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Market Overview

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The global market for refurbished medical equipment is experiencing robust growth, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.76%. It is projected to reach a value of USD 29.68 billion by 2027, up from USD 15.23 billion in 2021. The growth of this market can be attributed to the increasing number of healthcare settings and improved access to healthcare services worldwide. Additionally, the prevalence of various acute and chronic diseases across the globe is driving the demand for refurbished medical equipment.

Refurbishment is a systematic process that aims to make used equipment equal to or better than new. It involves rebuilding or updating equipment with new materials, components, or parts to restore its original or enhanced working condition and appearance. The global refurbished medical equipment market witnessed significant growth before the pandemic. However, outbreaks of diseases such as bird flu, COVID-19, and Monkeypox have created a massive demand for used medical equipment.

Small and medium-sized hospitals, often owned by doctors and with fewer than 100 beds, often cannot afford to purchase new high-end equipment. These facilities prefer refurbished equipment from reputable brands, which is more cost-effective and performs well for several years without issues. Young doctors who start their own practices after using such devices in large hospitals may also opt for refurbished equipment. They are familiar with the equipment models but have budget constraints in the early stages of their business. Additionally, tier 3 cities may have a substantial patient population but limited financial capability. These locations cannot achieve a sufficient return on investment (ROI) for new equipment. As a result, approximately one-third of the medical equipment industry in developing countries is part of the refurbished medical equipment market.

Apart from important environmental benefits, refurbishing medical equipment provides sustainable economic advantages by generating business opportunities and employment in the refurbished medical equipment market. Even existing equipment owners may consider refurbishing their machines instead of disposing of them and purchasing new ones, especially if the users are comfortable with the specific model. Refurbished assets can be capitalized on a depreciation schedule at half the value of new equipment. Refurbishment typically costs about half as much as buying new equipment and can restore a machine to a like-new condition. In addition to initial cost savings, refurbishment increases resale value and can offer tax benefits to businesses, depending on their structure.

In addition to cost savings, user comfort with familiar machines is another advantage of the global refurbished medical equipment market. It eliminates the frustrations associated with using worn-down equipment and avoids the learning curve associated with new devices. Users often develop an attachment to their trusted old machines and appreciate seeing them restored to better condition. Furthermore, refurbishment sometimes enables upgrades to the latest available technology.

The lack of access to medical equipment in developing countries has attracted global interest in the refurbished medical equipment market for disease diagnosis. Healthcare systems in low- and middle-income countries often have limited access to medical equipment that is routinely used elsewhere. Introducing medical equipment refurbishment in a developing country can create employment opportunities, enhance people’s knowledge of medical technology, and provide a sustainable supply of skilled personnel for the healthcare industry.

Medical equipment is typically complex, expensive to purchase and operate, and requires significant maintenance. Smaller clinics and local medical centers might hesitate to invest significant resources in purchasing new equipment, as it can deplete their entire annual budget for just a few devices. By opting for refurbished medical equipment, healthcare providers can optimize their budget while still offering quality treatment options to patients. Investing in refurbished equipment allows hospitals and clinics to allocate funds for other critical needs, such as staff, disposables, and medicines, thereby contributing to the growth of the refurbished medical equipment market.

Furthermore, refurbished medical equipment offers notable environmental benefits. By extending the useful life of medical equipment from 5-7 to 10-14 years or more, refurbishment promotes reuse and waste prevention, contributing to environmental conservation. Refurbishment saves energy and utilizes materials in the production of new equipment. Maximizing the return on the initial investment of energy and materials, refurbishing medical equipment and extending its service life conserves resources. Around 90% of the material from a system undergoing refurbishment can be reused, with only 10% needing to be recycled using environmentally friendly processes.

The process of preparing a hospital’s capital budget can be challenging as it often involves conflicting priorities among executives. Refurbished medical equipment options can provide valuable assistance in two crucial aspects of this process. Firstly, considering refurbished equipment during the development of capital budgets allows for pricing options that can help stretch the budget while enabling significant upgrades. Secondly, refurbished equipment can fill the gap in the capital budget by offering low-cost alternatives.

In the UK, hospitals are struggling to afford advanced scanners and surgical equipment for the treatment of cancer and other diseases due to significant cuts to the NHS’s capital budget. In such cases, the refurbished medical equipment market becomes an ideal choice for hospitals to acquire affordable equipment meeting their requirements.

Diagnostic players are entering into outsourcing contracts with hospitals, where they handle the entire diagnostic operations on behalf of the hospitals. Newly established small hospitals, diagnostic centers, and clinics face financial burdens and cannot invest in new equipment. Certain types of medical equipment may consume their entire annual budget. Purchasing refurbished medical equipment provides a viable solution and contributes to the growth of the refurbished medical equipment market. Refurbished medical equipment is upgraded to meet current standards, ensuring access to up-to-date equipment at a reasonable price.

Medical equipment inventory is considered an essential cost for manufacturers and often represents the most significant expense category. Since medical equipment is typically high-value, any efficiencies or cost reductions quickly impact the bottom line. As older equipment eventually needs replacement or refurbishment, many facilities are expected to eagerly replace their outdated systems, especially with the resolution of global supply chain issues. These factors contribute to the increasing sales of medical devices, which in turn creates a substantial inventory of used medical equipment in the refurbished medical equipment market.

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Market Segmentation

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The market is segmented based on various factors, including product, application, end-users, and geography.

