Market Overview
The Asia Steam Sterilizer and Washer Disinfector market is US$ XX million in 2023 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of XX% during the forecast period (2024-2031) to reach a value of US$ XX million in 2031.
A Washer Disinfector is a medical device used for the automated cleaning of surgical instruments and work by combining impingement, water temperature, and detergent to clean heat-resistant and heat-sensitive devices. Steam Sterilizers, refers to a pressure vessel that uses high-pressure steam to eliminate pathogens that can cause serious diseases in humans and animals.
Steam sterilization relies on three parameters to eliminate microbes and organisms: time, temperature, and pressure. These parameters can be manipulated into different cycles to meet the sterilization requirements of various types of loads, including red bags, media, glassware, cages, animal bedding, and pipette tips. There are three types of steam sterilization cycles recognized by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). They are gravity, prevacuum and steam flush pressure pulse (SFPP). These cycles differ in the way air is removed from the load during conditioning and may have different exposure times depending on the type of load being processed. Both Prevacuum and SFPP are classified as Dynamic Air Removal cycles by AAMI. All validated steam sterilization cycles provide efficacious autoclave sterilization when used according to manufacturer's instructions, but dynamic air removal cycles are preferred because they are more efficient than gravity cycles at removing air from the load. The SFPP cycle conditions the load through a series of carefully controlled pressurizations and flushes with steam. No vacuum is drawn during conditioning and chamber pressures do not drop below atmospheric. Therefore, there is no need to conduct a daily Bowie-Dick test. Since the pressure in the chamber is greater than the ambient air pressure, reintroduction of air into the chamber through plumbing or seal leaks is eliminated, reducing the possibility of load recontamination.
Market Dynamics
Rise in the prevalence of hospital-acquired infections
The major factors driving the market are the rise in the prevalence of hospitalacquired infections, advancements in infection control products, increasing cases of chronic diseases such as cancer, and diabetes, and others which helps the market to grow during the forecast period. Hospital-acquired infections (healthcare-associated infections) are nosocomially acquired infections that are not present or incubating at the time of admission to a hospital. These infections include catheter-associated urinary tract infections, central line-associated bloodstream infections, surgical site infections, ventilatorassociated pneumonia, hospital-acquired pneumonia, and Clostridium difficile infections. For instance, according to the World Health Organization report 2022, Hospitalacquired infections (HAIs) are diseases acquired in a hospital or other healthcare institution and manifest 48 hours or more after admission or within 30 days of discharge. Pathogens that cause hospital-acquired infection include viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Bloodstream infections (BSI), pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTI), and surgical site infections are the most prevalent illnesses (SSI). These infections endanger the patient's health and life and lengthen hospital stays, adding to the financial burden. These infections account for around 7% and 10% of all reported infections in developed and developing nations.
Increasing awareness of infection control
The importance of preventing infection and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in health care is being recognized increasingly in many national and global health efforts. Over the years, the central role infection prevention and control (IPC) has been reflected in the emerging priorities of the World Health Organization’s Member States, and their partners. IPC action is acknowledged as playing a prominent role in curbing emerging and ongoing threats in health-related activities ranging from water, sanitation and hygiene and health worker and patient safety to preventing specific conditions, such as AMR and sepsis. It is critical to the provision of high-quality and safe health care, and lies at the core of health emergency preparedness and response. For instance, On 7 April, idsMED Vietnam’s Infection Control team held the workshop on "Operating principles, structure and advantages of Washer Disinfectors" at the Bach Mai hospital. At the workshop, idsMED Vietnam introduced the Washer Disinfectors to the hospital’s doctors and nurses and explained its advantages over hand washing. In addition, the operating principles and structure of the Washer Disinfectors were also introduced to the attendants.
