Downstream application fields are becoming more and more extensive, and the market size of antibacterial plastics will continue to grow.

Antibacterial plastics are a type of plastic that can inhibit the proliferation or kill bacteria, mold, algae and even viruses stained on the plastic surface in the use environment. It keeps itself clean by inhibiting the reproduction of microorganisms. The development of China’s antibacterial industry began with the application of antibacterial plastics in home appliances. At present, antibacterial plastics have been widely used in the three major downstream markets of consumer goods, industry, and medical and health care, and will also be used in a wider range of fields in the future.

Industrial Research Center issued the 2023 Global and China Antibacterial “Plastics Industry In-Depth Research Report” shows that the global market size of antibacterial plastics will grow from US$45.5 billion in 2023 to US$71.2 billion in 2028, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.4%.

Antimicrobial plastics are widely used in the consumer, industrial, medical and healthcare markets. With global population growth, urbanization and domestic industry growth, the demand for antimicrobial plastics in the construction sector is driving market growth, especially in the single-family construction sector. The residential market is growing strongly. Governments around the world are investing more in infrastructure, fueling the expansion of the construction industry and increasing demand for antimicrobial plastics in construction applications.

​ ​ ​Inorganic additives will be the largest additive type in the antibacterial plastic market in 2023

​​​​Copper inorganic additives are mainly used in industries such as healthcare, consumer goods, and agriculture. These additives provide high thermal and electrical conductivity, good corrosion resistance and ease of formability. Hospitals, ambulances, public buildings and public transportation are some of the specific application scenarios for copper-added antimicrobial plastics. Zinc helps maintain color and prevent spoilage. Zinc inorganic additives are mainly used in the lining of food cans for packaging meat, fish, corn and peas.

​ ​ ​ Performance plastics is expected to register the highest CAGR in terms of global antimicrobial plastics value during the forecast period

​ ​ Compared with commodity plastics and engineering plastics, high-performance plastics are the most expensive plastic materials. The high-performance plastics market is expected to grow at a higher rate due to growing demand from industries such as healthcare, electronics and automotive. Although consumption of these plastics is low, the market size remains large due to high prices. High-performance polymers are used in high-end products, such as high-strength antimicrobial plastics to reduce weight in automobiles, and in medical devices that require mechanical properties, thermal stability and other properties, as well as antimicrobial protection.

​​ ​During the forecast period, the medical and healthcare fields will become the largest application market for antibacterial plastics

​ ​ ​ The healthcare sector is estimated to be the largest application for the antimicrobial plastics market during the forecast period. Commodity plastics such as PVC and PET are used to make surgical plastic equipment such as tubes, aprons and injectables. Additionally, increasing geriatric population, spread of various diseases, and demand for safe and hygienic lifestyle are also driving the market demand. This change in consumer purchasing behavior and structural changes in the consumer goods industry are expected to increase the demand for consumer plastics with antimicrobial properties during the forecast period.

Key players in the global antimicrobial plastics market include DuPont De Nemours, Inc. (US), BASF SE (Germany), Microban International (US), Sanitized AG (Germany), Biocote Limited (UK), Avient Corporation (US) and King Plastics Company (USA).