U.S. Medical Disposables Market Size and Growth
The U.S. medical disposables market size was exhibited at USD 134.16 billion in 2023 and is projected to hit around USD 684.52 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 17.7% during the forecast period 2024 to 2033.
Key Takeaways:
Plastic resin dominated the market and held the highest revenue share of 58.3% in 2023.
Nonwoven material is projected to witness the fastest growth of CAGR 18.4% over the forecast period.
Hospitals dominated the market with the highest revenue market share of 54.25% in 2023.
Home healthcare is projected to witness the fastest growth rate of CAGR 18.1% during the forecast period.
Sterilization supplies dominated the market and held the highest revenue market share of 11.1% in 2023.
Diagnostic and laboratory disposables is projected to witness the fastest CAGR of 19.6% during the forecast period.
Market Overview
The U.S. medical disposables market stands as one of the most vital pillars of the healthcare supply chain, encompassing a wide range of single-use medical products essential to routine patient care, infection control, and clinical diagnostics. From disposable gloves and syringes to wound care dressings and non-woven surgical drapes, medical disposables are the unsung heroes of hospitals, outpatient centers, diagnostic labs, and home healthcare settings. Their adoption is rooted in the critical need for hygiene, cost-effectiveness, and operational efficiency especially in a healthcare system as expansive and high-volume as that of the United States.
The rising burden of chronic diseases, the aging population, and the increased frequency of surgical procedures are collectively fueling demand for disposable medical products. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic acted as a major accelerant, sharply increasing consumption of masks, gloves, gowns, and sanitizers across both clinical and community settings. Even as the acute phase of the pandemic recedes, the emphasis on infection prevention, healthcare worker safety, and rapid diagnostics has become deeply embedded in clinical workflows.
With healthcare moving toward outpatient and home settings, demand for easy-to-use, portable, and affordable disposables is growing. Additionally, healthcare facilities are seeking sustainable alternatives to reduce waste and comply with green procurement standards. Major companies like Cardinal Health, 3M, Becton Dickinson, Medline, and Owens & Minor continue to expand their product portfolios and domestic manufacturing capacity to meet growing needs. Supported by robust regulatory oversight, public and private healthcare spending, and a large installed base of healthcare facilities, the U.S. medical disposables market is projected to witness sustained and transformative growth.
Major Trends in the Market
Rising demand for infection prevention and control products post-COVID-19: Single-use gloves, masks, and gowns remain in high demand across healthcare facilities and public sectors.
Surge in outpatient and home-based care: Demand for portable disposables like insulin pens, IV kits, and wound care supplies is increasing in non-hospital settings.
Adoption of eco-friendly and biodegradable disposables: Hospitals are sourcing sustainable alternatives to reduce medical waste and comply with environmental guidelines.
Shift toward pre-packaged and sterile kits: Custom procedure trays and sterile kits are improving workflow efficiency in emergency and surgical departments.
Automation and digital supply chain integration: Disposables are being tracked with barcodes and RFID for inventory optimization and regulatory compliance.
Increase in diagnostic disposables due to decentralized testing: Point-of-care tests and at-home diagnostic kits are driving demand for specimen collection and testing consumables.
Growth of private-label disposable brands: Retailers and pharmacy chains are launching in-house disposable products, expanding accessibility and affordability.
Report Scope of U.S. Medical Disposables Market
Report Coverage
Details
Market Size in 2024
USD 157.91 Billion
Market Size by 2033
USD 684.52 Billion
Growth Rate From 2024 to 2033
CAGR of 17.7%
Base Year
2023
Forecast Period
2024-2033
Segments Covered
Product, Raw Material, End-use
Market Analysis (Terms Used)
Value (US$ Million/Billion) or (Volume/Units)
Regional Scope
U.S.
Key Companies Profiled
Medline Industries, Inc.; Smith+Nephew; Bayer AG; BD (Becton, Dickinson & Company); 3M; Cardinal Health
Key Market Driver: Increasing Surgical Volumes and Hospital Admissions
A significant driver propelling the U.S. medical disposables market is the increasing number of surgical procedures and hospital admissions. Each surgical case requires a host of disposable items—from gloves, gowns, and masks to surgical drapes, sutures, and wound dressing materials. According to the American Hospital Association, more than 50 million inpatient and outpatient surgeries are performed annually in the U.S., and this number is expected to grow as the population ages and lifestyle diseases increase.
