Antimicrobial Coatings Market Expected to Reach $11.0 Billion by 2030

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, "Antimicrobial Coatings Market by Type and End-Use Industry: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021–2030,"the global antimicrobial coatings market was valued at $3.7 billion in 2020, and is projected to reach $11.0 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 11.5% from 2021 to 2030.

Antimicrobial coatings are type of surface coating containing active ingredient that are usually applied or coated on surface to impart antimicrobial property preventing growth of microbes, mold, and mildew.     

Use of antimicrobial coatings along with convectional sanitizing products such as disinfectants offers improved hygienic conditions. For instance, environmental microbiology professor in University of Arizona conducted a study on spread of virus present on high touch surface areas to people. Virus and other microbes tend to spread faster that are present on frequent touch surfaces. Silver and copper based antimicrobial coatings are capable of destroying protein structure of microbes and virus that in turn renders the growth of microbes. In addition, antimicrobial coated surfaces continuously disinfect the surface that are vulnerable to microbial growth. Hospitals are vulnerable to spread of airborne virus and microbes. However, floor and other surfaces painted with antimicrobial coatings helps to denature microbial and virus growth that in turn inhibits growth of virulently airborne microbes. All these factors collectively drive the demand of the global market.

However, there are several drawbacks associated with disposal of antimicrobial coated surfaces. In addition, antimicrobial coatings tend to emit active ingredients that are susceptible of entering into ecosystem and thereby increasing the risk of causing health associated hazards. For instance, disposal of silver and zinc based antimicrobial coated surface in waterbodies increases toxicity and increases the risk to water species such as crustaceans. All these factors tend to hamper the market growth.

Demand for metal based antimicrobial coating products is growing in order to curb the spread of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Coupled with outbreak of COVID-19, the demand for metal based antimicrobial coatings is growing. This outbreak has highlighted the major use of antimicrobial coatings that are capable of curbing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Combination of zinc and copper significantly increases the antimicrobial property of the coatings and improves its efficiency against murine norovirus type 1. Use of zinc-based antimicrobial coatings on different products such as face masks, trollies, door handles, and other frequently touched surfaces is anticipated to create remunerative opportunities for the expansion of the antimicrobial coatings market in the future.

The antimicrobial coatings market is segmented on the basis of type, end-use industry, and region.

By type, the market is segregated into silver-based, zinc-based, copper-based, polymer-based, and others. The copper-based segment dominated the global market in terms of revenue in 2020, with over three-sevenths of the total share.  Healthcare associated infection (HAI) impacts majorly on global public health. Contaminated surfaces in hospitals and healthcare facilities are the prime reason for origin of sporadic cases and HAIs. Copper-based antimicrobial coatings are effective and can help in reducing the microbial growth on high touch surface in healthcare sector, which is the key market trend.

By end use, the global antimicrobial coatings market is classified into healthcare, building & construction, food service packaging, aviation, marine, and others. The healthcare segment dominated the global market in terms of revenue in 2020, with over 44% of the total share. Copper-based antimicrobial coating products are effective against a wide range of pathogens and are proven to inhibit the growth of dense inoculum of S. aureus, Acinetobacter spp, and E. coli cells. Healthcare associated infection (HAI) impacts majorly on the global public health. Contaminated surfaces in hospitals and healthcare facilities are the prime reason for origin of sporadic cases and HAIs. Copper-based antimicrobial coatings are effective and capable of reducing the microbial growth on high touch surface in healthcare sector is the key market trend.

Region-wise, the antimicrobial coatings market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. The Europe antimicrobial coatings market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Increase in number of bacterial infections spreading through medical devices has escalated the medical cost associated with recovery of patients and number of deaths associated with these infections. Thus, different technologies and products are used and adopted to minimize the incidence of infections associated with medical devices. Modification of device surfaces with use of hydrophilic polymeric antimicrobial surface coatings tends to minimize the risk of adherence of microbes and bacteria on device surfaces. Polymer based antimicrobial coatings are designed to offer non-fouling characteristic on the applied surface and minimize the protein adsorption of pathogens that subsequently minimizes the microbial adhesion. The rise in number of deaths associated with HAIs and medical device associated infections are burdening the Germany healthcare sector. For instance, according to a study conducted by Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in 2018, more than 600,000 nosocomial infections occur yearly in Germany.

