Gelatin Sponge Market Analysis

Gelatin sponge are generally small, sterile, and surgical sponges that are used in surgical procedures, as a hemostatic device. Each gelatin sponge is capable of absorbing and holding blood, according to its mesh size. Gelatin sponges are manufactured using specially treated and purified gelatin solution. Gelatin sponge marketed products are sterile and are intended for single use, as reuse can result in transmission of HIV and hepatitis, which can endanger patients and health care providers.

Global Gelatin Sponge Market - Impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was first reported on December 31, 2019, in Wuhan, China. The World Health Organization declared COVID-19, as pandemic on March 11, 2020.

According to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Weekly Epidemiological Update by the World Health Organization, over 148,329,348 cases and 3,128,962 deaths due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported till April 28, 2021, across the globe.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and resulting lockdown in various countries across the globe has impacted the financial status of businesses in all sectors. The private healthcare sector is one of the sectors, which has been majorly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has negatively impacted the global gelatin sponge market by affecting directly on development, production, and supply of medical devices. It has also affected growth of the pharmaceutical businesses of various companies globally due to lockdowns implemented by governments of several countries. The nationwide lockdowns have led to closure of industrial establishments, except manufacturing of essential commodities and disruption in supply chain of the pharmaceuticals and kits for diagnostic and therapeutic use.

Impact on Supply Chain

The coronavirus or COVID-19 outbreak that started from Wuhan, China has spread across continents, affecting various industries globally. Supply of key materials has been severely disrupted due to the forced quarantine, and lack of labor and raw materials. As the link between regional warehouses is not smooth, the transportation of raw materials between regions cannot be carried out successfully. Thus, shortage of raw materials and components have affected the supply chain of the global gelatin sponge market.

According to the article published in the Frontiers journal in September 2020, several animal processing plants were shut down in the U.S. in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection. This led to 45% reduction in pig processing. Moreover, improper carcass disposal also posed a problem and served as a breeding ground for pathogens. This has led to the decrease in the rate of production of gelatin.

The above mentioned are some of the reasons which were responsible for hampering the production and commercialization of gelatin sponge.

Impact on Demand

According to the article published in the NCBI in May 2020, few cases of internal bleeding in the pneumonia patients were also observed. Currently, research is in progress to evaluate the relationship between pneumonia and bleeding in COVID-19 positive patients.

Furthermore, according to the article published in the Lancet Rheumatology Journal: February 1,2021, in the Europe, around 100,000 joint replacement surgeries were cancelled during the first COVID-19 wave of 2020. These factors are expected to affect demand for gelatin sponge and thereby expected to hamper the market growth.

The global gelatin sponge market is estimated to be valued at US$ 208.4 Mn in 2021, and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 6.4% over the forecast period (2021-2028).

Gelatin Sponge Market Report Coverage

Report Coverage	Details
Base Year:	2020	Market Size in 2021:	US$ 208.4 Mn
Historical Data for:	2017 to 2020	Forecast Period:	2020 to 2027
Forecast Period 2021 to 2028 CAGR:	6.4%	2028 Value Projection:	US$ 321.8 Mn
Geographies covered:	North America: U.S. and Canada Latin America: Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Rest of Latin America Europe: Germany, U.K., Spain, France, Italy, Russia, and Rest of Europe Asia Pacific: China, India, Japan, Australia, South Korea, ASEAN, and Rest of Asia Pacific Middle East: GCC, Israel, and Rest of Middle East Africa: South Africa, North Africa, and Central Africa
Segments covered:	By Origin: Porcine, Bovine By Distribution Channel: Private, Public
Companies covered:	Pfizer Inc., Gajanan Surgical Industries, B. Braun Medical Inc., GELITA MEDICAL, Ferrosan Medical Devices A/S, Equimedical B.V., Insta-Cure Pvt. Ltd., CuraMedical B.V., Shri Gopal Krishna Labs Pvt. Ltd., Aegis Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd., Angel Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd., EON Meditech Pvt. Ltd., Goodwill Lifesciences, Mil Laboratories Pvt. Ltd, and Eucare Pharmaceuticals (P) Ltd.
Growth Drivers:	Increasing number of surgical procedures Increasing research and development activities Rising healthcare expenditure
Restraints & Challenges:	Availability of alternatives to gelatin sponge Safety concerns

 Figure 1: Global Gelatin Sponge Market Share (%) Analysis, By Origin, 2021

The increasing number of surgical procedures is the major factor that is expected to drive the market growth over the forecast period.

