U.S. Medical Tubing Market (2024 - 2030)

U.S. Medical Tubing Market Size & Trends

The U.S. medical tubing market size was estimated at USD 3.34 billion in 2023 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9% from 2024 to 2030. The market is primarily driven by the rising geriatric population and hospitalizations in the U.S. Medical tubes are required to have superior physical properties such as opacity, versatility, and static resistance. Clear tubing is essential for fluid delivery applications as it enables easy tracking of fluid movement and helps eliminate the possibility of potential air bubbles. Plastic is a key raw material used in the manufacturing of medical tubes, such as conduits for collecting biopsy samples, stent holders, and vascular catheters.

Recent technological advancements have optimized the manufacturing processes, thus driving the market growth. Braided tubing, tapered tubing, and paratubing are manufactured using cutting-edge extrusion technologies to eliminate the assembling of two or more tubes. This fosters cost reduction as it eliminates any secondary steps of joining tubes. Latest advancements in extrusion technologies offer plastic tubes with an integration of desired properties, including high tensile strength, flexibility, lightweight, and non-ferrous properties.

Medical devices in the U.S. are highly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the devices. Medical devices are classified into Class I, II, and III, with Class III being associated with higher-risk regulations. The U.S. FDA regulates Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) polyurethane tubes used to administer drugs or medicines. Similar to the FDA, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) ensures that the polyurethane tube does not contaminate the food or liquids given to patients. It also regulates the environmental sustainability compliance of medical tubes.

Market Concentration & Characteristics

The market growth stage is high, and the pace of market growth is accelerating. Medical tubing manufacturers are actively adopting challenging strategic initiatives such as mergers & acquisitions, new product launches, and collaborations, among others.

The U.S. medical tubing market is highly competitive due to the presence of well-established healthcare infrastructure and the penetration of foreign players. The market is led by strategic initiatives, including increasing research and development activities and surging bio-pharmaceutical investments by key players.

Prominent technological innovations such as tight-tolerance medical tubing lines for processing high-temperature fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) tubing with radiopaque stripes, medical extruder direct drive (MEDD), and alternating polymer tubing lines serve a wide array of medical procedures. The unique design of these tubes offers them flexibility and customization for patients, thereby enhancing their outcomes.

The innovation of co-extrusion technology is one of the significant technological developments that have taken place in the manufacturing of tubes. This technology provides lubricating strength to numerous layers of EFEP and nylon medical tubes, as well as catheters, which were primarily utilized in intensive care units in healthcare facilities.

Supportive regulations by the U.S. FDA, the International Standards for Organization, and U.S. Pharmacopoeia ensure product compliance. For instance, USP Class VI is a certification put in place by the U.S. Pharmacopeia Convention (USP), which judges the material suitability and compatibility of medical-grade devices. The standard includes tests for biochemical compatibility, toxicity, leaching, and inertness. USP Class VI is typically a base requirement for all medical-grade devices.

The competitive rivalry is high owing to the expansion of foreign collaborations in the country. For instance, in February 2023, Benvic Group collaborated with Modenplast to increase the penetration of its products in healthcare applications. Under this collaboration, both companies are expected to develop specific medical tubing.

Application Insights

The bulk disposable segment accounted for the largest market share of 36.75% in 2023. Bulk disposable devices comprise urological products, surgical instruments, syringes, and needles, among others. The growing concerns about containing the spread of communicable diseases are driving segment growth. Furthermore, the prevalence of arthritis, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases has fuelled the adoption of extensive surgical treatment instruments, including trocars and inflators. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and silicone are among the most commonly used polymers in disposable medical tubing. They are long-lasting, durable, versatile, and flexible.

Drug delivery systems are expected to expand at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period due to the increasing demand for targeted and controlled drug delivery in patients. Various types of drug delivery systems, such as injectable drug delivery systems, respiratory drug delivery systems, and connected drug delivery systems, use medical tubes to deliver the drug to the target location. The emphasis on improving the efficacy of the drug delivery rate is propelling the demand for medical tubes in the drug delivery systems application segment.

Product Insights

Silicone tubing accounted for the largest revenue share of 25.93% in 2023, owing to its high demand in medical applications. It is non-toxic to living tissues, and patients have no allergenic response. Silicon tubing provides gasketing, sealing, and safe fluid transfer properties, which fosters segment growth. High-grade silicon tubing used in medical devices is manufactured using a continuous vulcanization and extrusion process. Moreover, the material has applications in medical drains, implants, feeding tubes, catheters, and other products where biocompatibility is a key requirement.

Fluoropolymers are projected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2024 to 2030. It is a preferred material in manufacturing next-generation medical devices, including catheters, sutures, syringes, and biocontainment vessels. Fluoropolymers are inert, non-toxic, sterile, inert, and bio-compatible, making them an ideal choice for medical tubing.

Key U.S. Medical Tubing Company Insights

Key players in the U.S. medical tubing industry are engaged in continuous engagement in R&D activities and mergers & acquisitions to increase their regional and global footprint. Companies such as Nordson Corporation, Spectrum Plastics Group, and Benvic Group are some of the leaders, as they are engaged in continuous R&D and M&A and have a strong supply chain. For instance, in June 2020, Nordson Corporation acquired Fluortek, Inc. and expanded its medical tubing product portfolio for complex medical devices.

Recent Developments

• In June 2021, Spectrum Plastics Group acquired KCS Plastics Ltd, to expand its geographical presence and boost manufacturing of polymer-based medical equipment

• In August 2021, Nordson Corporation acquired NDC Technologies to expand its product offerings. The acquisition has the former’s test and inspection platform into new end markets and adjacent technologies.

• In May 2020, NewAge Industries, Inc. bought two units in a building within seven miles of its headquarters to increase its production capacities of tubing and molding assemblies.

U.S. Medical Tubing Market