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Market Overview

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The global endoscope reprocessing market achieved a valuation of USD 2.02 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 3.3 billion by 2027, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.37% during the period from 2022 to 2027. Throughout the forecast period, the market is expected to experience incremental growth exceeding USD 1.2 billion, with an absolute growth rate of 62%. The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is anticipated to witness the highest growth rate, with a CAGR of 9.60%. This growth can be attributed to factors such as the increasing availability of endoscope reprocessing systems, the presence of cost-effective labor, low manufacturing costs, and significant technological advancements in the healthcare sector.

Endoscope reprocessing refers to a multi-step process involving the thorough cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of endoscopy devices and their associated accessories. The demand for reprocessing equipment primarily stems from the high risk of infections associated with inadequate sterilization of endoscopes. The market for endoscope reprocessing is expected to thrive due to the growing emphasis on stringent cleaning standards and the mounting pressure to ensure sterilized and disinfected medical devices in hospitals and clinics.

The global endoscope reprocessing market is mainly driven by the extensive utilization of endoscopic devices for diagnostic and treatment purposes. This is primarily due to the rising prevalence of digestive and respiratory tract disorders that necessitate endoscopy procedures. The frequent use of these endoscopic instruments leads to an increased risk of infections, thereby necessitating disinfection and cleaning through reprocessing systems. The demand for these systems is expected to grow in healthcare centers. However, factors such as the high cost of endoscopy, improper or inadequate reprocessing leading to infections, and the increasing prominence of single-use bio-processors may hinder market growth.

Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy plays a critical role in the identification and treatment of disorders affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Given the millions of endoscopy procedures performed in the United States alone, gastrointestinal endoscopes can become heavily contaminated through frequent use on patients. Therefore, the cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization processes are crucial for preventing infections resulting from endoscope contamination. As a result, the demand for endoscope reprocessing has become increasingly important.

The number of patients suffering from gastrointestinal diseases is rising worldwide. These diseases are not only costly but also highly debilitating, leading to approximately 3 million hospital admissions in the United States alone. The growing prevalence of these diseases necessitates an increase in endoscopic procedures across various healthcare centers. In the United States, an estimated 17 million lower GI endoscopies and a similar number of upper endoscopies are performed annually. This heightened usage carries the risk of infections associated with the formation of biofilms due to the instruments’ frequent use. The infection rate currently stands at approximately 1 in 10 million procedures. With the escalating risk of such infections, the demand for endoscope reprocessing systems is expected to rise.

Proper endoscope reprocessing is of utmost importance for ensuring patient safety. This requires comprehensive tracking and documentation to ensure that every step of the process is completed accurately. By eliminating manual documentation logs and ensuring the disinfection and cleaning of endoscopes prior to use, advanced tracking solutions offer significant benefits, including improved handling of complex endoscopes, integration with multiple systems, workflow quality assurance, and enhanced return on investment.

Numerous manufacturers are placing significant emphasis on automating disinfection workflows. This focus has shaped their production advancements and innovation strategies in recent years. For example, Olympus invested approximately $0.4 billion in 2018 to enhance their systems for conducting tests to assess the effectiveness of cleaning and disinfection. Cleaning has traditionally been challenging due to the inability to inspect the cleanliness inside endoscope lumens. However, recent technological advancements have enabled the development of flexible inspection camera systems capable of examining the internal channels of instruments for debris and damage, which could ultimately help reduce infection rates.

The high cost associated with endoscopy limits the number of procedures performed on patients. Medical procedures like endoscopies can be financially burdensome, particularly for individuals without insurance coverage. In the United States, the cost of a colonoscopy typically ranges from $1,250 to over $4,800, while the national average price for an endoscopy is $2,750. Additionally, equipment costs range from $114.07 to $280.71. The average reported repair cost, resulting from issues such as leak test failures, damage during visual inspections, or failed cleaning verification tests, is estimated to be $5,833. Such exorbitant prices can hinder the adoption of reprocessing equipment.

Gastrointestinal complaints were prevalent among COVID-19 patients, with potential symptoms including diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. A multicenter survey conducted in March 2020 revealed that endoscopy units experienced near-universal exposure to COVID-19-positive patients, with 97.6% reporting a reduction in endoscopic activities and 50% performing endoscopic procedures on COVID-19-positive patients. Consequently, there was a moderate need for performing endoscopy procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic, further driving the demand for endoscope reprocessing systems due to the heightened risk of disease transmission among patients and healthcare providers.