Key players operating in the global antimicrobial coatings market include Advanced Nanotech Lab (ANT Lab), Novapura AG, Axalta Coating Systems, LLC, Apogee Enterprises Inc., Akzo Nobel N.V., Sciessent LLC, Pylon Coatings, PPG Industries, Inc., The Sherwin Williams Company, and Nippon Paint Holdings

COVID-19 analysis

The novel coronavirus is an incomparable global pandemic that has spread to over 180 countries and caused huge losses of lives as well as economy around the globe. The global antimicrobial coatings market has been moderately affected amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The major end-users of antimicrobial coatings include healthcare, building & construction, aviation, marine, food packaging, and marine. Growing number of infections, increasing deaths associated with COVID-19, and emergence of new variants of coronavirus has forced and attracted innovative technologies and products that can help to limit the spread of virus through frequently and high touch surface areas. In order to address this problem, surface coating products such as antimicrobial coatings are being used in healthcare centers, public transport, and other working environments to curb the spread of virus. Antimicrobial coatings are capable of suppressing and minimizing the risk of viral pathogens and bacteria that are intended to spread the COVID-19 infection. SARS-CoV-2 virus is considered to last on the surfaces from 2 hours to 9 days depending upon environmental conditions and the surfaces. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 is considered as a viable threat through which infection can be transmitted by high touch surface areas. This in turn has created and attracted key-players in the market to launch innovative antimicrobial coatings that are specifically designed to suppress the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Several R&D activities are conducted to test the product efficiency of antimicrobial coatings for suppressing the growth of antiviral capabilities. For instance, copper-based antimicrobial coatings are proven to offer improved efficiency for suppressing the growth and colonization of SARS-CoV-2 virus that are present on frequently touch areas.

Emergence of COVID-19 pandemic has drastically increased the thought of hygiene and cleanliness. This in turn has increased the demand and growth of antimicrobial coatings in transportation and other public spaces. In addition, increasing demand and funding for development of effective antimicrobial coatings that are capable of suppressing spread of infection is another considerable factor driving the antimicrobial coatings demand amid the ongoing global pandemic. Automotive manufacturers such as Ford Motor Co. are adopting antimicrobial coatings during production of cars and a textile based startup company HeiQ is also using antimicrobial coating during textile production. In addition, key-players in the global antimicrobial coatings market are launching products for use in high touch surfaces and air-filters that are highly susceptible to microbial contamination, which is driving the demand for the global antimicrobial coating market.

Apart from the healthcare sector, the demand for antimicrobial coatings in food industry is witnessing growth amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Food packaging and processing industry needs to uphold microbiologically safe operating and environmental conditions. Emergence of coronavirus has further created demand and need for antimicrobial coatings for maintaining safe operating conditions in the food processing, packaging, and delivery industry. Apart from following convectional sanitization protocols in the food industry, there is steady growth for use of antimicrobial coatings in the food packaging sector. For instance, ready-to-eat Deli Meat packaging company has been adopting antimicrobial coatings in order to ensure improved hygienic conditions. All these factors are driving the adoption and demand for the global antimicrobial coatings market.

Key findings of the study

• By type, the silver-based segment is estimated to display the highest growth rate, in terms of revenue, registering a CAGR of 12.1% from 2021 to 2030.
• By end use, the healthcare segment is estimated to display the highest growth rate, in terms of revenue, registering a CAGR of 12.0% from 2021 to 2030.
• By region, Europe garnered the highest share of 38.6% in 2020, in terms of revenue, growing at a CAGR of 12.4%.