Plastics support reliable healthcare applications

Out of ten medical products and devices used in hospitals, medical practices or everyday care, five to six are made of plastic. Syringes, needles, tubing, implants and packaging are among the applications in which plastics support hygiene, innovation and efficiency in medicine. According to the German Medical Technology Association, BVMed, this material group is deeply embedded in the healthcare sector. "Approximately 50 to 60 percent of all medical devices are made of plastics," the association concludes. The relevance of plastics in medical technology is linked not only to their broad application range, but also to the ability to define material properties for demanding clinical and manufacturing requirements, including biocompatibility, sterilizability, dimensional precision and consistent quality.

Medical plastics with growing market potential

"The importance of plastics in medicine has steadily increased over recent decades. They are used in a wide range of applications, including disposable products, implants, packaging, and medical devices," says Manfred C. Beeres, spokesperson for BVMed.

The significance of the material is also indicated by data from market research firm Grand View Research, an analyst of industrial and consumer goods markets. According to its study, the global market for medical plastics is expected to grow to USD 87.58 billion by 2030, equivalent to nearly a quarter of Apple’s annual revenue in fiscal year 2025.

Certified quality for medical-grade plastics

Plastics used in healthcare must meet high standards and are commonly referred to as medical-grade plastics.

"Medical-grade plastics are materials specifically selected and qualified for medical devices and medical applications. They meet defined requirements regarding biocompatibility, formulation consistency, sterilizability, and quality," explains Sarah Janczura, spokesperson for the Association of German Engineers, VDI. "These properties are essential for safe and reliable performance in medical environments."

VDI Guideline 2017 on medical-grade plastics establishes binding criteria and provides a reliable foundation for safe application.

Functionalized plastics and material performance

Building on this foundation, material properties are continuously being enhanced. "Functionalized plastics transform a standard material into a component with added value: they can be sterilizable, flexible, and high-strength; chemically resistant; biocompatible; or specifically optimized for low friction," explains Benjamin Redlingshöfer, Director of the Thuringian Institute for Textile and Plastics Research, TITK. He adds: "This enables medical devices to be manufactured more safely, smaller, lighter, and often more cost-efficiently."

Functionalized plastics also increase safety. "Antibacterial, antiviral, or antifungal properties reduce the microbial load on surfaces and lower the risk of biofilm formation and subsequent infections, particularly during prolonged use or frequent contact," Redlingshöfer notes.

Tailor-made solutions in medical technology

Plastics are also suitable for producing individualized prostheses, heart valves and joint components. Modern manufacturing processes such as injection molding enable highly precise applications tailored to specific therapeutic needs.

"New developments, such as 3D printing, allow for patient-specific implants and components that can be manufactured with exact precision," says BVMed spokesperson Beeres. Plastic solutions therefore make a significant contribution to personalized medicine.

Efficiency and sustainable concepts

Plastics are also "significantly lighter than metal or glass, making them easier to handle. In mass production, unit costs decrease. Processing metal and glass can be more expensive," confirms Sarah Janczura from the VDI.

Durable designs and high recyclability further promote responsible and sustainable use of resources. Plastics combine safety, innovation and efficiency, which makes them fundamental to high-performance medical technology.