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Market Segmentation

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The market is segmented based on various factors, including product, end user, and geography.

Segmentation by Product
Reprocessing Equipment
Disinfectants
Detergents
Drying, Storage & Transport Systems
Others

Segmentation by End-User
Hospitals
Specialty Clinics & Medical Office Suites
Standalone Reprocessing Service Facilities
Others:

Segmentation by Geography
North America – US, Canada
Europe – Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain
APAC – China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia
Latin America – Brazil, Mexico, Argentina
Middle East & Africa – South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE

Disinfectants emerged as the dominant segment in the global endoscope reprocessing market in 2021. This can be attributed to the increasing need for effective disinfection of endoscopes. The market is further classified based on equipment into automated endoscope reprocessors and disinfection & sterilization equipment. Among these, automated reprocessors held the largest market share due to the growing preference for automatic reprocessing systems, which offer advanced features and improved reprocessing capabilities.

The end-user market comprises hospitals, specialty clinics & medical office suites, standalone service facilities, and others. In 2021, hospitals accounted for the highest share in the global endoscopy device cleaning market. This can be attributed to the higher number of endoscopic procedures performed in hospitals compared to other healthcare settings. However, standalone reprocessing service facilities are expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period.

North America dominated the global endoscope reprocessing market in 2021. Several factors contributed to the significant market share of this region, including a surge in the number of endoscopic procedures, the high demand for sterilization and disinfection of endoscopic devices, the increasing prevalence of digestive disorders, the implementation of guidelines promoting safe procedures, and technological advancements in reprocessing systems and accessories.

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Competitive Landscape

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The global market is characterized by intense competition, with international, regional, and local players offering a wide array of products and accessories. Prominent vendors in the industry, such as STERIS, Ecolab, Getinge AB, Olympus, and ASP (acquired by Fortive), are employing various strategies like partnerships, collaborations, joint ventures, mergers, and acquisitions to drive their growth and establish a strong presence.

As an example, STERIS recently announced its agreement to acquire Cantel Medical, a global provider of infection prevention products and services primarily catering to endoscopy and dental customers. This strategic move further strengthens STERIS’ position in the market.

Ecolab has introduced vanBaerle, a comprehensive range of cleaning, disinfectant, and hygiene solutions, which is expected to contribute significantly to the company’s expansion in the cleaning and disinfectant product segment.

Moreover, the introduction of new products by these key vendors is propelling the advancement of the global endoscope reprocessing market. For instance, in 2020, Olympus launched the OER-Elite, a next-generation automated endoscope reprocessing system, which showcases their commitment to innovation and meeting customer needs.

Key companies profiled in this report include STERIS, Ecolab, Getinge AB, Olympus, Fortive, 3M, ATMS, Metall Zug, BES Healthcare, CONMED, Hoya, CREO Medical, Medalkan, Medical Devices, Metrex Research, PurposeBuilt, Richard Wolf, Summit Imaging, NanoSonics, Pentax medical, Mitra Group, CENSIS, Sympliant, Acuro Organics, Becto, Brulin, Cardinal Health, Cetylite, Contec, Hygiene-Konzepte, Lonza, Hako Group, Pharmax, The Clorox.

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Key Questions Answered

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What is the projected size of the global Endoscope Reprocessing Market?

The global endoscope reprocessing market is expected to reach a market size of USD 3.3 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 8.37% from USD 2.02 billion in 2021.

What are the key drivers for the growth of the Endoscope Reprocessing Market?

The growth of the endoscope reprocessing market is primarily driven by the increasing risk of developing endoscopy-related infections and the rising investments by hospitals in endoscopes and reprocessing systems.

Which region is expected to experience significant growth in the endoscope reprocessing market?

The Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to witness the highest growth during the forecast period. However, North America will generate the maximum revenue in the endoscope reprocessing market.

Which product is predicted to hold the largest market share in the endoscope reprocessing market?

Disinfectants accounted for the largest share in the global endoscope reprocessing market in 2021.