SUTURES MARKET ANALYSIS

Market Size and Trends

The sutures market is estimated to be valued at USD 4.26 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 7.45 Bn by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3% from 2024 to 2031.

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The global sutures market is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period. This is attributed to rising number of surgical procedures worldwide owing to the increasing incidence of chronic diseases and accidents. Additionally, increasing priority on wound management to reduce surgical site infections and faster recovery are further augmenting the demand for sutures. Moreover, growing focus on R&D activities to develop advanced products is also contributing to the market growth. Manufacturers are focusing on manufacturing sutures from synthetic polygalactin and poliglecaprone material which dissolves itself after healing. This helps in avoiding secondary surgical procedures required for suture removal and leaves no scars. However, the availability of alternative wound closure materials, such as surgical tapes and glues, may hamper the market growth to some extent during the forecast period.

Increasing investments in facility expansions for surgical sutures

The global sutures market has been witnessing significant investments from manufacturers towards expanding their production capacities. Sutures being an indispensable medical device for wound closure, these expansions aim to ensure adequate supply in meeting the ever-growing demand. For instance, in August 2023, Riverpoint Medical, a leading developer, designer, and manufacturer of medical devices, announced the opening of its new facilities and manufacturing site in Zona Franca Coyol, Costa Rica. With a US$ 10 million investment, the company aims to double its current workforce of 70 employees, growing to 140 associates in early 2024. Riverpoint Medical is the first custom suture manufacturer of absorbable, non-absorbable, and orthopedic fibers in Costa Rica, U.S. This strategic move capitalizes on Costa Rica’s capabilities as a medical manufacturing hub and its proficiency in medical device exports.

Market Concentration and Competitive Landscape

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The increasing number of surgical procedures is expected to drive the global sutures market growth over the forecast period. The global sutures market has been witnessing steady growth over the past few years owing to a rise in the number of surgical procedures being performed worldwide. Sutures or stitches are an integral part of almost every surgery to effectively close wounds or surgical incisions. As more and more people are opting for various elective and non-elective surgical treatments for different health conditions, the demand for sutures has increased significantly. For instance, according to data published on September 1, 2023 by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in 2022, more than 14.9 million surgical procedures were performed worldwide. According to data published on June 222 by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), each year, more than 2 million people around the world have open-heart surgery to treat various heart problems.

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One of the major factors restraining the growth of the global sutures market is the risk of surgical site infections associated with sutures. Surgical site infections occur when bacteria or other microorganisms enter through an incision or surgical wound and cause an infection. For instance, according to data published on January 17, 2023 by the American Medical Association, approximately 0.5% to 3% of patients undergoing surgery will experience infection at or adjacent to the surgical incision site. Compared to patients undergoing surgery who do not have a surgical site infection, those with a surgical site infection are hospitalized approximately 7 to 11 days longer.

Market Opportunities: Increasing research and development activities

Increasing research and development activities create huge opportunities for growth in the global sutures market. For instance, according to data published on February 14, 2023 by Institute of Physics, a team at RMIT University, a public research university in Australia is developing an antimicrobial suture that could play an important role in preventing such infections. The smart suture is also designed to be visible in Computed Tomography (CT) scans, enabling wound monitoring after surgery and enhancing patient recovery.

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The type segment includes absorbable sutures and non-absorbable sutures. The absorbable sutures segment is anticipated to hold 55.9% of the market share in 2024. Absorbable sutures are gradually becoming the standard of care as they overcome key limitations of non-absorbable sutures such as needing removal post-surgery. The inherent property of absorbable sutures to dissolve naturally inside the body relieves patients from the trauma of suture removal and risk of wound site infection associated with it. This reduces postoperative pain and recovery time for patients. Moreover, absorbable sutures such as catgut and polyglycolic acid dissolve and degrade harmlessly without causing any inflammatory response. Their strength retention characteristics allow them to hold tissues together for appropriate healing time before resorption. Therefore, absorbable sutures are being widely adopted in surgeries requiring intradermal and subcuticular placement where non-absorbable sutures may cause discomfort or visibility issues. Their growing benefits over non-absorbable sutures are translating into higher preference and market share for absorbable sutures.

Insights, By Application: Surging Cardiovascular Procedures Spur Demand in Cardiovascular Surgeries

The application segment includes cardiovascular surgeries, ophthalmic surgeries, general surgeries, gynecology surgeries, orthopedic surgeries, and others. Cardiovascular surgeries contribute the highest share of the sutures market and is projected to hold 26.4% of the market share in 2024. Sutures play an indispensable role in vascular anastomoses, closure of vascular incisions, and fixation of grafts and prostheses in various cardiac surgeries. Moreover, the prevalence of cardiovascular disorders, such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, and congenital heart defects, has been increasing significantly worldwide. This has spurred the demand for various interventional procedures like coronary artery bypass grafting and heart valve replacements. Favorable reimbursement policies along with technological advancements facilitating minimally invasive surgeries have also encouraged widespread adoption of cardiovascular procedures. As a result, cardiovascular surgeries are undergoing robust growth, thereby driving significant uptake of sutures in this application segment.

Insights, By Filament Type: Multifilament's Advanced Handling Boosts Preference

The filament type segment includes monofilament and multifilament. Multifilament contributes the highest share of the sutures market and is projected to hold 82.5% of the market share in 2024. Multifilament sutures have multiple smaller filaments braided or twisted together within the suture body. This confers them with greater elasticity and bending ability compared to monofilament. As a result, multifilament sutures can be easily threaded through needles and are more controllable and maneuverable during surgeries. Moreover, their elasticity allows for improved knot security with half hitch configurations. Multifilament also distributes tension more evenly along cross-sections and thus reduces localized pressure on healing tissue. Their smooth and supple handling characteristics have led to increasing preference among surgeons. This has validated multifilament sutures as an ideal choice across various surgical specialties, thereby driving their leading position in the sutures market.

