Wound Dressings Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Product (Advanced [Foam, Film, Hydrogel, Collagen, Alginate, Hydrocolloid, Hydrofiber] Traditional [Bandages, Tapes, Cotton]) Wound Type (Acute, Chronic) End User - Global Forecast to 2031

The Wound Dressings Market was valued at $9.93  billion in 2023. This market is expected to reach $16.15  billion by 2031, from an estimated $10.6  billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period 2024-2031.

Wound Dressings Market Size & Forecast

The growth of this market is driven by the increasing number of road accidents, a rise in the number of chronic wounds among the geriatric population, technological advancements in wound dressings, increasing awareness of wound care, and rising demand for first aid kits. Moreover, increasing home-based and outpatient wound care and growing demand for advanced wound dressings & antimicrobial dressings are expected to offer growth opportunities for the players operating in this market.

Wound Dressings Market Growth Drivers

Increasing Number of Road Accidents and Sports Injuries

Most road accidents are caused by overspeeding, distractions to drivers, and drunken driving. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2021, yearly, 3.16 million people died from accidental wounds globally. Furthermore, in November 2022, 29,000 people were injured in traffic accidents in Germany, and it is reported that the number of injuries increased by 9% compared to the same month a year earlier [Source: The Federal Statistical Office]. Similarly, according to the Italian National Institute of Statistics, in 2022, 165,889 road accidents occurred in Italy, resulting in 223,475 injuries.

Over the last decade, youth participation in sports activities has increased considerably. This rise in sports participation has brought about an associated increase in both traumatic and other injuries in athletes. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association and Sports Marketing Surveys, in the U.S., in 2021, nearly 232.6 million Americans participated in organized sports and fitness activities. It was further estimated that more than 1.1 million children aged 14 and younger were treated in hospital emergency rooms for sports-related injuries in 2021.

The increasing number of accidents and sports injuries is leading to an increased demand for wound dressing products.

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Rise in Cases of Chronic Wounds Associated with the Geriatric Population

The increasing geriatric population has influenced the rise in chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure ulcers. Diabetes is a long-term condition that leads to diabetic foot ulcers. According to the data published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in August 2023, the number of diabetic foot ulcers around the world ranges from 9.1 to 26.1 million yearly. Approximately 15–25% of people with diabetes mellitus people are diagnosed with a diabetic foot ulcer in their lifetime.

According to the data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in February 2024, more than 2.5 million people developed pressure ulcers in the U.S. Similarly, in 2022, venous leg ulcers affected approximately 1 in 500 people in the U.K. [Source: National Health Service (NHS)]. Such chronic injuries must be treated on a regular basis to avoid further severe infections and emergency conditions, fueling the demand for various wound dressings.

Wound Dressings Market Trends

Adoption of Multicolor Cartoon Printed Bandages in Children

Children, including younger ones, are more likely to get scars and wounds due to their increased physical activity and playing. The use of multicolored cartoon-printed bandages makes the wound-healing procedure less traumatic and more engaging and fun for kids. The visually appealing favorite cartoon characters and designs help reduce kids' fear, making children more ready to assist with dressing changes and wound management. This leads to improved wound healing results and enhances patient compliance.

Cartoon-print bandages provide many medical advantages through the National Health Service (NHS), including enhanced pediatric comfort and compliance, minimized stress and distraction, improved adherence to wound care, and facilitated communication between doctors and pediatric patients. These factors are the factors creating the trend for multicolored cartoon-printed bandages in children.

Growth in Bioactive Wound Dressings

The use of novel approaches has grown to support rapid wound healing. Another innovative approach is the incorporation of bioactive wound dressings, especially those made from polymer wound dressings. In addition, traditional dressings deal with moisture management and wound healing. Bioactive dressings produce therapeutic chemicals and have inherent characteristics that are helpful in wound healing. Comfort and benefits offered by the bioactive wound dressing, such as the ability to expedite healing, improve patient comfort, and reduce infection risks. Dressings, specifically collagen, growth factors, and boost tissue generation. They help in the development of new blood vessels and speed up the proliferation of healthy cells, allowing wounds to heal more quickly.

Wound Dressings Market Opportunity

Increasing Home Based and Outpatient Wound Care

According to data published by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, globally, the number of households with residents aged 70 years or older is projected to increase by 66% by 2035. In addition, the population aged 80 years or over is projected to triple, from 143 million in 2019 to 426 million in 2050. (Source: United Nations). As the aging population grows, the prevalence of chronic disorders, such as diabetes and vascular diseases, is rising, frequently resulting in chronic wounds. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) report, the prevalence of diabetic foot ulcers throughout Europe in 2022 ranged between 1.0% in Denmark and 17.0% in Belgium. Further, in the IDF Middle East and North Africa Region, in 2022, DFU prevalence was primarily between 5.0% and 20.0%. To Avoid hospitalization, many older people prefer to receive wound care at home or outpatient clinics.

Advanced wound dressings are being developed that are suitable for use at home and in outpatient settings. These dressings provide advantages such as ease of application and removal, longer wear time, better exudate control, and self-adhesive characteristics. These advancements allow doctors and patients to manage wounds efficiently outside of typical hospital settings.

