Antimicrobial Additives Market Expected to Reach $9.3 Billion by 2030

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, "Antimicrobial Additives Market by Product Type and Application: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021–2030,"the global antimicrobial additives market was valued at $4.7 billion in 2020, and is projected to reach $9.3 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 7.1% from 2021 to 2030

Antimicrobial additives are active ingredients capable of resisting, inhibiting, and preventing the growth of microbes such as bacteria, mold, and others. These additives inhibit, and prevent cross contaminating microorganism by causing damage to cell wall or by imparting damage to DNA. Silver, copper, zinc, and other antimicrobial additives offer long term antimicrobial action when incorporated during manufacturing of products. Silver antimicrobial additive will impart specific antimicrobial action and can be formulated into different forms such as concentrated powder, liquid suspension, or masterbatch pellets. 

Antimicrobial additives are widely incorporated into plastic products such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), high impact polystyrene (HIPS), and others. Bacteria and fungi generally feed on plastic and polymeric products that in turn lead to discoloration, staining, unwanted smells, and degradation of plastic products. Building plastic products such as roofs, pipes, flooring, vinyl slides, insulation, and others are vulnerable to degrading and discoloration owing to growth of microorganism with additional support from climatic conditions. Plastic antimicrobial additives are generally incorporated during manufacturing process, which in turn provides long lasting protection from microbes. These all factors are escalating the use of antimicrobial additives, thus contributing towards the growth of global market. However, as compared to other applications, use of antimicrobial additive in surface coatings is less effective in healthcare and food related application. For instance, Kaiser Permanente located in the U.S. is a well-known healthcare organization that runs 38 hospitals and 600 medical offices in North America region.

This organization has stopped using antimicrobial additives in its facilities for surface coatings of healthcare equipment. Several studies also suggest that synthetic antimicrobial additives that are used in food formulations tend to impact on human health. For instance, long term use of synthetic antimicrobial additives can cause liver damage, asthma, and much allergic reaction in humans. Due to these effects, prolonged use of synthetic additives is hampered and the same is becoming the growth barrier for this market. This is expected to hamper the growth of the global antimicrobial additives market during the forecast period.  

Natural antimicrobial additives such as essential oil, bacteriocins, lysozyme, organic acid, chitosan, grape fruit seed extract (GFSE), and others, are recently developed antimicrobial additives that are used in food packaging application. Essential oil includes antifungal, antioxidant, antiviral, antimycotic, antitoxigenic, antiparasitic, antibiotic, and antiseptic properties making it a suitable additive material in food packaging. This is anticipated to increase the sales of natural antimicrobial additives; thus, creating remunerative opportunities for the market.

The antimicrobial additives market is segmented by product type, application, end-use, and region. By product type, the market is categorized into inorganic antimicrobial additives and organic antimicrobial additives. The inorganic segment dominated the global market, in terms of revenue in 2020, with over four-fifth of the total market share. Inorganic antimicrobial additives inhibit the growth of microbes during additive manufacturing process such as computer-controlled manufacturing process or 3D printing. Laser sintering is an advanced additive manufacturing technology, which is used to manufacture complex geometric plastic products. Therefore, rise in utilization of silver based inorganic antimicrobial additive in plastic industry owing to its long-lasting efficiency and reduced level of toxicity to humans has enhanced its market demand. 

By application, the antimicrobial additives market is classified into plastic, paints & coatings, pulp & paper, and others. The plastic application dominated the global market, in terms of revenue in 2020, with over one-third of the total share. Bacteria and fungi generally feed on plastic and polymer products, which in turn lead to discoloration, staining, unwanted smells, and degradation of plastic products. Building plastic products such as roofs, pipes, flooring, vinyl slides, insulation, and others are vulnerable to degrading and discoloration owing to growth of microorganism with additional support from climatic conditions. This is a major factor that augments the growth of the antimicrobial additives market.

By end-use, the antimicrobial additives market is divided into construction, automotive, healthcare, food & beverage, and others. The healthcare end use dominated the global market, in terms of revenue in 2020, with over one-third of the total share. Hygienic condition is a primary requirement in the healthcare sector despite locations such as hospital, surgery rooms, dental practice room, and others. Manual cleaning of healthcare premises tends to remove less amount dirt and bacteria. Thus, utilization of antimicrobial additives in the healthcare sector is the utmost important factor to maintain hygienic condition inside healthcare premises. 

Region wise, the antimicrobial additives market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. The Asia-Pacific antimicrobial additives market size is projected to witness growth at the highest CAGR during the forecast period and accounted for 35.0% antimicrobial additives market share in 2020. Rise in number of end-use industries such as healthcare, food & beverage, construction, and others, have enhanced the demand for antimicrobial additives. Surge in population in countries such as India and China, has increased the tendency of microbial contamination. Thus, antimicrobial additives can inhibit cross contamination and help maintain hygienic conditions, which are considerable factors that are augmenting the growth of the antimicrobial additives market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Key players operating in the global antimicrobial additives market include BASF SE, BioCote Limited, Clariant AG, King Plastic Corporation, Microban International Limited, Milliken Chemical, Sanitized AG, Lyondell Basell, PolyOne Corporation, and DOW Inc.

COVID-19 analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic has positively affected the global antimicrobial additives market. Antimicrobial additives are gaining importance in healthcare sector owing to their capability of reducing COVID-19 virus. In addition, several key-players in the global market are launching innovative antimicrobial additives that are widely used in protective apparel, masks, and others. For instance, company named as Tosaf is developing antimicrobial additive that can be incorporated during manufacturing of non-woven fabrics and films. Protective masks are mandatory to prevent spreading of coronavirus from one person to another. However, there are several chances of virus particles being trapped on the outer surface of face masks.

 Thus, it is recommended to use antimicrobial additives during manufacturing of face masks and other protective equipment that are used in the healthcare sector. Automotive manufacturers such as Ford Motors, are incorporating antimicrobial additives during manufacturing of cars. In addition, other startup companies such as HeiQ and others, are incorporating antimicrobial additives in textile products. These are the major factors augmenting the growth of the global antimicrobial additives market in this pandemic situation.

Key findings of the study

• The organic antimicrobial additives segment is estimated to display the highest growth rate, in terms of revenue, registering a CAGR of 7.5% from 2021 to 2030.
• The paints & coatings application is anticipated to register the highest CAGR of 7.6% during the forecast period.
• The healthcare end use is estimated to display the highest growth rate, in terms of revenue, registering a CAGR of 7.8% from 2021 to 2030.
• Asia-Pacific garnered the highest share of 35.0% in 2020, in terms of revenue, growing at a CAGR of 7.8%