Global Synthetic Absorbable Sutures Market - By Material Type: Polyglycolic Acid (PGA), Polylactic Acid (PLA), Polydioxanone (PDO), Polyglactin, Others (Glycolide-Caprolactone Copolymers); By Coating: Coated, Non-Coated; By Application: General Surgery, Gynecology, Orthopedics, Cardiovascular, Others (Dental, Urology, Veterinary); By End User: Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Clinics, Others (Veterinary, Research Institutes); By Region: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa.
Market Overview
Synthetic absorbable sutures are surgical threads designed to break down through hydrolysis within the body over time, eliminating the need for removal. They are made from polymers such as polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactic acid (PLA), and polydioxanone (PDO). These sutures are widely used in general surgery, gynecology, orthopedics, and cardiovascular procedures due to their predictable absorption rates, lower tissue reactivity, and enhanced tensile strength compared to natural sutures.
The market is experiencing strong growth driven by advances in polymer chemistry, increasing rates of minimally invasive and laparoscopic surgeries, and high demand for quick-healing, biocompatible closure materials in both hospitals and outpatient settings.
Market Size and Forecast
|
Year |
Market Value (USD Billion) |
Notes |
|
2019 |
2.46 |
Pre-pandemic baseline based on surgical volumes |
|
2024 |
3.94 |
Post-COVID surgical rebound and ambulatory demand surge |
|
2031 |
6.45 |
Seven-year CAGR 7.3% (2024–2031) |
The synthetic absorbable sutures market is projected to surpass USD 6.4 billion by 2031, driven by increased use in outpatient procedures and innovations in antimicrobial coatings.
Primary Market Drivers
• Rising global surgical volumes and an aging population
• Shift toward day surgeries and ambulatory centers
• Demand for sutures with predictable absorption kinetics
• Increased preference for synthetic over catgut due to better biocompatibility
• Advancements in suture coatings for antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties
Market Challenges
• Competition from advanced wound closure devices such as staples, tissue adhesives, and barbed sutures
• Price pressures in developing regions and public healthcare systems
• Variability in degradation times based on surgical site and patient physiology
• Regulatory complexities for coating formulations and drug-device combinations
Competitive Landscape
|
Company / Organization |
2024 Share |
Core Strengths |
Recent Moves |
|
Ethicon (Johnson & Johnson) |
36 % |
VICRYL, MONOCRYL, antibacterial-coated sutures |
Launched eco-friendly packaging initiative (Q4 2024) |
|
Medtronic |
17 % |
Polysorb and Biosyn brands |
Introduced barbed synthetic sutures line (Q2 2024) |
|
B. Braun |
12 % |
Novosyn and Safil brands |
Expanded manufacturing in Europe (Q3 2024) |
|
Smith & Nephew |
9 % |
Biosyn FX and wound closure systems |
Focused on laparoscopic specialty kits |
|
Others (Péters Surgical, Assut, Lotus, Surgical Specialties) |
26 % |
Niche offerings in gynecology, ophthalmology, and veterinary |
Detailed Market Segmentation
By Material Type
• Polyglycolic Acid (PGA) – 29 %
• Polylactic Acid (PLA) – XX %
• Polydioxanone (PDO) – XX %
• Polyglactin – XX %
• Others (Glycolide-Caprolactone Copolymers) – XX %
By Coating
• Coated – 53 %
• Non-Coated – XX %
By Application
• General Surgery – 36 %
• Gynecology – XX %
• Orthopedics – XX %
• Cardiovascular – XX %
• Others (Dental, Urology, Veterinary) – XX %
By End User
• Hospitals – 52 %
• Ambulatory Surgical Centers – XX %
• Clinics – XX %
• Others (Veterinary, Research Institutes) – XX %
Regional Analysis
• North America (37%) – High adoption of coated and antimicrobial sutures; outpatient procedure growth
• Europe (XX%) – Expansion of MIS procedures and preference for eco-compliant packaging
• Asia-Pacific (XX%) – Fastest growing region; increasing surgery access and domestic manufacturing
• Latin America & MEA (XX%) – Growing investments in surgical infrastructure and regional supply chains
Technology and Innovation
• Bioresorbable sutures with anti-inflammatory drug coatings
• Barbed sutures reducing the need for knot-tying
• Sutures embedded with hemostatic agents or growth factors
• Smart sutures with embedded sensors for infection detection (in R&D)
• Eco-packaging using biodegradable films for suture trays
Regulatory Environment
• FDA and CE guidance on coated and drug-eluting sutures as combination products
• ISO 10993 standards for biocompatibility testing of polymeric sutures
• Regional requirements for packaging sustainability (e.g., EU Green Deal compliance)
• Veterinary suture approvals under separate frameworks in emerging regions
Recent Developments (Q4 2023 – Q2 2025)
• Ethicon announced fully recyclable suture trays by 2025 (Q4 2024)
• Medtronic launched barbed absorbable sutures under Polysorb Edge (Q2 2024)
• B. Braun expanded Novosyn production line in Germany (Q3 2024)
• Smith & Nephew introduced procedure-specific kits for OB/GYN (Q1 2025)
• Péters Surgical partnered with Indian OEMs for low-cost coated sutures (Q1 2025)
Strategic Outlook
• Manufacturers should prioritize sustainability in packaging and coating materials
• Specialty surgical kits offer growth in outpatient and gynecological markets
• Domestic manufacturing capacity in APAC and LATAM regions will enhance supply resilience
• Investment in smart suture R&D could redefine postoperative monitoring
Methodology
Clearview Market Insights compiled surgical procedure volume datasets, analyzed polymer supply chains, and interviewed 55 clinicians and procurement officers across hospitals and ambulatory centers in 20+ countries. Forecasts reflect procedure mix shifts, pricing dynamics, and innovation cycles.
About Clearview Market Insights
Clearview Market Insights delivers market intelligence and foresight across wound closure technologies, surgical consumables, and biodegradable medical materials.
Need help?
Chat with our team in a minute.