a wound-care company American Medical Technologies (AMT). AMT provides advanced dressings, bedside clinical education and other technologies for clinical and risk management.


• May 2019 – 3M announced the acquisition of Acelity Inc., one of the manufacturers of wound dressings and other products.

REPORT COVERAGE

The Hydrogel Dressing Market research report offers a detailed analysis and industry forecast of the market. It focuses on key aspects such as leading companies, product types, and leading applications of the product. Besides, the report offers insights into the market trends, opportunity analysis, and industry highlights. In addition to the aforementioned factors, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the overall market's growth over the recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation