Normal Saline for Parenteral Use Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Plastic Bottles and Glass Bottles), By Application (Intramuscular Injection and Intravenous Injection), and Regional Forecast, 2020-2026

The global normal saline for parenteral use market was USD 2.88 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 3.71 billion by 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period.           

Normal saline is used extensively in hospitals for a wide range of conditions such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, wound dressing, sepsis, hemorrhage, and others. According to the Victorian Agency for Health Information, neonatal sepsis occurs in 1 to 8 per 1,000 live births in Victoria, Australia. Globally, neonatal sepsis occurs in around 1 to 50 per 1,000 live births annually. This rising incidence of sepsis among neonates is poised to surge for normal saline for parenteral use sales.

Furthermore, increasing government guidelines and recommendations for use of 0.9% sodium chloride and fluid resuscitations on critical conditions are poised to provide a considerable boost to the market. Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC), a joint collaboration of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM), recommends the use of crystalloid fluids for resuscitation during septic shock, which is adopted by many hospitals and academic associations. Moreover, 0.9% NaCl is one of the most commonly used crystalloid fluids, which is propelling the growth of the market.

Decrease in Demand for IV Fluids amid COVID-19 Pandemic to Stall Market Growth

COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the healthcare sector. The pandemic has increased the burden on healthcare professionals and hospitals. In order to dedicate all the healthcare resources for the management of COVID-19 patients, the governments worldwide have decided to postpone or cancel elective and non-urgent surgeries. According to CovidSurg, over 28 million elective surgeries are estimated to have gotten canceled globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic during the 12-week period of peak disruption. Moreover, the NHS directives will lead to around 2.1 million operations being postponed in England.

The sharp decline in the number of surgeries has negatively impacted the demand for IV fluids including normal saline.

• ICU Med’s IV Solutions product line witnessed a decrease of 10.3% in its revenue in the first six months of 2020 when compared to the same period in 2019.          


• Similarly, the medication delivery segment of Baxter reported a decline of 1.6% during the first half of 2020.

The pandemic has also decreased patient volumes in specialty clinics and care centers, resulting in fewer hospital admissions. These factors are expected to negatively impact market growth.

LATEST TRENDS

Request a Free sample to learn more about this report.

Increased Demand for Saline Due to the Flu Season to Boost the Market

There is an increased demand for intravenous saline products, which are used to hydrate and deliver medications to patients hospitalized during the flu season. Flu seasons that have H3N2 as the more predominant strain of the Influenza A virus as compared to H1N1 lead to more severe complications and result in a considerable increase in flu-related hospitalizations.                                                                         

The worst season of influenza is estimated to cause up to 50 million infections and lead to around 70,000 deaths in the European Union. During 2018-2019, 35.52 million influenza infection cases were reported in the U.S., resulting in a total of 490,561 hospital admissions. Prolonged flu season, particularly in the U.S., increases the demand for normal saline for parenteral use to multiple folds.

DRIVING FACTORS

Increasing Usage of Normal Saline for Dehydration and Sepsis to Boost Demand

Saline has become the IV fluid of choice in hospital settings for the management of various conditions such as dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, and management of fluid resuscitation in various critical conditions. Furthermore, among neonates, administration of 0.9% sodium chloride is the first step in the management of sepsis, hyponatremia, hypernatremia, and fluid deficits or imbalances due to certain medical conditions.

IV fluids are one of the most common medical interventions used globally. Apart from this, 0.9% NaCl is by far the most commonly used IV fluids. For instance, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, in the U.S., around 200 million liters of saline are sold annually. Furthermore, over 1 million liters of 0.9% sodium chloride are administered to patients across the world daily. This increasing uptake of saline across various medical specialties in hospitals and clinics is a major factor augmenting the normal saline for parenteral use market growth.                                                       

Rising Hospital Admissions & Surgical Procedures to Foster Market Growth

Increasing number of hospital admissions in ICUs and NICUs is resulting in the increasing demand for normal saline for parenteral use. The majority of in-patients are administered with saline solutions during their stay in hospitals. According to the NHS, there are more than 5 million acute hospital admissions annually, and it is expected that the majority of the patients are exposed to intravenous fluid therapy.

According to the Admissions and Transitions Optimization Program, more than half a million hospital admissions annually in the U.S. are for dehydration. Thus, growing hospital admissions coupled with the increase in the number of surgeries are anticipated to fuel market growth.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Studies Suggesting Replacement of Saline with Balanced Fluids to Restrict Market Growth

Various studies have shown that using balanced IV fluids instead of saline reduces the risk of death and kidney damage significantly among hospitalized patients. One such study estimated that switching from saline to balanced IV fluids can result in around 60,000 fewer deaths and 100,000 fewer cases of kidney failure in the U.S. Another study conducted by Vanderbilt University concluded that for every 100 hospitalized patients that were given balanced fluids instead of saline, there was one fewer death or severe kidney problem, which is a huge impact in the context of over 35 million hospitalizations that happen in the U.S. annually.

The usage of balanced fluids in healthcare facilities in Europe and Australia have also increased due to the growing awareness about the harm saline can do to a patient’s kidneys. Usage of saline in the public healthcare system in Australia reduced from 7.4 million liters in 2013 to 7.3 million liters in 2014 even when the number of patient admissions to public hospitals has been growing by 3-4% annually. Thus, the gradual shift towards balanced fluids is anticipated to hamper the market growth.

