Medical Clothing Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Product (Surgical Drapes, Scrubs & Gowns, Gloves, Facial Protection, Sterilization Wraps, Protective Apparel, and Others), By Type (Disposable and Reusable), By End-user (Hospitals, Outpatient Facilities, Physicians’ Offices, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global medical clothing market size was USD 109.50 billion in 2023. The market is projected to grow from USD 115.24 billion in 2024 to USD 187.53 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period. North America dominated the medical clothing market with a market share of 39.6% in 2023. Moreover, the U.S. medical clothing market is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated value of USD 67.81 billion by 2032, driven by rising demand for innovative products that have improved functionality.

Medical clothing is an integral component of infection control in the healthcare industry. The clothing protects medical professionals from contaminants, infectious materials, and bodily fluids during routine surgical procedures and patient diagnostic interventions. Several medical and health hazards are a part of the work of medical professionals such as nurses, doctors, medical staff, and more. Medical apparel creates a barrier between the potentially infectious material and the healthcare workers, avoiding any damage or adverse effects on their health. The types of protective clothing used in the hospital and medical facilities include surgical gowns, scrubs, drapes, protective facemasks, aprons, boots, coveralls, eye gear, and caps.

Furthermore, factors such as stringent infection control regulations, advancements in fabric technology, and rising focus on healthcare worker safety have led to the demand for healthcare apparel across healthcare settings. Moreover, the rising number of healthcare professionals, the increasing number of inpatients and surgical volumes, and the rising number of market players are the key factors anticipated to propel the growth of the medical clothing market.

• For instance, according to data published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare in 2022, about 735,500 patients were admitted for surgery from public hospital elective surgery waiting lists, an increase of 18.0% compared to 2021–22 in Australia.

The COVID-19 impact was positive on the global market owing to a significant surge in production and sales due to the increased demand for personal protective equipment (PPE), including face masks, face shields, medical gowns, scrubs, and drapes. The surge was driven by several factors, including government mandates regarding using face masks, stockpiling to ensure the availability and steady supply of masks and gloves, and awareness about infection control, which led to high demand among consumers. Moreover, the rapid spread of COVID-19 infection led to the production of vast quantities of medical clothing, further expanding the industry players’ production facilities, a surge in revenues, brand awareness, and significant product penetration.

Medical Clothing Market Trends

Rise in Deployment of Smart Medical Textiles By Market Players Globally

Smart clothing, or e-textiles, incorporates advanced fibers and e-sensor electronics into a shirt, a bandage, or other clothing to perform specific patient care functions. These conductive or smart fibers are woven with standard medical-grade fabric and electronic elements, including microcontrollers, biomedical sensors, wearable antennas, and fiber optics. Smart medical textile captures, records and provides real-time data for vital health statistics such as heart rate, temperature, and respiratory rate.

The number of clinical trials and new product launches is increasing globally, owing to the demand for cost-effective and reliable garments to monitor health and aid in treatment among the population. Moreover, the surge in chronic disease prevalence and the economic burden of the healthcare system has augmented the demand for smart clothing across home and healthcare settings.

• In 2022, Prevayl Limited launched SmartWear, the first sportswear enhanced with clinical-grade ECG. The clothing combines premium sportswear with biometric technology to help the population at any fitness level achieve their optimum health.

Similarly, the rise in the use of electronics and medical technology and the increase in emphasis of key players on the production of advanced clothing across clinical applications such as physiological monitoring among pregnant women and diagnosis of infectious diseases, among others, is contributing to the global market growth.

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Medical Clothing Market Growth Factors

Growing Number of Surgeries to Boost Usage of Surgical Medical Clothing, Propelling the Market Growth 

The increase in the geriatric population has led to a rise in the prevalence of age-related disorders, including cataracts, glaucoma, cardiac arrhythmia, and arthritis, among other conditions. This, along with an increased emphasis on early diagnosis and treatment by initiatives undertaken by various national and regional healthcare agencies, has led to a surge in the number of admissions to inpatient and outpatient departments in healthcare settings globally. Thus, an increase in the number of surgical procedural volumes across hospitals is expected to boost the demand for disposable and reusable products such as medical gowns and surgical drapes, among others.