Segmentation by Product Type
Medical Imaging Equipment
IVD & Laboratories Equipment
OR (Operating Room), Surgical and Therapeutic Equipment
Patient Monitoring Equipment
Cardiology Equipment
Dental Equipment
Others

Segmentation Application
Diagnosis & Monitoring
Treatment & Surgical Interventions

Segmentation by End-users
Hospitals
Radiology/Medical Imaging Centers
Clinics, Physician offices & Dental Clinics
Clinical & Research Laboratories
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

The global market for refurbished medical equipment is segmented by product type into medical imaging, IVD & laboratories, operating room (OR), surgical & therapeutic, patient monitoring, cardiology, dental, and others. In 2021, the medical imaging segment held the largest market share at 25.58%. Medical diagnostic imaging equipment plays a crucial role in resolving diagnostic problems, with the potential to address 70-80% of such issues. However, almost two-thirds of the world’s population lacks access to diagnostic radiology. Refurbished X-ray machines, ultrasound systems, MRI machines, CT scanners, and nuclear medicine systems (PET, SPECT, and PET/CT) enable healthcare facilities to offer life-saving diagnostic imaging services to patients.

The IVD & laboratories equipment segment is expected to witness the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.14%. Additionally, the medical imaging equipment segment will contribute the highest incremental growth of USD 3.10 billion during the forecast period.

In terms of application, the diagnosis & monitoring and treatment & surgical interventions segments are key in the global refurbished medical equipment market. In 2021, the diagnosis & monitoring segment dominated the market with a share of 69.46%, followed by treatment & surgical interventions. Medical equipment is extensively used for diagnosing and treating patients. Diagnostic and monitoring applications encompass cardiology, urology, neurology, orthopedics, physiology, emergency medicine, oncology, obstetrics/gynecology (OB/GYN), and others.

The research predicts that the treatment & surgical interventions segment will witness the highest CAGR of 12.40%. Furthermore, the diagnosis & monitoring segment will contribute the highest incremental growth of USD 9.73 billion during the forecast period.

By end-user, the global refurbished medical equipment market is segmented into hospitals, radiology/medical imaging centers, physicians’ offices & dental clinics, clinical & research laboratories, and others. In 2021, the hospital segment accounted for 37.97% of the market, dominating the industry. The research predicts that the clinical & research laboratories segment will witness the highest CAGR of 12.18%.

The hospital segment will contribute the highest incremental growth of USD 5.24 billion during the forecast period. Hospitals utilize a greater volume of medical equipment compared to other healthcare settings. Diagnostics play a crucial role in hospitals, being the first point of contact for infection and disease screening. The increasing prevalence of infectious diseases motivates physicians in hospitals to rely on diagnostic imaging equipment, thereby driving their demand.

The refurbished medical equipment market holds significant potential due to lower production and material costs, its contribution to containing hospital costs, and high growth potential. North America and Europe are mature markets for refurbished medical equipment. In 2021, North America held the largest share of the global market at 28.24%, followed by Europe, APAC, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. The research predicts that the APAC segment will witness the highest CAGR of 14.45% and the highest incremental growth of USD 4.84 billion during the forecast period. Factors contributing to market growth in the region include consistent public and private funding, advancements in diagnostic imaging models, and increasing medical awareness.

The North American refurbished medical equipment market was valued at USD 4.30 billion in 2021. The region dominates the global market due to factors such as an aging population, a high prevalence of chronic diseases, increased healthcare expenditure, the need for advanced imaging techniques, the presence of established players, and a significant shift towards digital medical equipment. Additionally, the United States accounted for 91.21% of the North American market share for refurbished medical equipment. The increasing population with diseases, improved access to insurance, and rapid adoption of advanced healthcare instruments for treatments are major factors driving the demand for refurbished medical equipment in the US.

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Competitive Landscape

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The global refurbished medical equipment market is characterized by active participation from a limited number of global, regional, and local players who offer a diverse range of medical equipment. The industry exhibits relatively low competition, as the key players have established a significant market share compared to their competitors. This market provides an avenue for affordable access to healthcare services and helps reduce costs, particularly in developing countries where these equipment are procured and utilized.

Leading manufacturers such as GE Healthcare, Koninklijke Philips, and Siemens Healthineers have implemented the refurbishment process and market their refurbished medical equipment under distinct brand names. As of 2021, the North American region emerged as the largest market for refurbished medical equipment. This can be attributed to the presence of numerous private healthcare facilities, a growing elderly population, a high prevalence of various diseases, ongoing reimbursement reductions, and specific regulatory frameworks governing the sale and usage of refurbished medical equipment in the United States.

Key companies profiled in this report include General Electric Company, Koninklijke Philips, Siemens Healthineers, Amber Diagnostics, Apt Medical Systems, Avante Health Solutions, Block Imaging, EverX, Future Health Concepts, Medirays, Meridian Medical, PACIFIC HEALTHCARE IMAGING, Radiology Oncology System, Soma Tech Intl, US Med-Equip’s, US Medical Systems, Venture Medical ReQuip.

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Key Questions Answered

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What is the projected market size of refurbished medical equipment by 2027?

The global refurbished medical equipment market size was valued at USD 15.23 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 29.68 billion by 2027.

What is the growth rate of the global refurbished medical equipment market?

The global refurbished medical equipment market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.55% from 2021 to 2027.

Who are the key companies in the global refurbished medical equipment market?

The major companies in the global refurbished medical equipment market include General Electric Company, Koninklijke Philips, and Siemens Healthineers.

What are the latest trends in the global refurbished medical equipment market?

The latest trends in the global refurbished medical equipment market include increasing demand for medical equipment in developing countries, high capital and procurement costs of medical equipment, and growing preference for eco-friendly products.

Which region dominates the global refurbished medical equipment market?

North America holds the largest market share in the global refurbished medical equipment market. The demand for refurbished medical equipment in North America is primarily driven by factors such as the rising prevalence of chronic diseases leading to increased hospital admissions, a growing number of imaging and surgical procedures, and the high cost of new medical equipment.