Market Trends of Global Surgical Drapes and Gowns Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Surgical Drapes & Gowns Market according to our research experts:
Surgical Gowns Segment Holds Significant Share in Surgical Drapes and Gowns Market
A surgical gown is one example of personal protective equipment used in healthcare settings. Different names are given to them according to their intended use in hospitals, such as surgical gowns, isolation gowns, surgical isolation gowns, procedural gowns, and operating room gowns, among others.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the market segment. As per the December 2020 report titled "Covid-19 - PPE demand & supply perspectives", industry experts stated that global production of medical PPE increased by at least 300% at its peak as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This ramp-up began in late Q1/early Q2 of 2020 to compensate for a global shortage and meet forward-looking surge orders from governments and private entities. Existing international players expanding their production capacities accounted for 50% to 60% of the increase in supply. For instance, DuPont doubled its gown output.
Moreover, in the healthcare setting, there is a growing demand for a self-donning surgical gown that healthcare personnel can don without assistance. Also, in the context of crisis management during chronic viral and infectious diseases, using a gown that can be put on and removed quickly and safely to prevent onward transmission of environmental infection is more important than ever. Additionally, the increasing investment by the market players is also propelling the growth of the segment. For instance, in May 2021, Windsor-based Harbour Technologies expanded its protective equipment manufacturing operations to Chatham-Kent by opening a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chatham to make surgical isolation gowns.
Thus, owing to the abovementioned factors, the market segment is expected to show growth over the forecast period.
North America is Expected to Dominate the Global Surgical Drapes and Gowns Market
North America is expected to hold a significant share in the market and is expected to do the same over the forecast period.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released guidance in March 2020 explaining the relaxation of specific regulatory requirements to increase the production and availability of certain personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gowns and gloves as the number of COVID-19 cases grew in the United States and hospitals struggled to keep their doctors and nurses safe. As a result, PPE manufacturing in the United States has greatly improved since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Various players from different verticals joined to combat the infection as well. Due to COVID-19, Arc'teryx, based in North Vancouver, shifted some of its production capacity to create urgently needed surgical gowns for front-line workers in local hospitals.
Moreover, North America dominated the global surgical drapes and gowns market owing to the presence of well-established market players, a growing number of surgical procedures, and an increasing number of surgical site infections. For instance, as per the article titled "Postoperative Wound Infection" published in December 2021 in the National Library of Medicine, over two million nosocomial infections in individuals who have been hospitalized in the United States are caused by surgical site wound infections.
Additionally, in September 2020, Halyard Health invested around USD 26 million to expand personal protective equipment, including gloves, surgical gowns, and other manufacturing operations. With such investments, there will be increased production of surgical gowns in the region, which will drive market growth.
Thus, owing to the abovementioned factors, the North American region is expected to show growth over the forecast period.