Wound Dressings Market Analysis: Key Findings

By Product: In 2024, the Advanced Wound Dressings Segment to Dominate the Wound Dressings Market

Based on product, the wound dressings market is segmented into advanced wound dressings and traditional wound dressings. In 2024, the advanced wound dressings segment is expected to account for the larger share of 54.0% of the wound dressings market. The advanced wound dressings segment is further segmented into foam dressings, film dressings, hydrocolloid dressings, alginate dressings, collagen dressings, hydrogel dressings, super absorbent dressings, hydrofiber dressings, wound contact layers, and other wound dressings. The large market share of this segment can be attributed to the increasing number of diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers, and the benefits offered by the advanced wound dressing over the traditional wound dressings include minimizing the risk of complications, helping to prevent infection from developing in a wound, and improves healing process quickly.

Owing to the rising demand for advanced wound dressings, companies operating in this market are focusing on the introduction of innovative offerings. For instance, in January 2024, Medline Industries, LP (U.S.) launched OptiView Transparent Dressing with HydroCore Technology, a transparent wound dressing to aid in pressure injury prevention. This segment is also projected to register the fastest CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period of 2024-2031.

By Wound Type: In 2024, the Acute Wounds Segment to Dominate the Wound Dressings Market

Based on wound type, the wound dressings market is segmented into acute wounds and chronic wounds. The acute wounds segment is further segmented into surgical wounds, traumatic wounds, and burns. In 2024, the acute wounds segment is expected to account for the larger share of the wound dressings market.

The large market share can be attributed to the increasing number of sports injuries and accidents. According to the National Safety Council, in 2022, sports and recreational injuries increase by 12%. Similarly, according to the Insurance Information Institute, Inc., in 2022, 405,411 bicycle and accessories injuries, 265,747 football injuries, and 50,643 volleyball injuries occurred in the U.S. Thus, the increasing number of injuries and accident cases drives the growth of this segment.

By End User: The Hospitals & Clinics Segment to Dominate the Wound Dressings Market

Based on end users, the hospitals & clinics market is segmented into hospitals & clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, home care settings, and other end users. In 2024, the hospitals & clinics segment is expected to account for the largest share of 59.0% of the wound dressings market. The large market share of this segment can be attributed to the advancements in wound dressings, increased adoption of foam dressings, film dressings, collagen dressings, and many other dressings by hospitals & clinics, and a large number of patient visits for wound dressings and surgical procedures in hospitals & clinics due to the high burden of the geriatric population and associated with chronic wounds.

However, the home care settings segment is expected to register the fastest growth in the wound dressings market during the forecast period, with a CAGR of 7.1%. Factors contributing to its growth include a rise in the number of chronic wounds associated with the geriatric population and growing awareness regarding home care facilities and wound management.

Geographical Analysis

In 2024, North America is expected to account for the largest share of 35.9% of the wound dressings market, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific. North America’s significant market share can be attributed to several key factors, including the presence of major wound dressings companies such as Medline Industries, LP (U.S.), HARTMANN USA, Inc. (U.S.), and Cardinal Health, Inc. (U.S.), increasing healthcare expenditure, increasing demand for the first aid kits, higher adoption for technologically advanced wound dressings, an increasing number of road accidents and traumatic injuries (According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), in 2021, there was 39,508 fatal motor vehicle crashed in the U.S.) are some of the major factors driving the growth of this regional segment.

Moreover, the market in Asia-Pacific is slated to register the highest growth rate of 7.5% during the forecast period. The growth of this regional market is attributed to the growing awareness regarding wound care and management in countries such as China and India, growing healthcare infrastructure, rising healthcare spending, and increasing demand for antimicrobial dressings.

Wound Dressings Market: Key Companies

The report offers a competitive analysis based on an extensive assessment of the leading players’ product portfolios, geographic presence, and key growth strategies adopted in the last 3–4 years. Some of the key players operating in the wound dressings market are 3M Company (U.S.), Cardinal Health, Inc. (U.S.), Smith & Nephew plc (U.K.), Integra LifeSciences Corporation (U.S.), Mölnlycke Health Care AB (Sweden), Coloplast A/S (Denmark), Convatec Group PLC (U.K.), DeRoyal Industries, Inc. (U.S.), Hollister Incorporated (U.S.), Medline Industries, LP (U.S.), Organogenesis Inc. (U.S.), Winner Medical Co., Ltd. (China), HARTMANN USA, Inc. (U.S.), and Lohmann & Rauscher GmbH & Co. KG (Germany).

Wound Dressings Industry Overview: Latest Developments from Key Industry Players

• In January 2023, Convatec Group PLC (U.K.) launched the ConvaFoam, an advanced foam dressing for wound management and skin protection.

• In September 2022, Evonik Industries AG (Germany) signed an agreement with Coopmed (Danmark) for the distribution of epicite wound dressing.

• In June 2022, Medline Industries, LP (U.S.) launched the Optifoam Gentle EX Foam Dressing to help reduce pressure injuries.
• In February 2021, Axio Biosolutions Pvt Ltd. (India) received the European CE Mark approval for MaxioCel, absorbent wound dressings. This MaxioCel is based on Bioactive Microfiber Gelling technology, which promotes healing via faster granulation. It also gives comfort and has been demonstrated in clinical research to heal chronic wounds more quickly, including diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, cavity wounds, venous leg ulcers, donor sites, skin abrasions, and postoperative surgical wounds.

Wound Dressings Market Research Summary

Key questions answered in the wound dressings market report: