Medical Textiles & Apparel
A Dynamic Niche with Long-term U.S. Export Potential?”
Laura V. Rodriguez Chemicals and Textiles Division Office of Industries March 22, 2012
∗ Significance of this niche and factors boosting
global demand ∗ Principal products and applications ∗ Manufacturing processes and factors ∗ Recent innovations ∗ Trade trends-key products and markets, 2007-11 ∗ Case studies of U.S. exporters ∗ Export strategies for long-term success
Today’s Discussion
∗Supports healthcare ∗Growing niche- accounts for 20
percent of technical textiles ∗Domestic production ∗Recession resistant ∗U.S. competitive advantages
Significance of this sector
∗ Population growth and aging populations ∗ Rising living standards ∗ Construction of new medical facilities ∗ Medical tourism ∗ High hospital infection rates ∗ Medical devices requiring textiles components
Growing Global Demand for Medical Textiles & Apparel
∗Limited and unreliable export data ∗Confidentiality -privately held firms ∗ Intellectual property concerns
Research Challenges
Nonwovens Comprise 75% of Medical Textiles
∗ Wipes, wadding, gauze, wound dressings ∗ Surgical drapes & towels ∗ Hospital surgical scrubs, masks, and lab coats ∗ Antimicrobial yarns & medical fabrics ∗ Stump socks, prosthetic socks, diabetic socks ∗ Compression hosiery (for varicose veins, etc.)
Low to High Tech Products
∗ Smart apparel –embedded devices/sensors to monitor heartbeat and other vital signs
∗ Implantable textiles -sterile surgical catgut for sutures; vascular grafts, artificial veins
∗ Textiles with elastomeric yarn used in maternity belts, neck wraps, surgical bras worn outside the body
∗ Textiles used in heart valves, kidneys, artificial joints/bones/ligaments/implants (some are X rated!)
Low to High Tech Products-cont’d
∗ Research and development ∗ Raw materials ∗ Fabrics ∗ Equipment ∗ Chemicals and their application ∗ Testing ∗ Waste disposal
Cost Factors
Production Process
Polymers
Fibers
Yarns
∗ Woven ∗ Knitted ∗ Braided ∗ Non-Woven
∗ Fabrics
∗ Medical Textiles & Apparel
Medical properties embedded or sprayed onto product
Impregnating, coating, laminating, finishing
∗ Lightness –Strength –Elasticity –Softness ∗ Fluid resistant –or absorbent ∗ Biodegradable –Biocompatible – Bioreceptive ∗ High barrier of protection & permeability ∗ Anti-microbial and anti-bacterial ∗ Electrical or thermal conductivity ∗ Non-allergenic, non-toxic, non- carcinogenic,
non-irritant; durable (medical apparel) ∗ Comfortable and drapable
Essential Properties
∗ New uses for old, natural fibers like silk ∗ New fiber technology – ex: “Qmilch” - new sustainable
textile fiber that when made into fabric – soothing to people with skin allergies (German)
∗ Self-cleaning cotton fabric kills bacteria and breaks down toxic chemicals when exposed to light– developed by UC Davis
∗ Antimicrobial technology added to apparel physically ruptures cells without poison
∗ Pillowcases that eliminate wrinkles!
Innovations
∗ 3005.90 – wadding, gauze, bandages ∗ 3006.10 – sterile surgical catgut ∗ 6115.10 – compression hosiery ∗ 6307.90 – surgical drapes and towels ∗ 9021.90 – appliances worn or carried on
the body
Medical Textiles & Apparel Exports
∗ Intellectual property protection concerns – pending patent issues
∗High foreign tariffs ∗Non-tariff barriers ∗ Lower-cost competition
Export Challenges
∗ Initial capital investment ∗ Economies of scale ∗ Delays/Licensing-patent requirements ∗ Exchange rates – strong dollar ∗ Mindset of U.S. manufacturers ∗ FTAs
Export Challenges cont’d
∗ FTAs ∗ Growing middle class in foreign markets ∗ DOC assistance ∗ EXIM bank export credit terms ∗ Case Studies
Export Opportunities
U.S. Imports, Exports, and Trade Balance of Medical Textiles & Apparel
2007-2011
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Bill
ions
Exports Imports Trade balance
Source: Import data based on USITC DataWeb/UDOC. Export data estimated by Commission staff based on USITC/DataWeb/UDOC.
U.S. Exports, of Medical Textiles By Commodity Group - 2011
Source: Source: USITC DataWeb/USDOC.
APPLIANCES WORN/CARRIED ON BODY. NESOI
51% STERILE
SURGICAL CATGUT
32%
WADDING, GAUZE ETC
12%
COMPRESSION HOSIERY
3%
SURGICAL TOWELS
1%
SURGICAL DRAPES
1%
Top U.S. Export Markets for Medical Textiles - 2011
Source: USITC DataWeb/USDOC.
Netherlands20%
Japan9%
Belgium9%
Germany8%
Sweden7%
Ireland6%
Canada6%
Mexico6% Other
29%
0
100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
600,000
700,000
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Thou
sand
s of
Dol
lars
Exports Imports Trade balance
U.S. Imports, Exports, and Trade Balance of Sterile Surgical Catgut for 2007-2011
∗ Take advantage of existing export help ∗ Engage in ongoing investment in R & D ∗ Emphasize branding ∗ Diversify export markets and target markets
with expanding medical infrastructure ∗ Continually develop innovative products
Essential for Long-Term Export Success