Pharmaceutical Rubber Articles Market

The global market for hygienic and pharmaceutical articles of rubber is forecasted to exhibit growth over the period from 2022 to 2030, with a steady increase in consumption driven by rising demand. The market is expected to see a CAGR of +2.6% in volume and +5.4% in value by the end of 2030, reaching 2.8B units and $14.5B in nominal prices, respectively. China leads in both consumption and production of pharmaceutical rubber articles, while the United States and India follow closely behind. Import and export trends show notable growth, with China being the key exporting country. Pricing trends indicate fluctuations in average prices among major importing and exporting countries. Overall, the global market for pharmaceutical rubber articles is poised for continued growth and development.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for hygienic or pharmaceutical articles of rubber worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 2.8B units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $14.5B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Hygienic Or Pharmaceutical Articles Of Rubber

In 2022, the amount of hygienic or pharmaceutical articles of rubber consumed worldwide amounted to 2.3B units, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 2.5B units. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the global consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global pharmaceutical rubber articles market value amounted to $9.5B in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $10.1B. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the global market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of pharmaceutical rubber articles consumption was China (537M units), comprising approx. 23% of total volume. Moreover, pharmaceutical rubber articles consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (264M units), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by India (232M units), with a 10% share.

In China, pharmaceutical rubber articles consumption increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: the United States (+4.8% per year) and India (+1.0% per year).

In value terms, Japan ($2.9B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($1.3B). It was followed by India.

In Japan, the pharmaceutical rubber articles market expanded at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+4.6% per year) and India (+4.3% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of pharmaceutical rubber articles per capita consumption was registered in Belgium (6 units per person), followed by Saudi Arabia (1.2 units per person), Japan (1.1 units per person) and France (0.8 units per person), while the world average per capita consumption of pharmaceutical rubber articles was estimated at 0.3 units per person.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the pharmaceutical rubber articles per capita consumption in Belgium totaled +15.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Saudi Arabia (+7.1% per year) and Japan (+1.1% per year).

Production

World Production of Hygienic Or Pharmaceutical Articles Of Rubber

Global pharmaceutical rubber articles production reached 2.3B units in 2022, leveling off at 2021. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 8%. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum volume at 2.3B units in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

In value terms, pharmaceutical rubber articles production reached $9.4B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the production volume increased by 15%. Global production peaked at $9.7B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

China (644M units) remains the largest pharmaceutical rubber articles producing country worldwide, accounting for 28% of total volume. Moreover, pharmaceutical rubber articles production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (275M units), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by India (228M units), with a 9.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China stood at +2.7%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+4.3% per year) and India (+1.0% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Hygienic Or Pharmaceutical Articles Of Rubber

In 2022, the amount of hygienic or pharmaceutical articles of rubber imported worldwide skyrocketed to 243M units, jumping by 19% against the year before. In general, imports showed a slight expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 124% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 398M units. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of global imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, pharmaceutical rubber articles imports expanded markedly to $686M in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 92%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $1B. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of global imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the UK (24M units), followed by Qatar (15M units), Austria (14M units) and the United States (12M units) represented the main importers of hygienic or pharmaceutical articles of rubber, together generating 27% of total imports. The following importers - Germany (11M units), Italy (9.7M units), the Netherlands (9.5M units), the United Arab Emirates (9.4M units), Hungary (8M units), Indonesia (7.9M units), India (6.7M units), France (6.6M units) and South Africa (5.8M units) - together made up 31% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +16.2%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($59M), the UK ($52M) and Austria ($45M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 23% of global imports. Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Hungary, Italy, France, India, the United States, Indonesia, South Africa and Qatar lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 33%.

Qatar, with a CAGR of +20.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average pharmaceutical rubber articles import price amounted to $2.8 per unit, dropping by -9.3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 21% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $3.4 per unit in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($6.2 per unit), while Qatar ($0.3 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Qatar (+4.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Hygienic Or Pharmaceutical Articles Of Rubber

In 2022, global exports of hygienic or pharmaceutical articles of rubber surged to 241M units, rising by 20% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, pharmaceutical rubber articles exports stood at $621M in 2022. Overall, exports, however, showed a noticeable slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 16%. The global exports peaked at $759M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports By Country

China was the key exporting country with an export of about 107M units, which amounted to 45% of total exports. It was distantly followed by France (26M units), the United States (23M units), Malaysia (13M units) and the United Arab Emirates (12M units), together creating a 31% share of total exports. The following exporters - Mexico (5.5M units), Belgium (5M units), Germany (5M units) and the Netherlands (4.4M units) - each finished at an 8.3% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to pharmaceutical rubber articles exports from China stood at +21.2%. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (+34.2%), Mexico (+15.1%), the Netherlands (+4.2%), Malaysia (+3.3%), France (+2.2%) and the United States (+1.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the United Arab Emirates emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +34.2% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Germany (-8.2%) and Belgium (-22.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. China (+38 p.p.), the United Arab Emirates (+4.5 p.p.), France (+1.8 p.p.) and Mexico (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while Germany and Belgium saw its share reduced by -3% and -26.4% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest pharmaceutical rubber articles supplying countries worldwide were France ($166M), China ($117M) and the United Arab Emirates ($36M), together accounting for 52% of global exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, the United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +51.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average pharmaceutical rubber articles export price amounted to $2.6 per unit, reducing by -12.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a perceptible reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the average export price increased by 7.3%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $3.5 per unit. From 2014 to 2022, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($6.3 per unit), while China ($1.1 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+12.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform