Asia, the continent with the fastest economic growth rate is the driver of global growth. Though over 40% of the global population is concentrated Asia, this continent currently consumes only 20% of the total plastics used in various medical applications. Growing awareness of public health and hygiene will necessitate the situation to change significantly in the coming decade. Economic growth resulting in increasing standard of living will inevitably increase the level of awareness of public health.

Let us first look at the various medical applications of plastics. The following table illustrates the present consumption pattern of plastics used in medical applications globally.

Medical applications use different raw materials with PVC still continuing as the single largest polymer used by the medical industry. The share of commodity plastics in medical application is 84%, with polyolefins constituting the chunk of share at almost 46%. The following table illustrates the present distribution of plastics material in medical application:

The usage pattern is heavily tilted in favour of North America, which consumes more than 50% of the plastics used in medical application. The following illustration shows the region-wise inequality very clearly:

Both North American and European markets have reached maturity levels and have less potential for growth. The illustration clearly indicates that growth in medical plastics consumption has maximum potential in the Asian region in this decade. China and India are likely to accept the challenge of providing healthcare to more than 40% of the global population that they share amongst themselves. Their economies are growing at over 6-8% for the last decade. Growing public expectations are bound to increase the expenditure on public health in the two countries not only by their Governments but also by their citizens, driving the growth of plastic in the medical applications.