Surgical Drapes Market

Global Surgical Drapes Market Size

The global surgical drapes market was valued at USD 1.49 billion in 2024. The global market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.12% from 2025 to 2033 and be worth USD 2.14 billion by 2033 from USD 1.55 billion in 2025.

MARKET DRIVERS

Across the world, a huge number of COVID-19 cases were reported in 2021, accelerating the demand for surgical drapes. Infectious microorganism transfer through aerosol formation in endonasal and transoral surgeries are increased due to this pandemic. In addition, many countries are following social distances to reduce the spread of the virus. Clear plastic drapes reduce aerosolization and droplet spray during extubating, and companies in the surgical drapes market are expanding their production capacities. This is important because frequent contact with viral particles during upper airway surgical manipulation increases the risk of transmission of viral particles to medical staff. Considering all these factors, the market has grown during the pandemic.

Y-O-Y growth in the geriatric population is anticipated to boost the development of the surgical drapes market.

The demand for surgical drapes is increasing due to the increasing geriatric population. Geriatric people are highly prone to chronic diseases and undergo different surgeries. In addition, the increase in the number of people over 65 is expected to benefit the surgical drapes market shortly. In 2017, people aged 60 years or above represented nearly 19% of the total population in the United States, and the percentage is expected to increase to 22% by 2030 as per the U.S. Census Board.

Y-O-Y growth in the number of surgeries happening worldwide is anticipated to fuel the growth rate of the surgical drapes market.

The increase in the number of surgeries, such as plastic and reconstructive surgeries, is another factor fuelling the demand for the surgical drapes market. As per a report by the International Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeons (ISAPS), over 1.8 million cosmetic surgeries were performed across the globe in 2019. In addition, over 28,079 buttock augmentation and 299,715 breast augmentation surgeries were performed in the U.S. alone in 2019, as per the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Y-O-Y growth in the incidence of hospital-acquired infections is also expected to promote the growth rate of the surgical drapes market.

Increased incidences of hospital-acquired infections are one of the important factors that drive market growth. Increasing incidences of hospital-acquired infections, rising hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), increasing incidence of nosocomial infections, healthcare-associated infection (HCAI), and growing preparatory stages of surgery into focus are the significant factors, among others, driving the surgical drapes market. According to Centres for Disease Control report, HAIs account for around 1.8 million infections and 99,900 related deaths annually in American hospitals.

In addition, an increase in the number of injury cases, an increase in surgical operations with associated risks such as orthopedic surgeries without a tourniquet, open cardiovascular or thoracic procedures, trauma treatments, and cesarean sections, the growing demand for the protection of patients and healthcare staff are projected to be favoring the surgical drapes market. Furthermore, growing emerging economies, increasing modernization and technological advancement in the healthcare sector, and increasing research and development0 activities in the healthcare sector are the factors that provide new opportunities for the surgical drapes market. One of the advanced inventions in the surgical drapes market is disposable robotic surgical drapes. These drapes are designed mainly for patient safety and are important in minimally invasive robotic and computer-assisted surgeries. In addition, manufacturers in the surgical drapes market are investing in research and developing sterile and robotic-friendly clear leggings.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

Using reusable drapes may lead to issues, and increasingly stringent government regulations regarding the material used in these drapes are the major factors restraining the market growth. In addition, the increasing price of surgical drapes and lack of awareness about surgical drapes are the factors that challenge the development of the surgical drapes market.

REPORT COVERAGE

SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS

By Type Insights

The disposable segment has the fastest growth due to the spread of the coronavirus, the use of disposable drapes, and the growing awareness of disposable surgical drapes. These are made from non-woven material and are destroyed after each operation. As a result, it has less weight, less cost, simple recycling procedures, and lower manufacturing costs. Welmed is a manufacturer of disposable surgical drapes available in various materials to fulfill clinical needs, including polyethylene (PE), Tri-Lam Heavy Duty, Protect5, and Clear View.

By Risk Type Insights

Based on the risk type, the surgical drapes with a high (AAMI Level 4) accounted for a significant share of the global surgical drapes market in 2022. These drapes are used as a barrier against large amounts of fluids. It helps to protect against non-airborne diseases and viral penetration during surgical and fluid-intensive procedures. Increasing surgical procedures such as orthopedic procedures without a tourniquet, open cardiovascular or thoracic procedures, trauma procedures, and cesarean sections are driving the demand for these drapes.

By End-User Insights

Based on the end-user, the hospital segment accounted for the leading share of the surgical drapes market in 2022, owing to factors such as the growing number of hospitals, rising hospital admissions, and the presence of highly skilled healthcare professionals, many minimally invasive surgical procedures that are performed in hospitals will boost the segmental growth. In addition, increasing government investments and the growing construction of hospitals are the factors that drive the segment forward.  According to the American Hospital Association, the number of U.S. Community hospitals was 6,099. Thus, the growing number of hospitals will further drive market growth in the coming years.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

The North American region is projected to have the highest share in the global surgical drapes market in 2022, owing to well-developed infrastructure, rising healthcare expenditure, growing surgical procedures, and an increasing number of surgical site infections. In the U.S., around 27 million surgical procedures are performed annually, according to the Journal of Infectious Disease Advisor. According to data that the Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies (PRL-IHPS) recently published, almost 4 million ICU admissions per year in the United States. Most patients admitted to intensive care units in the United States receive one type of major surgery, which raises the need for surgical drapes driving the market's expansion.

Europe is expected to hold the second-largest share of the global market during the forecast period due to growth in surgical procedures and an increase in injury cases. In the European Union (EU), a Cesarean section is a highly common procedure. This procedure is performed 1.8 million times in Europe yearly. Globally, 21% of babies are born via C-section, and around 32.7 of babies in Australia are delivered via C-section. 

Asia Pacific region is expected to have the highest CAGR due to the rising number of surgeries, the growing population, the rapidly growing medical tourism industry, technological advancements in the healthcare market, and increased research and development activities.

TOP COMPANIES IN THIS MARKET

3M, Cardinal Health, Mölnlycke Health Care, Steris, Paul Hartmann AG, Standard Textile Co., Medline Industries, Inc., and companies playing a key role in the global surgical drapes market and Priontex.

RECENT HAPPENINGS IN THIS MARKET

• In 2019, TrustShield TM, Ahlstrom-single-use Munksjo's medical fabrics for the best possible protection used in the operating room, clinical setting, and laboratory.
• In 2021, Windsor-based Harbour Technologies expanded operations in Chatham-Kent. As a result, Chatham is the center of domestic PPE production, essential for re-establishing Canada's pandemic response capabilities.

MARKET SEGMENTATION

This research report on the global surgical drapes market has been segmented and sub-segmented into the following categories.

By Type

• Reusable
• Disposable

By Risk Type

• Minimal (AAMI Level 1)
• Low (AAMI Level 2)
• Moderate (AAMI Level 3)
• High (AAMI Level 4)

By End-User

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Healthcare Institutes & Organizations
• Home Care Settings

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• The Middle East and Africa