India's medical textile market grows rapidly

In India's technical textile industry, the medical textile industry is one of the fastest growing industries. Medical textiles include textile materials for hygiene, health and personal care, and surgery.

India's medical textiles market is estimated at Rs 22,980 crore (2011), and the 2016 compound annual growth rate is expected to be 20% to reach Rs. 57.19 crore.

Medical technology products include: baby diapers, incontinence diapers, sanitary napkins, surgical sutures, disposables, medical dressings, contact lenses and artificial implants. In the various end products of medical textiles, sanitary napkins and medical dressings account for two-thirds of the total market size.

The main growth drivers of medical textiles in India are:

* Health awareness continues to increase. * Increase in disposable income. * The people's living standards have risen. * As a result of aging and population growth, people’s interest in health care, comfort, and longevity will increase.

Feminine hygiene products are rapidly being accepted in developing regions. The demand for surgical disposable bed sheets and surgical curtains, gowns and hats has also gradually increased and these products are now widely used in wards.

Because of the high initial R&D investment required, there are few existing health product manufacturers in India.