Research Overview
Disposable vs. Reusable ? A Vital Debate for Market Growth
Dynamics between the disposable and reusable segments is a key factor
affecting the growth in the disposable drapes and gowns market. The penetration
of single-use surgical drapes and gowns varies significantly throughout Europe,
and is much less than that in the United States where disposables account for
over 80 per cent of the drapes/gowns utilised. Ingrained hospital practices
support the continuing use of traditional textile reusable products in many
European countries despite their inferiority to most single-use drapes and gowns
available. Furthermore, there have been some innovations to create ?ehigh-tech?f
reusable products with more effective barrier properties. While these products
may have some limitations, they are a significant source of competition for the
manufacturers of disposable products.
This Frost & Sullivan study explores the European market for disposable
surgical drapes and gowns in terms of revenues by geographic regions and market
segments. The research reviews the principal market drivers and restraints and
includes a detailed discussion on the technology for manufacturing non-woven
material providing the total costs for drapes and gowns.
New European Standard and Infection Control Regulations to Affect Market
Increasing awareness on the need for better infection control, particularly
with respect to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)
and hepatitis B, has increased the preference for drapes and gowns providing
improved bacterial barriers. "Due to their patient protecting properties,
drapes and gowns are now considered to be medical devices that have to comply
with the European Union Medical Device Directive (MDD) of 1993," notes the
analyst of the research. "This has led to the current development of a
European standard for drapes and gowns, which is expected to have a major impact
on the market for reusable and disposable surgical apparel."
Disposable Surgical Drapes and Gowns Gaining Increased Acceptance in the
European Surgical Industry
Nonwoven fabrics with their excellent liquid resistance, tensile strength and
hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties are gaining market attention. Meanwhile, the
use of traditional cotton and cotton-polyester mixed textiles is rapidly
decreasing as these fabrics fail to meet the requirements of the new standard.
The choice, then, is likely to be between single-use products and 'high-tech'
reusable products. However, studies show that the microbial penetration
resistance of single-use drapes and gowns is much superior to that of reusable
drapes and gowns, both traditional and ?ehigh-tech?f.
When total costs are considered, disposables tend to prove as less expensive
than reusables that involve overheads, and logistics costs of sterilisation and
laundering. In addition, the lower penetration levels make Europe an attractive
investment destination for major multinationals in the surgical drapes and gowns
markets. | 
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