Biodegradable Medical Polymers Global Market Report 2025

The biodegradable medical polymers market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $2.38 billion in 2024 to $2.78 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.8%. The growth in the historic period is linked to rising regulatory support for biodegradable materials, growing use of polymers in drug delivery systems, increasing focus on reducing medical waste, rising investment in biodegradable polymer manufacturing, and growing consumer preference for green healthcare solutions.

The biodegradable medical polymers market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.11 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.5%. The growth in the forecast period is expected to result from an increase in demand for eco-friendly medical devices, a rise in collaborations between polymer manufacturers and healthcare companies, an expansion in the production capacity of biodegradable polymers, greater incorporation of natural polymers in medical applications, and a rise in government incentives for sustainable medical materials. Major trends in the forecast period include advancements in biopolymer technology, progress in advanced drug delivery systems, innovation in sustainable medical devices, the integration of natural polymer blends, and improvements in wound care solutions.

The growing demand for minimally invasive procedures is expected to drive the expansion of the biodegradable medical polymers market in the coming years. Minimally invasive procedures are medical techniques that use small incisions or non-invasive methods to perform surgeries, resulting in less tissue damage, faster recovery, and less postoperative pain compared to traditional surgical approaches. The rise in these procedures is largely due to advancements in medical technology, which have led to the wider adoption of precision-driven surgical techniques across the globe. Biodegradable medical polymers play a key role in supporting minimally invasive surgeries by enabling the development of temporary implants, sutures, and drug delivery systems that naturally dissolve within the body. This reduces the need for secondary removal procedures, minimizes tissue trauma, and promotes faster recovery with fewer complications. For example, in February 2023, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, a U.S.-based specialty organization, reported that the total number of cosmetic minimally invasive procedures rose from 23.7 million in 2022 to 25.4 million in 2023. As such, the increasing demand for minimally invasive procedures is fueling the growth of the biodegradable medical polymers market.

Leading companies in the biodegradable medical polymers market are focusing on innovations like biopolymer technology to improve the performance, biocompatibility, and sustainability of medical devices and drug delivery systems. Biopolymer technology involves the use of polymers derived from natural sources that are designed to be biodegradable and environmentally friendly. This technology is used to create sustainable materials for medical, packaging, and industrial applications, reducing dependence on synthetic plastics. For example, in November 2023, Sulzer Ltd., a Switzerland-based public company, launched CAPSUL, an end-to-end licensed technology for the continuous manufacturing of polycaprolactone (PCL), a biodegradable polyester. This technology enables the production of high-quality PCL grades at competitive rates, supporting the use of sustainable materials and improving production efficiency for medical and industrial applications.

In July 2023, Evonik Industries AG, a Germany-based chemicals company, acquired Novachem Corporation for an undisclosed amount. With this acquisition, Evonik aims to strengthen its sustainable cosmetic active ingredients portfolio by integrating Novachem’s innovative, biotechnological, and eco-certified actives. This move also enhances Evonik’s System Solutions offering in the personal care market across the Americas, supporting the company's transition into sustainable specialties. Novachem Corporation, based in Canada, is a manufacturer of biodegradable medical polymers.

Major companies operating in the biodegradable medical polymers market are Evonik Industries AG, Corbion N.V., dsm-firmenich AG, Mitsui Chemicals Inc., Poly Medicure Limited, KLS Martin SE & Co. KG, BASF SE, NatureWorks LLC, Arkema SA, Eastman Chemical Company, Foster LLC, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Toray Industries Inc., Celanese Corporation, Teysa Technologies Ltd, Kaneka Corporation, Arthrex Inc., Ashland Inc., MERIL LIFE SCIENCES INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, REVA Medical LLC

North America was the largest region in the biodegradable medical polymers market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in biodegradable medical polymers report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the biodegradable medical polymers market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sudden escalation of U.S. tariffs and the consequent trade frictions in spring 2025 are severely impacting the pharmaceutical companies contend with tariffs on APIs, glass vials, and lab equipment inputs with few alternative sources. Generic drug makers, operating on razor-thin margins, are especially vulnerable, with some reducing production of low-profit medicines. Biotech firms face delays in clinical trials due to tariff-related shortages of specialized reagents. In response, the industry is expanding API production in India and Europe, increasing inventory stockpiles, and pushing for trade exemptions for essential medicines.

The biodegradable medical polymers market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides biodegradable medical polymers market statistics, including the biodegradable medical polymers industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the biodegradable medical polymers market share, detailed biodegradable medical polymers market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the biodegradable medical polymers industry. This biodegradable medical polymers market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

Biodegradable medical polymers refer to a class of advanced materials that can break down into harmless byproducts within the body or environment after fulfilling their medical function. They help minimize postoperative complications, support natural healing, and remove the need for follow-up removal procedures. Their strong biocompatibility and controlled degradation behavior make them essential components in the progress of modern medical treatments.

The key product types of biodegradable medical polymers are polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polycaprolactone, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and others. Polylactic acid is a biodegradable thermoplastic obtained from renewable sources such as corn starch and sugarcane, and is widely applied in medical and packaging fields. The various material types include ceramic matrix composites (CMC), oxide ceramics, non-oxide ceramics, and advanced porous ceramics. The different product forms include powder, tiles, coatings, fibres, and bulk. These are used in several applications such as drug delivery, implants, sutures, and others.

The biodegradable medical polymers market consists of sales of sutures, drug delivery systems, wound dressings, orthopedic devices, dental implants, tissue engineering scaffolds, and surgical instruments. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

This product will be delivered within 3-5 business days.