The hydrogel dressing market size is estimated to be USD 862.45 million in 2022 and is expected to witness a CAGR of 4.51% during the forecast period 2023-2033. Increase in both chronic and acute wounds, growing geriatric population and rising number of people with diabetes worldwide are factors contributing to the market growth. Furthermore, surge in prevalence of road accidents, trauma, and burns is expected to support the market growth. However, high price of treatment associated with unfavourable reimbursement policies is expected to hinder the growth.

Growing geriatric population is projected to spur the market growth during the forecast period. For instance, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of adults 65 and over was approximately 43.1 million in 2012, and by 2060, that number is expected to reach more than 92.0 million. Similar to this, according to UNFPA Asia and the Pacific, by 2050, one in every four individuals in the Asia Pacific region will be over 60, which is expected to increase demand for hydrogel dressings.

Rising number of people with diabetes worldwide is predicted to propel the market growth. By February 2020, 463 million people were estimated to be suffering with diabetes, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). The number of diabetics in the European region was estimated to be around 59 million in 2020, and that number is projected to rise to 68 million by 2045, according to a similar source.

Segmentation

By Product

The market is categorized into impregnated hydrogel, amorphous hydrogel, and sheet hydrogel. In 2022, the amorphous hydrogel segment accounted for the highest revenue share due to the rising number of burn injuries worldwide. To moisten a dry wound and maintain a wet healing environment, amorphous hydrogel dressing is used. These bandages are frequently used to treat radiation-damaged tissue, small burns, necrotic wounds, and minor burns. The American Burn Association reported in a February 2021 article that more than 400,000 Americans receive care for burn injuries each year. The recovery of partial and full thickness wounds and severe wounds such skin tears require the application of impregnated hydrogel dressing. The use of hydrogel dressing is expected to increase due to the rising number and prevalence of skin tears. For instance, according to a study by NCBI in Ontario, the frequency of skin tears was reported to be 20.8%, with an incidence rate of 18.9% throughout the course of the four weeks of the study.

By Application

The market is categorized into chronic wounds and acute wounds. In the global market, the chronic wounds segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2022 owing to increase in the elderly population, the spike in diabetic foot ulcer cases, and the prevalence of obesity. It is anticipated that the surge in obesity-related cases will increase the number of individuals with venous leg ulcers and pressure ulcers. For instance, according to a Trust for America’s Health report from September 2021, there were 16 states in the U.S. where the obesity rate exceeded 35% as of that year. The use of hydrogel dressing is expected to rise throughout the projection period since obesity is related to an increase in the occurrence of pressure ulcers. Furthermore, the segment for acute wounds is anticipated to exhibit the fastest CAGR over the course of the projection period. The rise in cases of different traumatic injuries, such as gunshot wounds, lacerations, knife wounds, and accidents, is the main factor driving the segment’s growth. For instance, according to the Pew Research Center, 45,222 Americans died from gun-related injuries in 2020.

By End User

The market is segmented into specialty clinics, hospitals, home healthcare, and others. In 2022, the hospitals segment accounted for the largest revenue share owing to increase in bariatric surgeries, which require the use of hydrogel dressing solutions to prevent surgical site infections, and the surge in surgical procedures as a result of inactive lifestyles around the world. Additionally, hospitals are known for buying hydrogel dressing in bulk and have long-term contracts with vendors. Additionally, according to Smith & Nephew, patients with wounds occupy between 25 and 40% of beds in a typical hospital setting. The segment is therefore expected to grow during the forecast period as a result of these factors. The home healthcare segment is predicted to experience the quickest CAGR of 4.9% during the projection period due to an increasing patient demand shift from hospital to home care settings.

Regional Markets

In 2022, North America region accounted for the highest revenue in the hydrogel dressing market and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. This is attributed to the huge population bases and growing patient pools in countries such as the U.S. and Canada. Additionally, as diabetics are more susceptible to developing chronic wounds, the expanding diabetic population is anticipated to fuel a growth in demand for hydrogel dressing supplies in this region. For instance, the American Diabetes Association estimates that over 1.9 million Americans, including over 244,000 teenagers and young adults, have type 1 diabetes. In comparison, it was anticipated that 37.3 million Americans would have diabetes in 2019. Additionally, the market for hydrogel dressing products in North America is predicted to grow due to the region’s availability of competent specialists, a growth in the frequency of gunshot wounds, and severe accidents.

Competitor Insights

Some of the key players operating in the hydrogel dressing market are DermaRite Industries, LLC, Smith & Nephew, ConvaTec Group PLC Medline Industries, Cardinal Health, McKesson Medical-Surgical, Coloplast Corp., Integra LifeSciences Corp., 3M, and AMERX Health Care Corp.

To achieve a competitive edge, these companies are implementing a variety of growth strategies. Strategic partnerships, alliances, and agreements with different businesses and research institutions are seen to be the main strategies used by companies in this sector.

• For instance, in October 2019 3M completed the acquisition of Acelity, Inc., expanding its services in wound care. The hydrogel dressing market is thus anticipated to surge throughout the projected period due to various strategies adopted by industry participants, such as collaborations and product approvals, to strengthen their product portfolios.

This comprehensive research report focuses on the global and regional market size and forecasts of diverse segments including product, application, and end user from 2023 to 2033.

Report Scope:

Segmentation: Hydrogel Dressing Market Report 2022 – 2033

Product (Revenue, USD Million), 2022 – 2033

• Impregnated Hydrogel
• Amorphous Hydrogel
• Sheet Hydrogel

Application (Revenue, USD Million), 2022 – 2033

• Chronic Wounds
  • Burns
  • Surgical & Traumatic Wounds
• Acute Wounds
  • Pressure Ulcers
  • Diabetic Foot Ulcers
  • Venous Leg Ulcers
  • Others

End user (Revenue, USD Million), 2022 – 2033

• Specialty Clinics
• Hospitals
• Home Healthcare
• Others

By Region (Revenue, USD Million), 2022 – 2033

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • UK
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Rest of APAC
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Rest of LATAM
• Middle East & Africa
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Rest of MEA