Market Overview
Plasma sterilizes by a process called oxidation. The plasma produces a chemical reaction in which all microorganisms are deactivated. The high heat turns the molecules of the hydrogen peroxide into free radicals, which are highly unstable.
The global plasma sterilizer market is US$ XX million in 2023 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of XX% during the forecast period (2024-2031) to reach a value of US$ XX million in 2031.
The plasma sterilizer market is driven by factors such as the increasing prevalence of hospital acquired infections, surge in number of surgical procedures, advancements in the plasma sterilizer equipment's, rising initiatives in research and development and others help the market to drive during the forecast period.
The North America region is expected to hold the largest market share owing to the strong presence of major players and increasing demand for plasma sterilizers, novel equipment launches by key players in the region and other factors help the region to have largest market share during the forecast period.
Market Drivers
Rise in prevalence of hospital acquired infections (HAIs)
The rise in the prevalence of hospital-acquired infections is one of the key factors that drives the market during the forecast period.
Plasma sterilization of equipment is a well-established technology in medicine. It works at the atomic-molecular level and therefore can reach all surfaces, including the interior of hollow needle injections and other regions not accessible to fluid disinfectants.
Increasing cases of HAIS in hospitals and other healthcare settings have contributed to a surge in the demand for sterilization equipment as a result of COVID-19 spreading.
Additionally, the increasing number of long-term hospitalizations in developing countries results in the emergence of various HAIS among patients, including infections of the bloodstream, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Owing to the factors like increase in the prevalence of HAIs and other factors help the market to grow during the forecast period.
For instance, The CDC reports that healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) in American hospitals cause an estimated 1.7 million infections and 99,000 deaths annually. Urinary tract infections, surgical site infections, lung pneumonia, and bloodstream infections account for 32%, 22%, and 15% of these infections respectively.
Market Restraints
High cost associated with equipment
The high initial expenses of adopting low-temperature plasma sterilizers may hinder market expansion. While modern sterilization systems provide innovative and effective solutions, their relatively high initial costs might be prohibitive, especially for smaller healthcare organizations or those working on a tight budget.
Financial issues surrounding the initial expenditure may impact purchase decisions, limiting the general use of low-temperature plasma sterilizers in particular contexts.
Plasma sterilization is a new technique for decontaminating thermolabile products without the severe drawbacks associated with gas sterilization methods (residues, environment compatibility). The actual costs, per sterilization unit, of three sterilization techniques--plasma, ethylene oxide and formaldehyde--were compared.
In India, Plasma Sterilizer product price in India ranges from 250 to 40,00,000 INR and minimum order requirements from 1 to 1,000.
In the USA, the plasma sterilizer cost approximately around 6000.00 - 10000.00 USD ($) (Approx.)
Market Opportunity
The continuous research and development in sterilization is an immense opportunity for the market to grow during the forecast period.
Sterilization technology in support of modern medicine has a research and development history dating back more than 150 years. Sterilization methods using high temperature and high pressure (autoclave) and ethylene oxide gas (EOG) have some restrictions for utilization.
Continuous research and development, quality, safety and comprehensive services as well as an intuitive design are important aspects of the Reno plasma sterilizer series.
Recent studies have focused on the potential applications of plasma technology for disinfection and sterilization, especially in the medical and food industries.
Covid-19 Impact Analysis
The COVID-19 crisis profoundly disguised the vulnerability of human societies and healthcare systems in the situation of a pandemic. In many instances, it became evident that the quick and safe reduction of viral load and spread is the foremost principle in the successful management of such a pandemic.
For the last 25 years, the use of gas plasma technology has sparked a tremendous amount of literature on its decontaminating properties, especially for heat-labile targets, such as polymers and tissues, where chemical decontamination often is not appropriate.
However, while the majority of earlier work focused on bacteria, only relatively few reports are available on the inactivation of viruses. We here aim to provide a perspective for the general audience on the chances and opportunities of gas plasma technology for supporting healthcare during viral pandemics such as the COVID-19 crisis.
The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened pressure on individuals to return medical devices to service, potentially leading to missed or forgotten sterilization steps. Additionally, limited resources may hinder proper sterilization protocols, as numerous product shortages have affected patient sterilization due to the pandemic.
Ethylene oxide (ETO), a widely used sterilizer for medical devices, faced closures due to concerns about environmental contamination. Despite this, over 20 billion devices are sterilized annually with ETO. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the supply of ETO, leading to knock-on effects. While some facilities have been allowed to reopen for sterilization, the long-term goal is to explore alternative methods for sterilizing medical devices for patients.
This includes possible real-world plasma applications, appropriate laboratory viral test systems, and critical points on the technical and safety requirements of gas plasmas for virus inactivation.
Market Segmentation – By Product Type
Low Temperature Plasma Sterilizers
Low-temperature plasma sterilizers in the global plasma sterilizer market were valued at US$ XX million in 2023 and are estimated to reach US$ XX million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of XX% during the forecast period from 2024-2031.
Low-temperature plasma sterilizers provide an efficient sterilization solution for heat and moisture-sensitive medical equipment in CSSDs, Hospitals, Respiratory and Gastroenterology Endoscopy Clinics etc.
