Medical Clothing Market – By Product (Surgical Drapes and Gowns, Scrubs, Facial Protection, Gloves), By Type (Reusable, Disposable), By Distribution Channel (Direct Sales, Retail Sales, Third-Party Distributors), End-Use, Global Forecast (2024 – 2032)

Medical Clothing Market Size

Medical Clothing Market size was valued at around USD 96.3 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.6% between 2024 and 2032. The market is expected to experience growth driven by the rising prevalence of chronic conditions, coupled with growing number of surgical procedures globally.
 

Medical clothing are garments worn by healthcare professionals, patients, and support staff in medical settings to maintain hygiene, prevent contamination, and ensure safety. These garments are designed to meet stringent standards for cleanliness, durability, and protection against infectious agents.
 

The increasing prevalence of chronic conditions is leading to the product adoption in the market, as healthcare facilities experience increased demand for such garments to safeguard patients and medical personnel against infections. For instance, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for approximately three-quarters of annual fatalities worldwide.
 

Moreover, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that six out of ten Americans are living with at least one chronic disease, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, or diabetes. For instance, heart disease, claimed the lives of approximately 695,000 individuals in 2021, stands as the foremost cause of mortality among American adults, accounting for around 20.1% of all deaths.
 

Moreover, a rise in surgical procedures including spinal surgery and interventions resulting from accidents and illnesses, is contributing to market expansion. In the U.S., prevalent surgeries encompass appendectomy, breast biopsy, carotid endarterectomy, cataract surgery, cesarean section, cholecystectomy, coronary artery bypass, mastectomy, partial colectomy, and prostatectomy. This dual trend of escalating chronic conditions and surgical interventions is anticipated to drive further growth in the market.
 

Medical Clothing Market Trends

• The latest technological advancements in medical clothing include the integration of smart clothing, fabrics, wearable technology, antimicrobial properties, sustainability, and customization. Smart fabrics are designed with built-in technologies to serve specific purposes, such as moisture-wicking, temperature-regulating, and stretchable fabrics that enhance comfort and ease of movement. For instance, the use of smart sensors like pressure sensors in medical apparel, such as foot ulcer sensor, which applies on sock or shoe to monitor pressure on a diabetic patient's foot and prevent the formation of ulcers.
   
• Moreover, antimicrobial property in medical clothing provides reliable protection against unwanted bacteria, ensuring superior performance without compromising the look, feel, or comfort of the fabric. For instance, integration of CERTAINTY antimicrobial protection in uniforms, such as Cherokee Workwear Revolution and Infinity by Cherokee scrubs. Products with such technology are treated with revolutionary antimicrobial technology for reliable protection against bacteria, enhancing the safety and hygiene of medical professionals wearing these uniforms. The advancements in technology are capturing the interest of both medical professionals and patients, potentially leading to a surge in demand for these innovative solutions.
   

Medical Clothing Market Analysis

The market, by product is categorized into surgical drapes and gowns, scrubs, facial protection, gloves, protective apparel, and other products. The surgical drapes and gowns segment dominated the market with a revenue of around USD 24.2 billion in 2023.
 

• Healthcare providers and institutions prioritize patient safety, aiming to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Surgical drapes and gowns play a crucial role in infection prevention protocols, safeguarding patients undergoing surgical procedures worldwide. This anticipation suggests a rising demand for these essential components.
   
• Furthermore, heightened awareness among healthcare professionals and patients regarding the significance of infection control measures during surgeries has resulted in increased utilization of surgical drapes and gowns. Initiatives focused on education, training, and guidelines emphasizing the importance of maintaining sterility further drive market expansion.
   

The medical clothing market, by type is categorized into reusable and disposable. The reusable segment dominated the market in 2023 with a market share of 60.5%.
 

• Reusable medical clothing is frequently crafted from top-grade materials engineered to endure numerous laundering and sterilization cycles without compromising functionality or durability. This resilience often translates into garments that last longer, providing superior protection and comfort for both healthcare professionals and patients.
   
• Additionally, while the upfront expense of reusable medical clothing may surpass that of disposable alternatives, over time, these garments can yield substantial cost savings. Through diligent care and maintenance, reusable items can endure multiple uses, diminishing the necessity for frequent replacements and thereby decreasing overall expenses for healthcare facilities. This is anticipated to drive the growth of this segment 
   

By distribution channel, the medical clothing market is categorized into direct sales, retail sales, third-party distributors, and other distribution channels. The direct sale segment held a significant market share in 2023 and expected to reach 61.3 billion by 2032.
 

• Direct sales often yield manufacturers higher profit margins, as they eliminate the necessity of paying commissions or fees to intermediaries. This enables manufacturers to retain a larger portion of the revenue from each sale, consequently optimizing profitability.
   