• According to the German Heart Surgery Report 2022, published in June 2023, around 93,913 cardiac surgeries were performed in 2022 in Germany, which indicated a rise of 1.2% from 2021.

Moreover, a surge in occupationally-acquired infections among healthcare professionals, such as needle stick injury and chronic infections of hepatitis and tuberculosis, among others, further boosts the demand for infection prevention and control measures, such as the use of healthcare protective equipment. Such measures across clinical settings are anticipated to augment global medical clothing market growth.

• According to a 2021 article published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) can prevent upto 35-37% of occupational injuries or diseases.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Increase in Product Recalls and Product Regulatory Reforms May Limit Market Growth

Medical clothing is designed to protect healthcare professionals from infection exposure and spread; however, due to the defects in designs and materials, many products are becoming infection carriers. Manufacturers are focusing on branding and marketing and have limited supervision over the quality of the product. This is leading to compromised infection control and thereby limiting product adoption and market growth.

• In February 2023, 3M issued a Class 2 device voluntary recall for selected models and lots of steri-drape surgical drapes distributed between October 2021 and August 2022. The product was recalled owing to the difficulty in removing the liner on the adhesive component of the affected drapes without damaging the product and rendering the product unusable.


• Cardinal Health issued a voluntary Class 2 device recall for two lots of Protexis surgical gloves distributed between August 2021 and February 2022. The recall was initiated due to the shipping of the affected products from the manufacturing plant to a Cardinal Health distribution centre without undergoing sterilization in August 2021.


• In January 2020, Cardinal Health recalled 9.1 million AAMI Level 3 surgical gowns from hospitals and surgical centres due to potential quality contamination.

Moreover, the rise in the introduction of strict regulatory policies and standard compliance by federal and government agencies toward medical clothing products is expected to hamper the growth of new market entrants across the globe. Similarly, other issues faced by existing players, such as high manufacturing costs, extensive sterilization methods, and product biocompatibility errors, are anticipated to limit the global medical clothing market share.

Medical Clothing Market Segmentation Analysis

By Product Analysis

Growing Awareness about Infection Spread to Augment Surgical Drapes, Scrubs & Gowns Segment Growth

Based on product, the medical clothing market segments are surgical drapes, scrubs & gowns, gloves, facial protection, sterilization wraps, protective apparel, and others.

The surgical drapes, scrubs & gowns segment dominated the global market in 2023. Moreover, the demand for these products is growing due to an increase in awareness about the spread of infections, the rising patient pool, the rise in hygiene awareness, and technological innovations in medical products. In addition, the increasing launch of sustainable, reusable products by industry players further augmented the segment growth.

• In August 2022, Medu Protection, with an initial investment of USD 4.0 million, began trials in Mexican hospitals to develop a line of sustainable, virus-resistant reusable products, including surgical gowns, head coverings and full-body suits.

On the other hand, the facial protection segment is expected to see a balanced rise during the forecast timeframe. This is attributed to the increasing incidence of infectious diseases, growing concerns about safety and hygiene, and stringent mandates about the usage of face masks worldwide, owing to the rise in the concern about COVID-19 infection.

• For instance, in January 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) updated its guidelines on facemask use in community settings, COVID-19 treatments, and clinical management. The update recommended its use irrespective of the local epidemiological situation, given the previous spread of the COVID-19 pandemic globally.

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By Type Analysis

Huge Benefits Offered by Disposable Products to Impel the Segment Growth

On the basis of type, the market is segmented into disposable and reusable.

