Medical Ceramics markets are described as products or key components used in medical and dental applications. Generally, these components are utilized in implantable devices and replacements. They have varied use cases in plastic and cosmetic surgeries as well.
Medical implants are artificial devices that are used to replace damaged or missing biological parts. A wide range of medical implants is also used to enhance the existing biological parts and support daily functions. The sensitive use cases make the medical ceramics market very important and are needed to satisfy the desired quality and safety factors.
Different applications are observed in the field of orthopedics for artificial hips, knee replacement, shoulder replacement, and bone grafts. In the cardiovascular vertical various use cases are found in heart valves, pacemakers, grafts, and stents. A greater share is also witnessed in dental implants. Enamels, dental fillings, and prosthetics constitute the dental implant vertical. The hearing category has a small share in the market and makes use of cochlear implants for improved hearing ability.
Growth Factors in Medical Ceramics Market:
According to the market database, improved research and development activities in this market are expected to accelerate growth. A significant rise is witnessed in terms of knee and hip replacement procedures which is anticipated to change the current business outlook. The related advancements and innovative techniques are expected to maintain the demand for the same and bring down costs. A greater need is observed in heart implants as well.
Governments across the developed and emerging regions have committed larger investments to improve healthcare facilities and quality standards. There is a consistent need to cater to the senior population in different geographical locations as they face greater threats related to joint displacements, bone weakness, dental problems, and heart diseases. According to the market database, a notable rise is also observed in the younger population to undertake plastic and cosmetic surgeries which are expected to support the market growth.
Types of Materials Used in Medical Ceramics Market:
In terms of materials utilized, the market is divided into different parts which include bioinert ceramics, bioactive ceramics, bioabsorbable ceramics, and piezoceramics. Among these, bioinert ceramics have dominated the market. They offer significant advantages such as high fracture toughness, low thermal conductivity, excellent resistance, and high bending and tensile strength.
The Bioinert category is further divided based on core materials. Zirconia, alumina, titanium, pyrolytic carbon, and silicon nitride are the different types included in the bioinert ceramic category. Zirconia commanded a large share in the market.
Bioactive ceramics are another popular type found in the market. These are further divided into two parts which include hydroxyapatite and glass-ceramics. Hydroxyapatite experienced a large share in the market due to various advantages involved such as high biocompatibility, bioactivity, and osteoconductivity.
COVID-19 and Other Restraints:
COVID-19 induced pandemic which triggered wide-scale lockdowns across the globe impacted medical ceramics in various ways. The impacts of the pandemic on the global markets can be understood through Global Market Database. The change in market numbers is updated on the cloud-based market research tool.
A complete suspension of walk-in plastic surgeries and other biological surgeries was observed. Almost negligible patient footfalls were witnessed due to the pandemic scare. This impacted the overall delivery of parts and canceled orders by different hospitals and treatment clinics. Furthermore, procured market database states that supply chain constraints in the manufacturing sector were observed which impacted the operations to produce different parts.
Devices that are constructed using medical ceramics have to undergo time-consuming and expensive clinical trials. Additionally, the key market players have to dedicate large investments to meet the strict quality and safety standards set by different government agencies. Approval processes are usually complicated, restricted, and time-dependent.
Various concerns cited towards the use of medical ceramics in different devices include difficulty to spot the defects and replace them. Generally, medical ceramics have experienced a long lifetime but at the same time, they are difficult to be recycled.
Key Insights Related to the South Korean Market:
The Asian Pacific region has observed strong growth in terms of the medical ceramics market as a greater number of citizens required implantable devices. Other factors included the use cases of surgeries related to the younger population. Global medical ceramics manufacturing companies have constructed different manufacturing and R&D plants in this region.
The South Korean market is regarded as one of the major consumers in the APAC region. Significant growth was observed in the geriatric population for this region. This is expected to propel the demand for joint reconstruction, cardiovascular surgeries, and dental replacement procedures. It is distinguished as the plastic surgery capital of the world. This has presented unique opportunities for local as well as international market players. A large portion of the young population has contributed to plastic surgeries and related applications. Regional competitive mapping of this market can also be determined through Global Market Database.
According to the market database procured for the year 2020, 20% of young Korean girls have undergone cosmetic surgery. This is higher than the average of other related economies. Furthermore, South Korea attracts the global population to provide world-class surgeries related to prosthetics, plastic surgeries, and dental implants.
Local manufacturers are key players that drive the growth in the market. South Korea is also a key exporter of medical ceramics-crafted devices. According to the report published by the Ministry of Food & Drug Safety (MFDS) in the year 2018, its medical device market was ranked 9th largest in the world.
According to the market database, the South Korean medical ceramics market is a key exporter of dental implants, implant superstructures, biomaterial grafts, and prosthetics. The government also prioritized innovative techniques that improved the safety of such devices. The government has invested in the overall development of the healthcare infrastructure which has attracted global manufacturers to set up shops there.
State governments provide incentives or special grants for improved medical devices. The Medical Device Evaluation and Research department are responsible for the assessment of medical devices. They also overlook the research and innovation vertical and provide a holistic environment for improved medical trials.
According to the report by MFDS, 166 operational clinics in South Korea are dedicated to trials related to medical devices. Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) has been made mandatory for medical devices that come in contact or are inserted inside the human body. Furthermore, the regulatory bodies make use of digital platforms to track and assess the medical devices inserted in human bodies.
Such diversified practices have bolstered the trust in the region’s market. Tests and trials are conducted to meet the requirements of Quality Management Systems (QSM). Safety effectiveness coupled with innovative technology solutions has accelerated the growth of the medical ceramics market in this region.
