Medical Polyoxymethylene (POM) Market - Forecasts from 2023 to 2028

The medical polyoxymethylene (POM) market was valued at US$47.912 million in 2021.

Medical polyoxymethylene, commonly called POM or acetal, is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic used in the medical industry for various applications. Its unique properties, including high stiffness, enhanced dimensional stability, and low friction coefficient, is increasing its consumption by pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies for medical device manufacturing processes. Copolymer POM and homopolymer POM are the most used types of medical polyoxymethylene. Homopolymer POM is made from a single type of monomer that consists of repetitions of the same molecule resulting in a high degree of crystallinity and stiffness in addition to its high mechanical and thermal properties. In contrast, copolymer POM is a polymer made from two different types of monomers. Medical polyoxymethylene is dominantly consumed for manufacturing dialysis machines, inhalers, medical trays, handles for surgical instruments, insulin pens, and pharmaceutical closures.

The growing demand for sustainable materials in the healthcare industry, driven by the awareness of environmental issues, is creating a high demand for medical POM since POM is a recyclable material. Several healthcare equipment manufacturers are incorporating recycled POM into their products to reduce their environmental footprint. Further, the growth in healthcare expenditure and infrastructure, the rise in demand for medical devices, and the developments in the production of advanced grades of medical POM are anticipated to result in the expansion of the medical polyoxymethylene market over the forecast period.

The rise in medical devices and equipment demand is propelling the medical POM market growth.

POM is extensively used to manufacture medical devices that require frequent cleaning and sterilization due to its ability to resist chemical and biological agents. The Indian Brand Equity Foundation estimated that the Indian medical devices sector reached US$12 billion in 2021, with approximately US$2.53 billion worth of exports. Further, the Indian Medical Devices Industry estimated that the number of medical device imports in India increased by 41% to increase from Rs.44,708 crore in 2021 to Rs.63,200 crore in 2022. The biocompatibility of medical POM, since it does not cause harmful or toxic reactions to human tissue and its recyclability, is increasing its consumption by healthcare companies. Therefore, the rising consumption of medical instruments and equipment in most of the world driven by the pandemic and the general rise in the consumption of healthcare facilities by consumers is driving the growth of the medical POM market.

Product Offerings:

• Celanex POM by Celanese Corporation - Celanese Corporation is a leading global chemical and specialty materials company in the US that manufactures medical-grade polyoxymethylene (POM) under its brand, Celanex. Celanex POM is a high-performance thermoplastic used in various medical applications due to its properties to meet the requirements of thermoplastic polyester of medical companies.
• Ultraform POM by BASF -BASF is an international chemical company that produces a range of medical-grade polyoxymethylene (POM) in its Ultraform product line. BASF offers a range of medical-grade Ultraform POM grades that comply with various regulatory requirements, such as ISO 10993, and are high-performance thermoplastics widely used in medical applications.
• TECAFORM POM by Ensinger Plastics - Ensinger Plastics is a German company manufacturing various high-performance engineering plastics, including medical-grade polyoxymethylene as TECAFORM POM with enhanced steam sterilization resistance. In addition, the company provides technical support and expertise to its customers in the medical industry to optimize the use of TECAFORM POM in its products, including material selection, design optimization, and product development.

Copolymer POM is expected to hold a major share of the medical polyoxymethylene market by type.

The presence of the second monomer, such as ethylene oxide, in copolymer POM results in a lower degree of crystallinity and improved impact strength which offers enhanced chemical resistance and durability at higher temperatures than homopolymer POM. Therefore, the beneficial properties of copolymer POM are expected to increase its market share in the medical POM market.

By application, the rising demand for insulin pens is expected to expand the medical POM market over the forecast period.

The rise in the number of people diabetes patients around and the increasing demand for insulin pens as an effective diabetes care and treatment option is increasing the demand for medical POM. For instance, the International Diabetes Federation estimated that the annual prevalence rate of diabetes worldwide is 3% over the last decade. In addition, it is projected that the total number of global diabetes patients will increase from 536.5 million in 2021 to 783.2 in 2045. The rise in diabetic patients is increasing the use of insulin pens. Medical POM is commonly used in manufacturing insulin pens due to its unique properties to withstand frequent usage and other handling processes. In addition, the ability of medical POM to maintain its shape despite its exposure to different temperatures and pressures, which ensures the proper functioning of the pen and prevention of leakage or damage to the insulin cartridge, is resulting in its consumption in insulin pens.

North America contributes majorly to the medical polyoxymethylene market and is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period.

The presence of established international medical and pharmaceutical companies in the region manufacturing medical equipment and the rising healthcare expenditure by consumers is driving the medical POM market in the region. For instance, the American Medical Association estimated that the healthcare expenditure in the US in 2021 amounted to US$4,255.1 billion. Further, the growing demand for dialysis machines driven by the rise in kidney failures among patients is expected to increase the consumption of medical POM. The American Kidney Fund projected that approximately 570,000 patients are on dialysis machines and that the growth rates of kidney failures are expected to augment the demand for dialysis machines.

Market Segmentation:

By Type

• Copolymer POM
• Homopolymer POM

By Application

• Dialysis Machine
• Inhalers
• Medical Trays
• Handles for Surgical Instruments
• Insulin Pen
• Pharmaceutical Closures
• Others

By Geography

• North America
• USA
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Others
• Europe
• Germany
• France
• United Kingdom
• Spain
• Others
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Israel
• Others
• Asia Pacific
• China
• Japan
• India
• South Korea
• Indonesia
• Thailand
• Taiwan
• Others