Customers in the plastics, coatings, textiles, fabrics and ceramics sectors are now prioritizing sustainability, hygiene and health impacts over aesthetics and utility. This shift has spurred materials manufacturers to innovate, resulting in the development of antimicrobial materials—a breakthrough capturing customer interest and generating significant growth opportunities.

Frost & Sullivan forecasts a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.7 per cent for the antimicrobial materials industry from 2023 to 2030, projecting the global total addressable market to approach US$61 billion by the end of the period.

Customer preferences are rapidly evolving towards materials that prevent spoilage and decay while ensuring human safety. Technological advancements are making these materials more effective, accessible and affordable, facilitating their application across various industries:

• Health care: Alternative materials are revolutionizing packaging, medical devices, safe paints for health care environments, and hospital utilities.
• Food packaging: Antimicrobial materials are gaining traction in regions with high consumption of meats, poultry and fresh-cut produce.
• Textiles and fabrics: Offering skin-safe applications, durability and safety, antimicrobial textiles are in demand for medical textiles, functional clothing, and fabrics for curtains, coverings and mattresses.
• Films and coatings: Antimicrobial films and coatings can be applied to various industries by coating existing materials, enhancing their properties without significant manufacturing changes.

Frost & Sullivan anticipates close collaboration between end-user industries and additive companies to tackle challenges and deliver optimal solutions.

“Cross-industry collaboration is crucial as each market has unique dynamics and regulatory requirements,” says Brian Balmer, growth expert at Frost & Sullivan. “Collaborative efforts can streamline R&D, manufacturing and distribution processes, resulting in innovative antimicrobial solutions with broad applications.”