The Global Market for Hand Sanitizers is Projected to Reach 566.9 Million Units, Worth US$1.6 Billion by 2020

Growing Apprehension Amid Disease Outbreaks Drives Global Sales of Hand Sanitizers, According to a New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

GIA announces the release of a comprehensive global report on Hand Sanitizers. The global market for Hand Sanitizers is projected to reach 566.9 million units, worth US$1.6 billion by 2020, driven by the growing importance given for hand hygiene practices in the light of disease outbreaks, such as Ebola, and HINI.

Global sales of hand sanitizers are increasing, driven by the rising consumer awareness over the importance of hand hygiene in preventing the spread of contagious diseases. Hand washing is becoming a part of personal hygiene practices as a result of consumer apprehension over contracting infections. Periodic outbreak of Avian flu, Swine flu, and SARS, as well as the recent Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic in West Africa are mega force multipliers for the global hand sanitizers market. Endorsement of hand hygiene by global health authorities, such as the WHO and the US CDC is playing a pivotal role in popularizing hand sanitizer products across the world. Widespread media coverage about disease outbreaks is additionally fuelling the trend. Healthcare institutions are increasingly mandating stricter hand washing routines among staff in order to prevent hospital-acquired infections (HAIs).

Adoption of hand sanitizers is driven by the convenience of cleansing hands without using water, coupled with the availability of the product in a wide variety of form factors, such as gels, lotions, as well as dispenser formats, including portable bottles and sprays, and fixed manual and touch-free dispensers. Dedicated marketing and promotional campaigns are positioning hand sanitizers as the first line of defense against infectious diseases. As a result, consumers across the world are increasingly using hand sanitizers to complement and substitute the traditional practice of washing hands with soap and water. Development and launch of skin-safe, sustainable, and eco-friendly products are expected to spur growth in the market. Manufacturers are developing new formulations with fragrances, moisturizers, and other functional benefits customized to attract the working class, baby boomers, and kids. Manufacturers are focusing R&D efforts towards developing hand sanitizers that are effective against deadly human strains of enteroviruses and noroviruses. Products with quaternary ammonium compounds and other advanced ingredients are expected to pave the way for widespread application of hand sanitizers for decontamination purposes in the battle against life threatening diseases, such as Ebola.

Hand sanitizers are battling fiercely with hand antiseptics, disinfectants, and soaps for a slice of global retail shelf space for hand hygiene products. Major challenges inhibiting market growth include the lack of adequate clinical evidence to validate effectiveness of hand sanitizers against all types of microbes; growing consumer fears about the toxicity of chemical ingredients, and health risks due to the overuse or abuse of hand sanitizers.

As stated by the new market research report on Hand Sanitizers, Asia-Pacific represents the largest market worldwide. The region also ranks as the fastest growing market with a CAGR of 13.9% over the analysis period. The growth in the region is supported by economic prosperity, improving living standards, higher disposable incomes, and growing awareness about health and wellbeing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers comprise the largest category in the hand sanitizers market, and the most widely used sanitizer in healthcare facilities, including hospitals, driven by strong support from global major healthcare organizations, such as the CDC, FDA, and WHO. Growing concerns over flammability, toxicity, and detrimental effect of alcohol based products on skin is driving demand for hand sanitizers with non-alcoholic ingredients.

Major players covered in the report include 3M Company, Best Sanitizers Inc., Chattem Inc., Dial Corporation, GOJO Industries Inc., Lion Corporation, Medline Industries Inc., Nice-Pak Products Inc., Procter & Gamble, Reckitt Benckiser Plc, Skinvisible Inc., Unilever PLC, and Vi-Jon Laboratories Inc., among others.

The research report titled “Hand Sanitizers: A Global Strategic Business Report” announced by Global Industry Analysts Inc., provides a comprehensive review of market trends, issues, drivers, mergers, acquisitions and other strategic industry activities of major companies worldwide. The report provides market estimates and projections in Value (US$) and Volume (Units) terms for all major geographic markets, such as the US, Canada, Japan, Europe (France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, India, South Korea, Taiwan, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and Rest of Latin America), and Rest of World.