The increasing prevalence of orthopedic, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal surgeries is placing heightened pressure on hospitals to maintain uninterrupted supplies of sterile, single-use products. Disposable instruments reduce cross-contamination risks, simplify sterilization logistics, and lower the risk of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), which affect over 5% of hospitalized patients annually. To enhance operational readiness and patient safety, hospitals are partnering with suppliers for auto-replenishment of critical disposables, creating robust long-term demand in the market.
Key Market Restraint: Environmental Concerns and Regulatory Scrutiny on Waste
Despite the advantages of medical disposables in infection control and operational efficiency, their widespread use poses significant environmental challenges. The U.S. healthcare sector is responsible for approximately 5 million tons of waste annually, with a substantial share stemming from single-use products. Disposables made from non-biodegradable plastics and rubber often end up in landfills or incinerators, leading to increased carbon emissions and soil contamination.
Growing environmental activism and new sustainability mandates from state governments and institutions are putting pressure on healthcare providers and manufacturers to reduce plastic use, improve recycling, and switch to biodegradable alternatives. However, transitioning to green disposables comes with cost implications and performance trade-offs, particularly in sterile and surgical environments. Regulatory authorities such as the FDA and EPA are increasing scrutiny of medical waste management practices, which could limit the use of certain disposables or drive up compliance costs, restraining market growth in the long run.
Key Market Opportunity: Rapid Expansion of Home Healthcare and Remote Patient Monitoring
The ongoing shift of care from hospitals to home environments presents a compelling opportunity for the medical disposables market. With the rise of remote patient monitoring, telemedicine, and post-acute care at home, patients require access to medical-grade disposables for wound care, drug delivery, hygiene, and diagnostics. Disposable syringes, infusion sets, diabetic test strips, incontinence pads, and bandages are increasingly being used by caregivers and patients in residential settings.
This shift is supported by cost-containment goals of payers, patient preference for home-based recovery, and technological innovation in user-friendly medical devices. Companies are responding by designing packaging, instructions, and labeling tailored for non-professionals. For instance, prefilled drug delivery systems, sterile bandage kits, and point-of-care testing kits are seeing higher adoption. As the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expands coverage for home-based care, demand for medical disposables in this channel is expected to surge, offering significant growth potential.
U.S. Medical Disposables Market By Raw Materials Insights
Plastic resin is the most widely used raw material in medical disposables due to its versatility, cost-effectiveness, and compatibility with sterilization. Products such as syringes, gloves, IV bags, and surgical instruments predominantly use polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC. The durability and moldability of plastic make it ideal for disposable manufacturing. However, environmental concerns and regulatory scrutiny are compelling companies to explore alternatives like bioplastics and recyclable polymers.
Non-woven materials are the fastest-growing raw material segment, driven by increasing demand for disposable gowns, masks, surgical drapes, and wound dressings. These materials offer excellent barrier protection, breathability, and cost-efficiency. During the COVID-19 crisis, the non-woven supply chain was stretched to its limits due to skyrocketing demand for PPE. Today, manufacturers like Owens & Minor and 3M are expanding capacity and innovating new fabric blends to meet the dual goals of safety and sustainability.
U.S. Medical Disposables Market By End-use Insights
Hospitals remain the dominant end-user, accounting for the bulk of disposable consumption in the U.S. market. From high-volume procedural items like gloves and gowns to specialized surgical disposables, hospitals are the central hubs for clinical care. The centralized procurement model and rising surgical volumes ensure consistent demand for a broad array of disposables. Strategic vendor partnerships, inventory management systems, and GPO (Group Purchasing Organization) contracts further cement hospitals' position as key revenue contributors for disposable suppliers.
Home healthcare is the fastest-growing end-use segment, propelled by patient-centered care models, the aging population, and CMS incentives for post-acute home recovery. Disposables tailored for home use such as catheter kits, blood pressure sleeves, and wound dressing products are gaining market share. Patients with chronic diseases like diabetes, COPD, or heart failure rely on disposable supplies for daily monitoring and medication administration. Startups and established firms are investing in packaging and education tools to make disposables safer and more user-friendly for non-professionals.