It includes products of synthetic and polymer materials, medical optical systems, medical electric instruments and electrical power cables, rigid endoscopes, ultrasonic medical devices, sensors, medical devices etc.
The sterilizing agent is non-toxic, requires minimal utility requirements, and produces no water or electricity by-products during the sterilization process.
Low temperature plasma sterilizers are having different technologies in one of that Ethylene oxide (ETO) has been widely used as a low-temperature sterilant since the 1950s. It has been the most commonly used process for sterilizing temperature- and moisture-sensitive medical devices and supplies in healthcare institutions in the United States.
Two types of ETO sterilizers are available, mixed gas and 100% ETO. Until 1995, ethylene oxide sterilizers combined ETO with a chloroflourocarbon (CFC) stabilizing agent, most commonly in a ratio of 12% ETO mixed with 88% CFC (referred to as 12/88 ETO).
The low temperature plasma sterilizers segment are expected to grow during the forecast period owing to the various factors like, novel equipment launches by players, expansion, advancements and others help the overall segment to grow during the forecast period.
For instance, in September 2021, In order to better assist the cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of medical equipment, prevent and control hospital infections, and ensure the safe implementation of various diagnosis and treatment technologies, Heal Force launched Hydrogen Peroxide Plasma Sterilizer, which is one of the star products of Heal Force operating room series.
Moreover, in September 2020, Godrej Security Solutions (GSS), the leading Indian security solutions brand, has launched India's first Plasma Ion based cash sterilizer, 'Steri-on' as part of its COVID Defense Security Range of products. The newly launched Steri-on uses the patented Plasma Ion Cluster technology that releases 19 million ion clusters to sterilize currency in real-time upon detecting notes.
Market Segmentation – By Region
The North America region is expected to hold the largest market share over the forecast period owing to the rise in the number of surgical procedures, increasing hospitalizations, the increasing geriatric population and product launches in the region.
Also, the rising incidence of several types of diseases such as, cardiovascular, neurological, chronic, and acute, coupled with technological advancements in healthcare services and demand for sterilization technologies are also expected to expand the market size in the region over the forecast period.
For instance, in Canada, in 2021, around 3,83,717 surgical procedures were performed compared to 2020 with 3,26,411 surgical procedures this indeed increase the need of usage of plasma sterilizers in the region.
New sterilization technology based on plasma was patented in 1987 and marketed in the United States in 1993. Gas plasmas have been referred to as the fourth state of matter (i.e., liquids, solids, gases, and gas plasmas).
According to the FDA, more than 20 billion devices sold in the United States every year are sterilized with ethylene oxide (EtO), accounting for roughly 50% of devices that require sterilization. To meet this demand, there are over 100 different EtO gas sterilization facilities sprinkled across the United States. Some of these, like the now-famous Willowbrook, IL facility, began operation in the 1980s, 30 years before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would classify EtO as a human carcinogen. Community advocacy groups, government officials, and MedTech industry organizations are readying themselves for what is sure to be a monumentally difficult challenge to resolve.
For instance, in July 2023, Cold Plasma Group Inc. (CPG), a Canadian tech company focused on commercial implementation of plasma applications for industry, is pleased to announce it has completed a cooperation and licencing agreement with GOC-NEXUS Europe GmbH (GOC-NEXUS) to supply and to further scale-up CPG’s plasma sterilization technology for cannabis.
In December 2020, Plasma Bionics LLC, a veterinary sterilization device manufacturing company founded by former students while studying at Oklahoma State University, was recently highlighted at the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and the Association of American Universities.
Plasma Bionics was founded in March 2012 and launched its first product in October 2020, the V10 Air Plasma Sterilizer. This product is the first of its kind and uses the company’s proprietary Air Plasma Sterilization process. Using just air and electricity, the V10 Air Plasma Sterilizer produces a mixture of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that rapidly kill microorganisms on the surfaces of veterinary instruments.
“The technology Plasma Bionics is using was originally developed at OSU to help prevent aircraft from stalling by applying the plasma generation technology over the surfaces of aircraft wings to help in flow control.
Company Share Analysis
The global plasma sterilizer market is expected to be moderately competitive, owing to the presence of big brands. Also, the market is expanding due to the presence of several large and regional players entering the market.
The key players that are contributing to the growth of the global market include Plasmapp Co Ltd, Getinge AB, STERIS Plc, Shinva, Tuttnauer (Fortissimo Capital), Human Meditek, Laoken Medical Technology Co Ltd, Steelco SpA (MIELE Group), Renosem
Atherton among others.
The key players are adopting strategies such as partnerships, mergers, acquisitions and regional expansion to stand out as strong competitors in the market. Novel services and enhanced focus on research and development are other ways the leading players can improve their market presence.
Getinge Ab – Overview
Getinge AB (Getinge) is in the company of designing, developing, and marketing tools and equipment for use in surgery, infection control, critical care, care ergonomics, and wound care.
Its main items include hospital beds, stretchers, couches, mattresses for treating and preventing pressure sores, disinfectors, sterilisation equipment, documentation systems, ventilators, lights, anaesthesia equipment, heart-lung machines with accompanying disposables, equipment and instruments for cardiac surgery, vascular surgery, cardiac assist devices, and various other accessories.
The business also offers a range of services for hospitals and project execution. The company has manufacturing facilities in, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US.
