The rising demand for antimicrobial coatings in several industries due to the growing awareness on maintaining safety and hygiene, for which several regulations have been implemented presently, is the key factor driving the demand for such products. Due to the abovementioned factors, the global antimicrobial coatings are projected to witness significant growth during the forecast period (2021–2030).
To combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the major focus area was stopping the infection from spreading within hospitals. This has caused antimicrobial coatings to gain significant attention as devices with such a coating do not need to undergo harsh sterilization conditions, and they are relatively easier to disinfect, as the bacterial or viral particles do not stick to their surface. In addition to this, governments of several countries have initiated action plans to minimize the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in the present scenario. This, in turn, supports the growth of the market for antimicrobial coatings.
The antimicrobial coatings market is divided into powder and surface modifiers, on the basis of product. Out of these, the powder category acquired the larger market share in 2020. This is primarily attributed to the product's ability to alter the surface chemistry of a material by introducing several physical, chemical, and biological properties that differ from those found in it originally.
The antimicrobial coatings market is categorized into medical & healthcare, food & beverage, building & construction, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, protective clothing, transportation, and others, on the basis of application. Among these, the medical & healthcare category held the largest revenue share in 2020. This is attributed to the growing concern about HAIs and their impact on human health and wellbeing. As a result, several initiatives, such as the HAI Action Plan, have been implemented to prevent HAIs in acute-care settings.
Geographically, North America held the largest share in the market for antimicrobial coatings in 2020. This is mainly attributed to the Affordable Healthcare Act, which promotes the construction of medical centers in the U.S. In addition, HVAC companies are using antimicrobial coatings on the interior surfaces of such systems to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Players in the antimicrobial coatings industry are involved in product launches to gain a competitive edge. For instance, in May 2019, Nano-Care AG launched Liquid Guard, which creates an ultrathin layer of antimicrobial coating that inhibits the growth of bacteria and mold and controls odors.
Some of the key players in the global antimicrobial coatings market are AkzoNobel N.V., Nippon Paint Co. Ltd., PPG Industries Inc., Burke Industrial Coatings LLC, Diamond Vogel Paint Company, The Sherwin-Williams Company, Sono-Tek Corporation, and Trop Corporation.