The rising number of surgical procedures is expected to drive growth of gelatin sponge market over the forecast period. For instance, according to the World Cancer Journal: 2020, the following table shows the prevalence of different cancers in both the sexes worldwide. Therefore, increasing prevalence of cancer among the global population is expected to increase the number of surgeries performed, which in turn is expected to boost growth of the market over the forecast period.

Moreover, increasing number of research and development activities for improving the effectiveness of gelatin sponge is expected to aid in the growth of the market over the forecast period. For instance, in 2019, Deep Life Medical Ltd announced to complete the phase 2 clinical trial of interventional study on comparing the effectiveness of gelatin sponge with anugel for pain management after hemorrhoidectomy.

The rising healthcare expenditure is expected to provide access to surgical procedures for the patients, which in turn is expected to drive the global gelatin sponge market growth over the forecast period. For instance, according to the Research America 2018 report, the U.S. government invested around 4.97% of country’s GDP in 2016, which increased to 5.03% in 2017, in the medical and health research & development sector. Moreover, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, February 2018, China’s expenditure on research and development increased by 11.6% in 2017 from 10.6% in 2016, accounting for US$ 280 Mn in 2017.

Global Gelatin Sponge Market – Restraints

However, growth of the gelatin sponge market may be hampered, owing to the presence of alternatives to absorbable gelatin sponge in the market. For instance, on March 17, 2020, the scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, developed starch-based absorbable hemostatic agents, in order to stop rapid blood-loss during accidents. This hemostat consists of biodegradable micro particles made up of starch, and upon absorption of fluid, the micro particles combine to form gel, which helps in rapid clotting of the blood. Moreover, the product  offers various benefits over the existing products such as reduced toxicity, as compared to gelatin products, increased absorption, cost-effective, biocompatible, as well as biodegradable.

Global Gelatin Sponge Market – Regional Analysis

On the basis of region, the global gelatin sponge market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa.

North America is expected to hold dominant position in the global gelatin sponge market over the forecast period, owing to rising number of surgical procedures. For instance, according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention 2017, around 48.9 million of surgeries were performed with an estimation of 25.7 million surgeries were performed in hospitals and 22.5 million were performed in ambulatory surgical centers in the U.S.

Key players are focused on expanding their product portfolio and plant capacity, which are expected to drive growth of the market in Asia Pacific. For instance, in 2018, Healthium MedTech Pvt. Ltd., an India-based medical devices manufacturer, expanded its product portfolio in three areas of surgical care – wound closure, minimally invasive, and urology at their existing plant in Bengaluru, India.  Moreover, in the wound closure segment, the company has plans to introduce gelatin sponge products for management of injuries.

Figure 2: Global Gelatin Sponge Market Value (US$ Mn), by Region, 2020

Global Gelatin Sponge Market – Competitive Landscape

Major players operating in the global gelatin sponge market include Pfizer Inc., Gajanan Surgical Industries, B. Braun Medical Inc., GELITA MEDICAL, Ferrosan Medical Devices A/S, Equimedical B.V., Insta-Cure Pvt. Ltd., CuraMedical B.V., Shri Gopal Krishna Labs Pvt. Ltd., Aegis Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd., Angel Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd., EON Meditech Pvt. Ltd., Goodwill Lifesciences, Mil Laboratories Pvt. Ltd, and Eucare Pharmaceuticals (P) Ltd.