• Additionally, direct sales afford manufacturers increased flexibility to tailor products to meet specific customer needs. This customization may encompass various features such as sizing options, color preferences, branding, and specialized requirements for specific medical procedures or specialties. Such adaptability is anticipated to foster growth within this segment.

Based on end user, the medical clothing market is categorized into hospitals and clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, and other end-users. The hospitals and clinics dominated the market with significant market share of 45.5% in 2023.
 

• Hospitals and clinics typically have high patient volumes, leading to a constant need for medical clothing such as scrubs, gowns, and medical gloves. Healthcare professionals in such environments frequently alter their attire several times during a shift to uphold hygiene standards and prevent cross-contamination, consequently heightening the demand for medical clothing in these facilities.
   
• Furthermore, hospitals and clinics provide a diverse array of healthcare services, encompassing surgeries, diagnostic procedures, emergency care, and outpatient services. Each of these services necessitates distinct types of medical clothing customized to meet the requirements of both patients and healthcare providers, further driving the escalating demand for medical clothing in hospitals and clinics.

North America medical clothing market accounted for USD 38.4 billion in revenue in 2023 and is predicted to witness substantial market growth over the analysis timeline.
 

• Growing environmental consciousness and sustainability initiatives in North America have led to increased demand for eco-friendly and reusable medical clothing options.
   
• Healthcare facilities are exploring alternatives to traditional disposable garments to reduce waste generation and minimize their environmental footprint, increasing their demand in the region.
   

The U.S. held a dominant position in the medical clothing market, with a revenue of USD  36.2 billion in 2023.
 

• The anticipation of market growth is underpinned by the country's substantial healthcare expenditures, which stand among the highest globally. These expenditures are propelled by several factors, notably population growth, the aging demographic, and continuous advancements in medical technology. As such, the market is poised for expansion.
   
• The correlation between higher healthcare spending in the U.S. and the augmented demand for medical clothing is evident across various healthcare sectors. This demand extends to crucial establishments such as hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and outpatient centers. With the increasing need for healthcare services across these diverse settings, there arises a corresponding requirement for adequate medical attire to support the delivery of quality care.
   

Japan medical clothing market is anticipated to witness substantial growth during 2024-2032.
 

• Japan have been witnessing a rise in healthcare expenditure driven by factors like rising income levels, expanding healthcare coverage, and government initiatives. This increased investment in healthcare infrastructure and services has led to a higher demand for medical clothing to support the growing healthcare sector in the country.
   

China exhibits a high growth potential in the medical clothing market.
 

• Chinese government has been promoting responsible business conduct in the textile industry, which includes the production of medical clothing. For instance, in 2021, the Chinese government continued its efforts to "go global" in the textile and apparel sector, with outbound foreign investment and makes up approximately 74% of the investment in the textile industry. Such initiatives taken by government is expected to support the market growth.
   

Europe holds a substantial portion of the global medical clothing industry, with projections suggesting it may constitute approximately one-third of the market. Within this region, there is a pronounced increase in demand for diverse types of masks. This surge is propelled by factors including a burgeoning target population and heightened individual awareness. In Germany, there is a notable surge in the awareness of mask-wearing's significance, whether as a preventive measure against infectious diseases or during surgical procedures. This heightened awareness has spurred widespread adoption of masks among healthcare professionals and patients alike.
 

Medical Clothing Market Share

The medical clothing industry industry is fragmented in nature, with various large multinationals and small and mid-sized companies competing in the industry. The development and launch of novel treatments with improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness are key market strategies for medical clothing manufacturers, driving competition and innovation in the medical clothing industry.
 

Medical Clothing Market Companies

Some of the eminent market participants operating in the industry include:

• 3M Company
• Cardinal Health Inc
• Carhartt, Inc
• CHEROKEE UNIFORMS
• Henry Schein, Inc.
• Medline Industries, Inc
• Narang Medical Limited
• Owens & Minor, Inc.
• Prestige Medical
• Smith & Nephew plc
• Superior Group of Companies
   

Medical Clothing Industry News:

• In November 2023, Cardinal Health launched the SmartGown EDGE Breathable Surgical Gown with ASSIST Instrument Pockets. This gown is designed to provide surgical teams with safe and convenient instrument access in the operating room. This launch expands Cardinal Health's portfolio of Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) level 4 surgical gowns, and further solidifying its position in the market.
   

The medical clothing market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue in USD Million from 2021 – 2032 for the following segments:

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Market, By Product

• Surgical drapes and gowns
• Scrubs
• Facial protection
• Gloves
• Protective apparels
• Other products

By Type

• Reusable
• Disposable

By Distribution Channel

• Direct sales
• Retail sales
• Third-party distributors
• Other distribution channels

By End-use

• Hospitals and clinics 
• Ambulatory surgical centers         
• Other end-users

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Netherlands
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East and Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • UAE
  • Rest of Middle East and Africa