Publication : ET HeathWorld
By: Deepak Pahwa, Chairman, Pahwa Group and Managing Director, Bry-Air (Asia) | ET HealthWorld | Tuesday, 16 Jun 2020
Dehumidification or Moisture/ Humidity Control solutions are almost essential across all the various stages and processes of the Pharmaceutical Industry. From processing to manufacturing, storage, research and testing, packaging areas of the pharma industry, all require ideal RH conditions to be maintained. Hence, dehumidifiers become all the more important. The current pandemic has brought back focus on the need for dehumidification solutions once again as the pharma industry and everything to do with people’s lives takes centre-stage.
With the rising number of COVID-19 cases across the globe, the pharmaceutical industry is witnessing a major shift. The dire need of the COVID-19 rapid test kits and other such critical diagnostic kits is one of the major demand drivers for moisture control solutions. These kits are highly hygroscopic, tend to react with moisture and thereby may lead to inaccurate test results unless they are made and packaged in a dry and safe environment. Thus, to ensure accurate test results, it is crucial to maintain the ideal RH conditions in the lab during manufacturing of Rapid Test Kits and other key Diagnostic Kits.
Another big highlight is the rise in usage of medical plastics – single-use products that are used in surgical as well as procedural applications – for which the usage has increased multi- fold in procedural applications and general check-up. Besides, the use of these disposables as instructed by various agencies, such as USFDA and Europe FDA, are propelling the demand for medical plastics globally.
Medical disposables such as gloves, masks, gowns, and other PPEs are driving the demand for moisture control solutions. Use of technology systems and equipment to prevent contamination, ensure safety and hygiene during the various stages of medical plastics manufacturing has become all the more paramount during this pandemic. The pharmaceutical industry is all the more cautious.
The use of technology, global medical plastics market size during this pandemic is projected to grow from USD 25.1 billion in 2020 to USD 29.4 billion by 2021, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17.2% during the forecast period.
Now we are seeing Indian pharma companies ship to US and all major countries across the globe during Covid-19 and this will only increase, as all of us get back to work. India will become the hub for global supply.