Regional Insights

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North America has emerged as the largest regional market for sutures, accounting for over 37.9% of the market share. The strong industry presence of major players such as Ethicon (part of Johnson & Johnson) and Medtronic in countries like the U.S. and Canada has helped North America gain dominance in the sutures space. Additionally, sophisticated healthcare infrastructure and expenditure on surgical procedures have sustained the demand for advanced suture devices and techniques in this region over the years. With the region continuing to adopt minimally invasive surgeries at a robust pace, the utilization of sutures is expected to remain high given their indispensable usage in closing surgical incisions or wounds.

Among all regions, Asia Pacific has illustrated robust expansion and has cemented its position as the fastest growing market for sutures. Countries like India, China, Japan, and South Korea are driving the sutures market growth in Asia Pacific. The hospital infrastructure and healthcare systems are rapidly strengthening in the developing Asian countries, thereby supporting an increase in the number of surgeries annually. This has provided the necessary launchpad for suture companies to tap into Asia Pacific's potential. Further, less stringent regulatory environment compared to developed regions has encouraged local players to manufacture sutures and medical devices at lower costs for both domestic consumption as well as export purposes. This ensures adequate supply and competitive pricing of sutures in Asia Pacific, which has bolstered its demand. Increasing medical tourism across Asia Pacific is another factor attracting global MedTech giants to expand their sutures business in this fast-developing region.

Market Report Scope

Key Developments

• On September 12, 2023, Genesis Medtech, a medical device company, announced that the company had received a secured approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for its antibacterial sutures. The approval enables the company to immediately introduce absorbable sutures with antibacterial protection in China. These sutures are coated with a triclosan antimicrobial agent that exhibits activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
• In December 2022, Stryker, a medical technology company, announced the launch of a suture anchor system for foot and ankle surgical procedures called Citrefix The new system uses Citregen, a bioresorbable material designed to mimic the chemistry and structure of native bone. Citrefix is a disposable suture anchor system that features a resorbable biomimetic anchor body.
• In April 2021, Dolphin Sutures, an India-based manufacturer of surgical sutures, announced the launch of non-absorbable polytetrafluoroethylene sutures for the first time in India to expand its dental product portfolio. Polytetrafluoroethylene is a fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and is very strong, biologically inert, and knots well.
• In December 2021, Healthium Medtech Limited, a company that provides a range of products to support surgical needs, announced a partnership with DKSH Business Unit Healthcare, one of the leading partners for healthcare companies in Asia Pacific. DKSH Business Unit Healthcare and Healthium Medtech Limited expanded their partnership to encompass Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, where DKSH will provide full-service representation, manage distribution, and market Healthium Medtech Limited’s surgical products.

*Definition: The sutures market includes various medical thread materials and devices used to stitch cut or surgically incised skin and tissues to facilitate wound healing. Different types of sutures in this market include absorbable and non-absorbable sutures made of materials like catgut, polyglycolic acid, polyglactin 910, nylon, polypropylene, and stainless steel. Both coated and uncoated varieties are available for internal and external applications.

Market Segmentation

•  Type Insights (Revenue, USD BN, 2019 - 2031)
  • Absorbable Sutures
    • Natural Sutures
    • Synthetic Sutures
      • Poliglecaprone 25 Sutures
      • Polyglactin 910 Sutures
      • Polyglycoloc Sutures
      • Polydioxanone Sutures
      • Others
  • Non-absorbable Sutures
    • Nylon Sutures
    • Stainless Steel Sutures
    • Polypropylene Sutures
    • Silk
    • Others
•  Application Insights (Revenue, USD BN, 2019 - 2031)
  • Cardiovascular Surgeries
  • Ophthalmic Surgeries
  • General Surgeries
  • Gynecology surgeries
  • Orthopedic Surgeries
  • Others
•  Filament Type Insights (Revenue, USD BN, 2019 - 2031)
  • Monofilament
  • Multifilament
•  End User Insights (Revenue, USD BN, 2019 - 2031)
  • Hospitals
  • Clinics
  • Ambulatory Care Centers
  • Others
• Regional Insights (Revenue, USD BN, 2019 - 2031)
  • North America
    • U.S.
    • Canada
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Mexico
    • Rest of Latin America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • U.K.
    • Spain
    • France
    • Italy
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • Australia
    • South Korea
    • ASEAN
    • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • Middle East
    • GCC Countries
    • Israel
    • Rest of Middle East
  • Africa
    • South Africa
    • North Africa
    • Central Africa
• Key Players Insights
  • Medtronic Plc
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • SMI
  • Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc
  • GMD Group (General Medical Disposable)
  • Bentley Healthcare Pvt. Ltd.
  • Lotus Surgicals
  • Teleflex Incorporated
  • Sutumed
  • Lux Sutures
  • CliniSut
  • Smith & Nephew Plc
  • B. Braun Melsungen AG
  • CONMED Corporation
  • Unilene
  • Riverpoint Medical
  • Unisur Lifecare Pvt. Ltd.
  • Orion Sutures India Pvt Ltd
  • Dolphin Sutures
  • Peters Surgical
  • Meril Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd.
  • Corza Medical