European Infection Control Market 2025–2030: Growth, Trends, and Competitive Landscape
The European infection control market is experiencing significant growth and transformation, driven by increasing healthcare demands, technological advancements, and stringent regulatory requirements. ResearchAndMarkets.com has recently added the comprehensive report titled “European Infection Control Market by Product (Sterilization Equipment, Indicators), Service (ETO, Gamma), Disinfectants (Wipes, Sprays), Gown, Drapes, Endoscope Reprocessing, End User (Hospitals, Pharma) – Forecast to 2030” to its offering. The report provides a deep dive into the evolving landscape of infection control across Europe, offering actionable insights for both established market leaders and emerging entrants.
According to the report, the European infection control market is projected to reach USD 20.58 billion by 2030, up from USD 14.99 billion in 2025, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6% over the forecast period. This steady growth is fueled by multiple factors, including the rising number of surgical procedures, ongoing advancements in sterilization and reprocessing technologies, increasing emphasis on sterilization and disinfection in the food industry, and the growing trend of outsourcing infection control services among pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and hospitals.
Market Segmentation by Product and Service
The European infection control market is broadly segmented into sterilization products and services, cleaning and disinfection products, protective barriers, endoscope reprocessing products, and other infection control products. Among these segments, cleaning and disinfection products held the largest market share in 2024. The dominance of this segment can be attributed to several factors, including the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, stringent regulatory standards, continuous advancements in sterilization technologies, and strong government support for healthcare safety initiatives.
Sterilization products and services include equipment and solutions used for sterilizing surgical instruments, medical devices, and other critical equipment. Key sterilization technologies covered in the market include hydrogen peroxide sterilization, ethylene oxide (ETO) sterilization, gamma irradiation, low-temperature sterilization methods, and complementary technologies such as supercritical CO₂, ultra-high-pressure sterilization, PEF sterilization, and plasma sterilization. These technologies have increasingly become critical in preventing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and ensuring patient safety, especially as healthcare institutions adopt more advanced and sensitive medical devices.
End User Analysis
The market is also segmented by end user, including hospitals and clinics, medical device companies, pharmaceutical companies, the life sciences industry, and the food industry, among others. Hospitals and clinics are the largest end users of infection control products in Europe, accounting for the largest market share in 2024. The growing number of surgical procedures, coupled with government initiatives aimed at improving infection prevention and control, has led to greater awareness and implementation of rigorous standards in healthcare facilities. Hospitals and clinics continue to prioritize infection control measures, including automated disinfection systems, staff training, and compliance with national and EU-level guidelines.
Regional Insights
Geographically, the European infection control market is segmented into 13 countries, including Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Poland, Austria, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Portugal, and the rest of Europe. Among these, Germany is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. Several factors contribute to Germany’s leading position: strong regulatory support through national public health initiatives, high healthcare expenditure, widespread adoption of advanced infection control products, and a well-established infrastructure for sterilization and reprocessing services. Other European countries, such as the UK, France, and Italy, are also significant contributors to market growth, driven by increasing healthcare investments and rising awareness of infection prevention measures.
Key Market Drivers
The European infection control market is propelled by several critical factors:
- Rising Prevalence of HAIs: Hospital-acquired infections remain a significant concern in European healthcare settings. Infection control measures, including sterilization, disinfection, and the use of protective barriers, are increasingly prioritized to mitigate these risks.
- Increasing Number of Surgical Procedures: The demand for infection control products is closely linked to the number of surgeries performed. As the number of procedures rises, hospitals invest in advanced sterilization and cleaning technologies to ensure patient safety.
- Advancements in Reprocessing Technologies: Technological innovations in endoscope and instrument reprocessing, including automated systems and low-temperature sterilization techniques, are enhancing efficiency and safety in healthcare facilities.
- Emphasis on Food Sterilization and Disinfection: Infection control is not limited to healthcare; it also extends to food sterilization and hygiene practices. The growing emphasis on food safety across Europe supports market growth.
- Technological Advancements in Sterilization Equipment: New sterilization equipment, including AI-integrated systems and high-performance sterilizers, are improving process reliability, efficiency, and traceability.
- Outsourcing Trends: Pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and hospitals increasingly outsource sterilization and infection control services to specialized providers, driving demand for professional infection control solutions.
Market Restraints
Despite its growth, the market faces several challenges:
- Safety Concerns: Reprocessed instruments may carry safety risks if sterilization protocols are not strictly followed.
- Chemical Disinfectant Issues: Prolonged exposure to certain disinfectants can pose health risks for healthcare workers.
- High Cost of Endoscope Reprocessing: Endoscopy reprocessing is expensive, and limited reimbursements in some countries may slow adoption.
- Sterilization of Advanced Devices: Modern medical devices often require specialized sterilization methods, which can increase complexity and cost.
Market Opportunities
Several emerging opportunities are expected to boost market growth:
- EU Guidelines and MDR Compliance: Implementation of stringent European Union guidelines and medical device regulations (MDR) creates demand for advanced infection control solutions.
- E-Beam Sterilization: Electron beam (E-beam) sterilization offers a faster and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional methods, presenting growth opportunities.
- AI and Generative AI Integration: AI technologies are increasingly being adopted in infection control to optimize sterilization cycles, monitor compliance, and predict maintenance needs.
Value Chain and Technology Analysis
The infection control market’s value chain encompasses research and development, raw material supply, manufacturing, distribution, marketing, sales, and post-sales services. Companies are leveraging innovative technologies such as heat sterilization, low-temperature sterilization, plasma sterilization, supercritical CO₂ sterilization, and ultra-high-pressure sterilization, alongside complementary solutions, to meet evolving market demands. Additionally, the impact of AI and generative AI on the market is notable, with potential applications in process automation, predictive maintenance, and operational efficiency.
Competitive Landscape
The European infection control market features a mix of tier 1, tier 2, and tier 3 companies, classified by annual revenue:
- Tier 1: > USD 10 billion (40% of the market)
- Tier 2: USD 1–10 billion (30% of the market)
- Tier 3: < USD 1 billion (35% of the market)
The decision-makers referenced in the report include C-level executives (27%), directors (18%), and other professionals (55%), such as product managers, marketing managers, and distributors.
Prominent market participants include STERIS plc (US), Getinge AB (Sweden), Ecolab, Inc. (US), Solventum Corporation (US), Advanced Sterilization Products (US), Kimberly Clark Corporation (US), B. Braun Group (Germany), Olympus Corporation (Japan), Paul Hartmann AG (Germany), Reckitt Benckiser (UK), Cardinal Health (US), Miele Group (Germany), MMM Group (Germany), Matachana Group (Spain), Medline Industries (US), among others. These companies are investing in research, strategic partnerships, product innovation, and AI-driven technologies to strengthen their market presence.
Supply Chain and Tariff Implications
The supply chain in European infection control includes raw material suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and end users. The market is also impacted by trade regulations and tariffs, which can influence pricing and product availability. For example, the Trump-era tariffs on certain medical products had repercussions on European suppliers, affecting cost structures and procurement strategies.
