According to a recent study by Markets&Markets, the global market for antibacterial powder coatings will be about $1.5 billion in 2020 and reach $2.7 billion in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of up to 12% during this period. Due to the impact of COVID-19 epidemic, the demand for antibacterial powder coatings in the health sector continues to grow, and in the future, the level of attention to antibacterial powder coatings will continue to rise.
The global situation is grim, and the total number of infected people is still rising. In order to enable patients to receive proper treatment and curb the spread of the virus, temporary hospitals and facilities have been set up in many countries. These places, including the original hospitals, have the need to use antibacterial powder coatings, such as door handles, beds, diagnostic equipment, etc. This has played a positive role in the fight against novel Coronavirus.
The research indicates that in developed countries and regions, the application demand of air conditioning and ventilation system (HVAC) in residential, commercial, public institutions, industrial production and other places shows a trend of obvious increase. However, in the air circulation system, the influence of mold on air quality is the main concern of HVAC system. Mold spores from the outside enter the HVAC system and spread through the plumbing throughout the building, which in turn creates new mold colonies. More than 80 percent of indoor air quality and allergies are caused by mold, according to the World Health Organization. Many government agencies and industry organizations have established standards and regulations for indoor air quality in buildings. As a protective measure, antimicrobial powder coatings not only inhibit the growth of mold and other bacteria, but also reduce the maintenance cost of HVAC systems.
Global standards and regulations for indoor air quality have also been adjusted in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, resulting in a significant increase in the demand for antimicrobial coating treatment in HVAC systems. With improved air quality awareness and increased demand for HVAC system installations, antimicrobial powder coatings worldwide are expected to continue to grow at high rates over the next few years.
In developed countries and regions, antimicrobial products must also comply with standards and regulations issued by local government agencies. In the United States, for example, antibacterial powder coatings must comply with EPA regulations. Prior to approval, each antimicrobial powder coating must be risk assessed and identified by an independent scientific research institution, body (such as EPA, FDA, etc.) before it can be licensed to enter the market. In addition, in some areas, especially in the medical field, metal nanoparticles toxicity attracted attention, it has to do with the characteristics of these metals not nanoparticles morphology has the very big difference, mainly displays in the toxicity and biological activity of these metals, such as long-term exposure to silver, copper coating, may increase the risk of health (such as skin, breathing problems, etc.). Therefore, the development of antibacterial powder coatings is extremely challenging.
It is pointed out that as an antibacterial agent, silver is the fastest growing application demand in antibacterial powder coatings. Silver ion has good antibacterial and antiviral properties and is of low toxicity to human. Through continuous technological innovation, coating manufacturers have successfully applied silver antibacterial powder coatings to medical devices (such as surgical equipment, tissue implantation, etc.), thus promoting the development of antibacterial powder coating market. Analysts believe that antimicrobial powder coatings are the fastest growing in demand in the healthcare sector. Antibacterial powder coating is committed to the construction of a safe and clean environment, in hospitals, surgical facilities, dental equipment surface (such as galvanized steel, aluminum) to form a protective coating, these equipment including bed frame, wheelchair, guardrail, elevator, cart, etc., the probability of contact with patients is higher, easy to adhere to viruses, bacteria and so on.
According to the study, North America is the world's largest market for antibacterial powder coatings, with strong growth in the next five years. In North America, there has been increasing demand for the containment of pathogenic bacteria in health care, and stringent regulations on indoor air quality have prompted HVAC system manufacturers to use antibacterial powders to ensure air quality. Europe is the world's second largest market for antimicrobial powder coatings, with major markets including Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Russia. This is due to the improvement of people's awareness of food hygiene, indoor air quality safety and health in the region. In addition, they also attach great importance to the safety of medical staff and patients, especially during the coVID-19 outbreak. One of the measures to curb the spread of the virus is the use of antibacterial powder coating. |