SEGMENTATION

By Type Analysis

To know how our report can help streamline your business, Speak to Analyst

Advantage of Plastic Bottles over Glass is Propelling Segment Growth

Based on type, the market can be segmented into plastic bottles and glass bottles. The plastic bottles segment is projected to dominate the normal saline for parenteral use market share throughout the forecast period. Rising preference for plastic bottles over the glass to prevent breakage during supply and increasing strategic collaborations for IV fluids are the primary reasons for the growth of this segment. For instance, in March 2018, Grifols S.A. announced a distribution agreement with Henry Schein Inc. As per the terms of the agreement, Henry Schein will market and distribute Grifols normal saline bag in the U.S. The product type is currently manufactured in Grifols manufacturing unit in Spain, having a production capacity of 50 million units per year.

When compared to plastic containers, glass bottles do not have the tendency to react with the solution stored inside them. This, coupled with the rising incidence of dehydration and the increasing number of NICUs, is projected to augment the growth rate of the glass bottles segment.                                                                                            

By Application Analysis

Intravenous Segment to Witness Maximum Growth

On the basis of application, the overall market for normal saline for parenteral use can be segmented into intramuscular injection and intravenous injection. The intravenous segment accounted for the major portion of the market in 2019. Intravenous injection is the most preferred route of administration for normal saline, which is the primary reason for the dominant share of the segment. Apart from this, the rising incidence of vomiting, diarrhea, and food poisoning are expected to augment the intravenous segment growth.

The intramuscular route is less painful when compared to intravenous as it is less invasive. This makes intramuscular administration an easy procedure. This is likely to propel the growth of the segment.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

To get more information on the regional analysis of this market, Request a Free sample

The market size in North America stood at USD 1.10 billion in 2019. Factors attributable to the dominant share of the region are the strategic presence of key players and the rising uptake of 0.9% NaCl. According to the FDA database, even after two years of Hurricane Maria, hospitals in the U.S. are facing a shortage of saline solutions. The dearth of normal saline created an opportunity for manufacturers to invest in expanding their production capacities. This is expected to augment market growth in North America.

Asia Pacific is expected to hold a second prominent position in the market. The market in Asia Pacific is likely to grow primarily due to the rising number of hospital admissions, rising geriatric population, and an expanding patient population. According to the Asia Pacific Sepsis Alliance, the estimated national sepsis incidence in this region ranges from 120 up to 1,600 per 100,000, which is likely to propel the growth of the market in Asia Pacific.

To know how our report can help streamline your business, Speak to Analyst

Active support from governments through the recommendations from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) on 0.9% sodium chloride administration is poised to surge the market in Europe.

The market in Latin America and the Middle East & Africa is projected to grow owing to the improving healthcare infrastructure, high prevalence of dehydration in Sub-Saharan Africa, and a significant increase in the number of hospitals.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Baxter and Kelun Group to Hold Leading Position in Market Competition

In terms of revenue, Baxter held a dominating position in the market. The company is a leader in IV fluids and has an established distribution network and customer base. This is one of the key factors for the prominent position of the company in the market. On the other hand, a firm hold in China and high manufacturing capacity are factors attributable to the second leading position of the Kelun Group.

Manufacturers such as ICU Medical, Fresenius Kabi AG, SSY Group Limited, and others are focusing on R&D and strategic collaborations to strengthen their market position. This is expected to intensify market competition.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Baxter (Illinois, U.S.)


• Kelun Group (Sichuan, China)


• B. Braun Melsungen AG (Melsungen, Germany)


• Fresenius Kabi AG (Bad Homburg, Germany)


• SSY Group Limited (Hong Kong)


• ICU Medical (Illinois, U.S.)


• Double-Crane Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (China)


• Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan)


• Cisen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Shandong, China)


• Pharmally International Holding Co., Ltd. (Shandong, China)


• Other prominent players

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• April 2018 – B Braun Medical Inc. announced that they have received approval from U.S. FDA for their 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP in the Ecoflac Plus container. By adding Ecoflac Plus, B Braun will expand their offering for IV solutions and will provide an additional option for administering 0.9% sodium chloride injections.


• May 2019 – B Braun Medical Inc. announced about the investment of USD 1.0 billion new as well as existing manufacturing facilities. This investment was done to address the shortage of IV Saline and fluids after the landfall in Puerto Rico due to hurricane marina.


• June 2017: Grifols announced that they have received approval from the U.S. FDA to commercialize their 500 ml physiological saline solutions in all the hospitals in the U.S. region. This approval leads to new opportunities for the company for future authorizations along with being an important step towards marking their presence in the global market.

REPORT COVERAGE

An Infographic Representation of Normal Saline for Parenteral Use Market

View Full Infographic

To get information on various segments, share your queries with us

The normal saline for parenteral use market report includes an elaborative analysis of numerous factors affecting the global market. Information on market trends, drivers, opportunities, threats, and restraints of the market can further help stakeholders to gain valuable insights into the market. The report offers a detailed competitive landscape by presenting information on key players, market share by manufacturers, along with their strategies, in the market.

Report Scope & Segmentation