The Asia Pacific market for plastics in medical devices is forecast to grow by an average of 6.2% per year from USD 162.3m (EUR 116.2m) in 2012 to USD 219.1m in 2017, according to Frost & Sullivan (London / UK; www.chemical.frost.com). Although the volume of plastics used in medical devices is currently low in the region, improving regulations and rising investment in medical technology will drive growth, providing enormous opportunities for material suppliers, the market research company says in a new report, “Analysis of the Asia-Pacific market for plastics in medical devices”. In global terms, the region is expected to outpace that of other areas – for a more detailed analysis of the global medical plastics market, see Plasteurope.com of 06.03.2014.

Commodity thermoplastics such as PVC, PE, PS and PP dominate the Asia Pacific market for plastics in medical devices, followed by silicones, TPEs and engineering plastics/high performance polymers, the report says. The highest growth is expected for PP, PE and engineering plastics/high performance polymers. The growing use of polyolefins in medical devices is driven by demand for alternatives to PVC, as well as by growth in end applications.

The Southeast Asia market differs from the Australia and New Zealand markets, which are technologically sophisticated and export a significant volume of high performance medical devices, the report notes. In Southeast Asian countries, which are less developed, there is more of a focus on the manufacture of commodity medical devices such as consumables, including medical gloves, surgical drapes and gowns and other single-use devices.

Southeast Asian countries are seeking foreign investment in medical technology to boost local manufacturing of medical devices, the report says. At the same time, the countries are working towards harmonising medical devices regulations to create a more coherent system.

Consolidation is expected in the Asia Pacific market, with participants acquiring or partnering with smaller regional material suppliers, Frost & Sullivan says.

In general, medical device manufacturers are increasingly substituting conventional materials such as metal and glass with plastics because of their superior flexibility and fabrication process. The healthcare industry is more immune to changes in the economy, allowing for the continued growth of plastics in medical devices.