The disposable segment held the largest share in the global market in 2023.  The dominant share was attributed to an increase in the adoption of medical disposables across healthcare organizations owing to high potential advantages such as lower costs associated with maintenance, repair, replacement, and minimum infection risks, among others. Moreover, the surge in the adoption of disposable products across healthcare settings in developed countries and the high ongoing costs of reusable products for disinfecting supplies, machine maintenance, and labor are expected to propel segment share during the forecast timeframe.

• According to data published by Plastic Surge Industries in December 2022, 90.0% of the surgeries in the U.S. use disposable gowns and surgical drapes, as compared to reusable ones.

On the other hand, the reusable segment held a substantial share in the global market in 2023. The growth was owing to the increasing focus of healthcare centres on the regulation of medical waste, the introduction of environmentally friendly medical products, and the emphasis on long-term cost savings from medical products. Moreover, the shortage of medical disposables supply across the globe further propelled the growth of the reusable segment.

By End-user Analysis

Growing Number of Surgical Procedures at Hospitals to Spur the Segment Growth

By end-user, the market is segmented into hospitals, outpatient facilities, physicians’ offices, and others.

In 2023, the hospitals segment held the leading position in the global medical clothing market. The dominance was attributed to factors such as the growing number of surgical procedures, the rise in patient pool, and the presence of well-equipped infrastructure at hospitals. In addition, the increasing investment in healthcare infrastructure by emerging countries is anticipated to propel the segment’s growth during the forecast period.

• For instance, in November 2023, the Rainbow Hospital announced the launch of 4 new facilities in India with 270 beds in the latter half of 2023.


• The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) published a global report report in 2022. The report data stated that the total number of procedures performed by plastic surgeons in 2022 saw an increase of 11.2%, with more than 18.8 million non-surgical procedures and 14.9 million surgical procedures performed globally.

On the other hand, the outpatient facilities segment is anticipated to showcase the fastest growth during the forecast period. The rapid growth of the segment is attributed to the growing preference of medical professionals to conduct private practices, further contributing to the increasing number of specialty clinics in the region and subsequently drives the demand for medical and nursing scrubs.

• For instance, according to the report published by the Association of American Medical Colleges 2022, the sports medicine saw an increase in the number of practicing physicians from 2,252 to 3,208, i.e., a growth of 42.5% from 2016 to 2021.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Regionally, the market is classified into North America, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America.

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The market size in North America stood at USD 43.36 billion in 2023. On the geographical front, the region dominated the global market in 2023 in terms of market share. The primary factors responsible for the leading position are the developed hospital infrastructure, the growing incidence of several acute and chronic diseases, and the presence of major players involved in product manufacturing. Moreover, the high emphasis of market players on the expansion of the product distribution channel further propelled the regional growth.

• In November 2023, Figs Inc., a healthcare apparel company, launched its first permanent retail store in the U.S. The store being branded a ‘Community Hub’ will boost demand for the product portfolio along with e-commerce sales in the country.


• In July 2021, PROTECH USA announced the introduction of a new production work plant that expanded and enhanced its capacity to produce EZDoff medical gowns for healthcare and other critical industries.

On the other hand, the Asia Pacific is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR during 2024-2032, owing to improving healthcare infrastructure and increasing awareness about safety and hygiene among healthcare professionals in the region. Furthermore, factors such as the increasing focus on manufacturing medical clothing by prominent players and emerging countries such as India and China are anticipated to provide substantial growth opportunities for medical clothing manufacturers.

• In December 2021, DONY VIETNAM COMPANY LIMITED launched the Dony protective coverall designed to provide all-around protection to healthcare workers. The garments offer head-to-toe protection with ease and comfort with a premium antibacterial cloth mask.

Europe accounted for a significant market share in 2023. The stable position of Europe in the global market was due to the growth in product innovation, leading to a rise in new product launches in medical disposables. Similarly, increasing awareness of new initiatives for the introduction of sustainable products across healthcare organizations for economic benefits further boosted the market growth.

