SAN JOSE, US: The US market for anti-microbial coatings is forecast to reach $ 978.7 million by the year 2015, as per a recent report by Global Industry Analysts Inc (GIA). The comprehensive report released on the US anti-microbial coatings market states that the growth will be propelled by increasing demand for enhanced levels of health, sanitation and hygiene, particularly in end-use markets of indoor air quality and medical devices. The economic turbulence caused by the recent recession could not hamper the industry’s robust double-digit annual growth rate. The trend of strong growth pace is likely to continue in the future, spurred by growing urgency for infection control in hospitals, public places, food & beverage and public transportation systems among others.
Control of microbial growth and contamination is both vital and critical in every aspect of life. Microbes and germs are a daily threat and bacterial fouling is an undesirable, preventable yet an often-occurring phenomenon. The two major end-use markets for anti-microbial coatings are the indoor air quality market and the medical devices market. One of the fastest growing industries across the globe is the mould remediation industry and only anti-microbial coatings offered long-term antimicrobial performance. Research is also on to ascertain the anti-microbial performance of alternative metals such as copper, bronze and brass, the report stated.
The medical devices segment, which hitherto was a niche division in the larger painting and coatings industry, is all set to witness an impressive growth over the years. Hospital-acquired infections are becoming a major threat and an estimated 81 per cent of costs are being added to the overall costs incurred by the medical market in the US.
The volatile economic situation did not dampen growth in the market with the fear psychosis on account of the deadly H1N1 flu outbreak and other such infections playing a major role in sustaining demand for antimicrobial-coated products. The US market for anti-microbial coatings is home to a large number of players. Innovation over the last year or two has been in full steam with industry bigwigs constantly engaged in developing the perfect foolproof anti-microbial coatings, the report noted.
© GIA News