U.S. Medical Disposables Market By Product Insights
Disposable gloves dominated the U.S. medical disposables market, owing to their widespread use in all clinical environments, including surgery, diagnostics, and routine care. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly amplified glove usage across hospitals, outpatient facilities, and even non-medical sectors. Nitrile gloves are particularly favored for their puncture resistance and hypoallergenic properties. Key suppliers like Cardinal Health and Medline Industries have invested in scaling up domestic production to mitigate supply chain disruptions and reduce dependency on imports. Gloves remain the first line of defense in infection prevention, and demand is expected to stay elevated due to heightened hygiene awareness.
Diagnostic and laboratory disposables are the fastest-growing segment, driven by the rise of decentralized testing and increased clinical diagnostic procedures. Products like specimen containers, blood collection tubes, pipette tips, and rapid antigen test kits have seen explosive growth. The demand for at-home diagnostic kits for infectious diseases, chronic condition monitoring, and fertility testing has created a parallel retail channel. Companies such as BD (Becton Dickinson) and Thermo Fisher Scientific are expanding their disposable diagnostic portfolios to cater to point-of-care and lab-based testing. This segment is likely to continue its strong upward trajectory as precision diagnostics becomes a mainstay in healthcare delivery.
Country-Level Analysis
The United States remains the most advanced and mature medical disposables market globally, underpinned by its massive healthcare expenditure, extensive hospital infrastructure, and strong regulatory oversight. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), U.S. healthcare spending surpassed $4.5 trillion in 2023, with a significant share allocated to medical supplies, including disposables. Government agencies such as the FDA and OSHA play a crucial role in setting standards for disposable products, ensuring safety, efficacy, and sterility.
The U.S. market is characterized by a diversified supply chain, high per capita healthcare utilization, and a strong network of distributors and wholesalers like McKesson, Henry Schein, and Medline. Moreover, the country is home to several large manufacturers with global footprints and advanced R&D capabilities. In recent years, the federal government has encouraged domestic manufacturing of essential medical supplies, particularly PPE, to reduce reliance on overseas suppliers. With growing focus on pandemic preparedness, aging demographics, and public health safety, the U.S. market offers long-term stability and innovation-driven growth.
U.S. Medical Disposables Market By Recent Developments
March 2024 – Cardinal Health announced an expansion of its medical product portfolio, including new lines of non-woven surgical drapes and latex-free gloves. The move is aimed at addressing growing demand for disposable protective solutions across U.S. healthcare facilities.
February 2024 – Owens & Minor opened a new manufacturing and distribution center in North Carolina, dedicated to producing sterile surgical kits, PPE, and diagnostic disposables.
January 2024 – 3M Health Care introduced a new series of eco-friendly disposable face masks and drapes, incorporating recyclable non-woven materials in compliance with emerging green procurement guidelines from U.S. hospitals.
December 2023 – Baxter International launched a home-use version of its dialysis disposable kit in partnership with CMS pilot programs promoting at-home renal care.
November 2023 – Henry Schein Medical unveiled a new B2B e-commerce platform to streamline the procurement of diagnostic and lab disposables by independent practices and outpatient centers across the U.S.
Some of the prominent players in the U.S. medical disposables market include:
Medline Industries, Inc.
Smith+Nephew
Bayer AG
BD (Becton, Dickinson & Company)
3M
Cardinal Health
Segments Covered in the Report
This report forecasts revenue growth at country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2033. For this study, Nova one advisor, Inc. has segmented the U.S. medical disposables market
Product
Wound Management Products
Drug Delivery Products
Diagnostic and Laboratory Disposables
Dialysis Disposables
Incontinence Products
Respiratory Supplies
Sterilization Supplies
Non-woven Disposables
Disposable Masks
Disposable Eye Gear
Disposable Gloves
Hand Sanitizers
Gel
Foam
Liquid
Other
Others
Raw Material
Plastic Resin
Non-woven Material
Rubber
Paper and Paperboard
Metals
Glass
Cotton
End-use
Hospitals
Home Healthcare
Outpatient/Primary Care Facilities
Others
Research Assistance
Learn how to effectively navigate the market research process to help guide your organization on the journey to success.
Download eBook