Restraints
High Initial Cost
The high initial cost of advanced steam sterilizers, particularly those with automation and intelligent features, presents a significant obstacle for many healthcare facilities, especially in developing regions. The initial cost for an autoclave can range from a few thousand dollars for smaller models to tens of thousands for larger, hospital-grade units. The recurring costs involve water, energy, and periodic maintenance. However, due to its widespread use and efficiency, the per-cycle cost is often lower compared to other methods. The costs of an autoclave can vary greatly because of the various uses and applications of this technology. Industrial and pharmaceutical autoclaves are customized and manufactured for a specific use and therefore costs are likely to differ compared to autoclaves you find in a hospital or dental office. In healthcare applications, the costs of an autoclave can range by capacity and installation method. Beyond the initial cost of the autoclave, the maintenance and cost of sterility assurance and monitoring products is considered. Depending on the autoclave manufacturer, the costs per cycle, utility consumption and maintenance costs vary over time and is evaluated to compare total-cost-of-ownership over time.
Difficulty in surveillance and reporting requirements
The market is hampered by various factors like, difficulty in surveillance and reporting requirements, stringent regulatory approvals and others which hinder the market during the forecast period. As IPs should know the various agencies and regulatory entities that oversee/publish standards for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The associated bodies include the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) as part of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and state and federal health agencies. As per the report found of the complexity of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) surveillance, it has been estimated that 45% of IP time is consumed by this activity. Manual surveillance activities demand more time and are prone to errors which negatively impact process improvement and IPC program effectiveness. In addition, manual surveillance processes leave IPs with less time for other patient safety efforts that will be equally if not more, important. The use of a sufficient automated infection prevention surveillance software system should facilitate data collection, reporting, and analysis burdens in realtime. Maintaining an automated program for IPC surveillance and reporting improves accuracy, ensures time efficiency, and should be classified as a requirement for any highly reliable and effective IPC program. Thus, from the above factors, the market is expected to be hampered in the forecast period.
Covid-19 Impact Analysis
The pandemic necessitated heightened hygiene protocols, leading to a dramatic rise in the demand for sterilizers across various sectors. Hospitals, clinics, research labs, and even manufacturing facilities required them for effectively sterilizing medical equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), and research materials. The COVID-19 pandemic and other recent large disease outbreaks have highlighted the extent to which healthcare settings can contribute to the spread of infections, harming patients, health workers and visitors if insufficient attention is paid to infection prevention and control (IPC). But a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that where good hand hygiene and other cost-effective practices are followed, 70% of those infections can be prevented. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in every 20 patients admitted for treatment will develop a nosocomial infection. Hospital-acquired infections result in more than 99,000 deaths each year. Overall, COVID-19 had an impact by affecting various departments, products and others which indeed affected the market’s growth during the forecast period.
Segmentation Analysis
The Steam Sterilizer segment is US$ XX million in 2023 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of XX% during the forecast period (2024-2031) to reach a value of US$ XX million in 2031. The ability to withstand repeated sterilization is a critical requirement for any material used in reusable medical devices. Steam sterilization is the most commonly used method and uses pressurized steam at 121 °C to 134 °C (250 °F to 273 °F) for up to 18 minutes. As with all sterilization techniques, medical devices are chemically washed and disinfected prior to autoclaving. They may also be exposed to other chemicals, such as morpholine, which are often added to central steam sterilization systems to inhibit corrosion in the lines. All things considered, it is one of the most severe sterilization environments for materials.
