The Line of Antimicrobial & Disinfectant Chemicals is Expanding
Exploring How – While Keeping Pace with the Current Scenario
Antimicrobial and disinfectant chemicals are the specialty chemical products used to destroy or slow the growth of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, protozoans, fungi etc. These chemicals are essential as they keep houses, offices, schools, and other public areas sanitized, clean and hygienic. Antiseptics, antibiotics, antivirals & antifungals are considered as antimicrobials whereas alcohols, aldehydes and phenolic are referred as disinfectants.
Antimicrobial and disinfectant products are managed by various state government agencies around the globe. Antimicrobial pesticides for household and industrial purposes are strictly regulated by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Therefore, in order to launch an antimicrobial product in the market, it is compulsory to get the product approved by the EPA.
Anti-microbial face masks:-
A company named Noble Biomaterials, brought EPA registered antimicrobial masks to the market during the COVID-19 times.
This specialized mask is odor resistant. It aims to prevent the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses on the surface of the fabric. Unlike normal fabric face masks, antimicrobial face masks help eliminate cross contamination. When one sneeze or cough into an antimicrobial mask, cations present in the fabric is expected to hinder the bacteria or virus to stick on the surface of the mask.
Anti-microbial chemical compounds in food applications:-
The use of antimicrobial chemical compounds, also known as chemical preservatives have become very frequent in food and biomedical applications because the use of chemical preservatives can increase the shelf life of food and food products more than natural antimicrobial preservatives. But using it directly in food can also harm human health to some extent.
This is why, the use of natural antimicrobials is likely to grow more than synthetic preservatives in food applications, whereas antimicrobial chemical compounds are widely used in biomedical applications.
Moreover, now-a-days, to increase the shelf life of meat products, firms use antimicrobial in edible films and coatings in combination with distinct packaging techniques. For example, oregano oil in combination with modified atmosphere packaging, or whey protein isolate based edible films with essential oils is used to increase the shelf life of chicken, mutton and beef.
Also, antimicrobials can be sprinkled upon meat products or meat can be dipped into them. In, addition, antimicrobials chemicals are used in wastewater treatment industries.
Current market scenario and major drivers of the global antimicrobial and disinfectant chemicals market:-
According to a report published by Allied Market Research, the global antimicrobial & disinfectant chemicals market size is anticipated to reach $17.1 billion with a significant CAGR from 2020 to 2027.
Certain factors such as increase in demand for disinfectants in the end use industries, rise in consumer awareness towards infectious diseases caused from various sources including wastewater, healthcare facilities and others are majorly responsible for fueling the global market of antimicrobial and disinfect chemicals.
- Surge in residential construction activities led to increase the production of antimicrobial holding products like floor coverings, water-based architectural paints, home textiles and others.
- Today’s generation spend a lot of money at restaurants and hotels. Kitchen counters contain several germs that can make people sick. Cleaning utensils and dining area without antibacterial or antimicrobial ingredients will definitely wash and clean the surface, but may not kill the harmful germs and bacteria on it. This in turn, drive the demand for disinfectants to a great extent.
- Patients need proper medical care with complete hygiene facilities, thereby, need more disinfectants for health care settings.
- Antimicrobial products are also used in several industrial processes, food processing system, water treatment facilities, and others.
- Sales of specialty disinfectant cleaners and value added consumer products with antimicrobial properties are increasing day-by-day, thus, driving the growth of the market in more than one way.
Furthermore, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic led to witness double digit growth to antimicrobial and disinfectant chemicals market, owing to surge in demand for antimicrobial and disinfectant chemicals for maintaining personal hygiene and sanitization in the sectors like healthcare, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods.
At the same time, ethyl and isopropyl alcohol has become the most common and widely used disinfectants within hospitals, pharmaceutical sector, manufacturing units and other.
In order to meet the growing demand for antimicrobial and disinfectant chemicals, global companies are setting up new facilities.
Likewise, Exxon Mobil Corporation, an American multinational company, has created a manufacturing hub for the production of medical grade hand sanitizer that contains antimicrobial and disinfectant properties. The company aims to produce more than 150,000 gallons of hand sanitizer initially.
Currently, Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing region, with the highest market share of the global antimicrobial and disinfectant chemicals market. This is due to availability of manufacturing facilities and surge in demand for antimicrobial & disinfectant chemicals, especially in highly populated countries like China and India.
Additionally, in the post-COVID era, working at offices may not be as same as pre-COVID times and the hygienic practices are likely to be implemented.
Here, it is worth mentioning that antimicrobial and disinfectant chemicals market is going to have a bright future with huge prospects and exponential growth.
