However, factors such as questionable efficacy of antimicrobial coatings used in apparel, health issues associated with the use of active silver as the main ingredient and stringent regulations governing the antimicrobial coatings market are restraining growth, according to the study entitled Antimicrobial Coatings Market – Global Industry Analysis, Market Size, Share, Trends, Analysis, Growth and Forecast, 2012 – 2018 by Transparency Market Research.
The report observes that the antimicrobial coatings demand was worth $1.6bn in 2012 and is estimated to reach $3.3bn in 2018, growing at a CAGR over 12% from 2012 to 2018. North America is the global revenue leader in antimicrobial coatings and dominates the demand for these products.
Owing to the ability to ward off microbial growth effectively, there is a growing demand for antimicrobial coatings in medical applications such as catheters and other medical devices (pictured).
With the realisation that indoor air pollution can cause more harm to health, there had also been a noticeable rise in the use of antimicrobial coatings in improvement of indoor air quality, the study noted.
“Active silver has emerged as the most widely used raw material for antimicrobial coatings, as it is believed to show the highest efficacy levels compared to other compounds. Antimicrobial powder coatings demand is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.4% by volumes and at a CAGR of 9.1% by volume, from 2012 and 2018,” according to the report.
“Surface modifications and coatings account for the larger of the two product-based market shares and are expected to show steady growth rates at CAGR of 8.8% by volume and at CAGR of 12.2% by revenue from 2012 to 2018. The market has also been segmented on the basis of the microbes; the coatings offer protection against such as E. Coli, listeria, pseudomonas and others.”