Performed by supplying dry, saturated steam under pressure, moist heat sterilization (or autoclaving) is used in hospitals to sterilize the surfaces of various utensils, such as hollow items or wrapped goods. The heat from the steam condensation wraps the items in the sterilizer, simply eliminating the microorganisms. Irreversibly damaging the cells via coagulation is the result. Objects sterilized using moist heat need to be non-heat-sensitive items, for example, reusable medical equipment, dental instruments, simple surgical instruments, textiles or surgical equipment with cavities. Moist heat sterilization takes at least three minutes at 134 °C and a pressure of 3 BAR, or at least 15 minutes at 121 °C and a pressure of 2 BAR. Beneficial for pharmaceutical products and so on, using saturated steam to sterilize pharmaceutical equipment, products, and reagents is a widely used sterilization method, an energy-efficient process due to the latent heat released when steam condenses on the items. Objects which are sterilized using moist heat are usually non-heat-sensitive items, e.g., reusable medical equipment, dental instruments, simple surgical instruments, textiles or surgical equipment with cavities. Making the vital vacuum can be challenging as insufficient level results in a limited capability for the steam to infiltrate cavities in instruments. The benefits of the steam sterilization process include being non-toxic and simple to control. The key parameters are drying, air removal, steam contact, time, moisture, temperature and pressure, the latter two being the most crucial factors.
Country Analysis
The China Country is US$ XX million in 2023 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of XX% during the forecast period (2024-2031) to reach a value of US$ XX million in 2031. China boasts a thriving market for steam sterilizers and washer disinfectors, catering to the growing demand for advanced sterilization solutions in healthcare facilities. China's healthcare sector is experiencing rapid expansion, fueled by government investments and rising citizen awareness. This, coupled with stricter infection control regulations, is driving a surge in demand for steam sterilizers and washer disinfectors, propelling the market towards significant growth. For instance, The National Health Commission's "Disinfection and Sterilization Management Guideline for Medical Institutions" (2020) mandates the use of qualified steam sterilizers and washer disinfectors in hospitals and clinics. This policy shift creates a substantial demand base for compliant equipment
National Bureau of Statistics data reveals that the production value of sterilization equipment in China reached over 20 billion yuan in 2022, reflecting a robust market driven by domestic production and sales. The Chinese government is investing heavily in healthcare, which is leading to an increase in the number of hospitals and clinics. This is driving the demand for steam sterilizers and washer disinfectors, which are essential for preventing the spread of infection. For instance, recently Shinva, a China based company launched Endoscope Washing - Automatic Flexible Endoscope Washer Disinfector having various features like Endoscope leakage test, printer and self-disinfection features. Rider series automatic endoscope washer can finish the entire washing and disinfection process for one piece of flexible endoscope within 15 minutes, greatly improving the efficiency of endoscopes turnover. The Endoscope leakage test will be finished before contacting with the liquid in the chamber, and can make continuous testing during the cycle. When the detected leakage value exceeds the set allowable value, the system will issue a visual and audible alarm signal, and automatic terminate the cycle. The printer can print the washing and disinfection process data for each endoscope, making it easy for users to archive records. The self-disinfection function can thoroughly disinfect the machine chamber and pipe, including the 0.1um filter, to prevent the washer-disinfector from becoming a source of pollution. Also, LK/QX Series Washer Disinfector is developed in accordance with ISO 15883 and other related international regulations and actual washing and disinfection requirements in hospitals by Laoken. Fully automatic process for washing, disinfecting, drying and maintaining that highly improves washing efficacy and turnover time of medical instruments, and in the meantime protects the safety of operators and avoids cross infection.
Company Share Analysis
The Asia Steam Sterilizer and Washer Disinfector market is expected to be moderately competitive, owing to the presence of big brands. Also, the market is expanding due to the presence of several large and regional players entering into the market. The key players which are contributing to the growth of the region market include E CHUNG MACHINERY CO., HIRAYAMA Manufacturing Corporation, Nanbei Instrument Limited, SHINVA MEDICAL INSTRUMENT CO., LTD., Ningbo YinZhou Sjia Lab Equipment Co.,LTD, Cistron Systems Private Limited, Genist Technocracy Pvt Ltd, BIOBASE Group, Getinge AB, Laoken, Hefei Qianbaijian Medical Equipment Co,Ltd and among others. The key players are adopting strategies such as partnerships, mergers, acquisitions and regional expansion to stand out as strong competitors in the market.