• For instance, in 2020, the NHS initiated a pilot project to introduce reusable type IIR-certified face masks in the U.K., with an aim to promote the use of reusable products in the healthcare industry.

Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are likely to experience slow growth in this market during the forecast period due to fewer number of hospitals present in these countries and low healthcare expenditure by governments, leading to slow development of healthcare infrastructure.

List of Key Companies in Medical Clothing Market

Key Players are Moving to Aggressive Pricing Strategies to Gain a Competitive Strength

The global market is fragmented, with several players in 2023. Some of the prominent companies operating in the market have shifted to strategies such as product differentiation, aggressive pricing, and product upgrades to gain competitive strength. Besides these, several companies are creating distribution partnerships aimed at reaching wider audiences, thereby expanding their regional and global footprint. The market is also shifting toward high-value-added products for medical use. Moreover, the technological advancement in the field of healthcare is considerable due to the rising number of surgeries, which, in turn, also increases the use of surgical clothing.

• In August 2022, Molnlycke invested USD 54.4 million in a new plant in Kulim, Malaysia, to expand its production capacity to meet the demand for the supply of high-quality, sustainable surgical gloves.

Due to the exponential increase in the number of infections globally, stocks of protective equipment, which includes medical clothing, are fluctuating. This is aggravated by the supply bottlenecks. Several textile and clothing manufacturers, such as Eterna Mode Holding GmbH, Zara, Rösch Fashion GmbH & Co. KG, and Trigema Inh. W. Grupp e.K. and others have converted and manufactured protective masks and protective medical clothing in their production facilities.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• O&M Halyard Inc. (U.S.)


• ANSELL LTD. (Australia)


• Medline Industries (U.S.)


• Cardinal Health (U.S.)


• Barco Uniforms (U.S)


• Superior Uniform Groups (U.S)


• Semperit AG Holding (Austria)


• 3M Company (U.S)


• Mölnlycke Health Care (Sweden)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• November 2023 – Cardinal Health announced the launch of SmartGown EDGE Breathable surgical gown with assist instrument pockets in the U.S. The new surgical gown provides surgical teams with safe and convenient instrument access in the operating room.


• May 2023 – ANSELL LTD. announced that the company received an AAA credit rating from Institut Cyclos-HTP (CHI) for the surgical gloves smart pack. AAA rating represents the highest recyclability certification.


• February 2023 – Fabletics launched a new 12-piece line of activewear scrubs for men and women. In addition, the company donated scrub sets to 25,000 medical professionals across the U.S. as part of the launch.


• May 2022 – Honeywell International Inc. announced the launch of two new NIOSH-certified respiratory offerings to help meet the needs of healthcare workers. The latest products expand the company’s personal protective equipment (PPE) portfolio for healthcare professionals, incorporating the company’s decades of expertise in producing respiratory protection solutions.


• December 2021- 3M announced that it has ramped up its N95 mask production owing to the increasing demand for N95 masks. The company expanded its production capabilities, which led to increased production to a rate of 2.5 billion N95 respirators.


• June 2021 – Care+Wear and fashion designer Josie Natori announced a new partnership to debut medically superior scrubs that support frontline workers. These innovative scrubs were designed with input from nearly 100 clinicians, medical professionals, and commercial launderers to create a premium line of scrubs at an affordable price.


• May 2020 - Aspen Surgical Products, Inc. announced the acquisition of Precept Medical Products, Inc. The acquisition of Precept strengthened Aspen’s broad portfolio of medical disposables and patient and staff safety products sold into the acute care market.

REPORT COVERAGE

The report provides a detailed analysis of the global market and focuses on key aspects such as leading key players, product types, and leading applications of the products. The analysis offers insights into the market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the aforementioned factors, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the market over recent years. It further highlights some of the growth-stimulating factors and restraints, helping the reader to gain in-depth knowledge about the market.

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Report Scope & Segmentation