Empty IV Bags Market By Material Type (Polypropylene (PP) IV Bags, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) IV Bags, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) IV Bags, Copolyester Ether (CPE) IV Bags, Others), By Application (Parenteral Nutrition, Blood Storage, Chemotherapy, IV Medication Delivery, Dialysis Fluids, Antibiotics and Other Drug Infusions), By Capacity (Below 250 mL, 500 mL, 1000 mL (1L), 2000 mL (2L) and Above), By Distribution Channel (Direct Sales, Distributors, Online Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies), and By End User (Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs), Home Care Settings, Blood Banks, Pharmaceutical & Biotech Companies), Global Market Size, Segmental analysis, Regional Overview, Company share analysis, Leading Company Profiles And Market Forecast, 2025 – 20355

Industry Outlook

The Empty IV Bags market accounted for USD 5.71 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 14.44 Billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of around 8.8% between 2025 and 2035. The empty IV bags market encompasses the manufacture and sale of empty, sterile, intravascular (IV) bags utilized in hospitals to provide fluids, medications, and nutrients to patients. They are made of plastic materials, with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) being the primary constituent, although non-PVC alternatives are also available in the market these days. These bags are used in healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, and ambulatory care centers. The rising amounts of intravenous treatment demand are the driving forces for the empty IV bags market along with the booming healthcare systems and proven medical technologies. In addition, the shift toward safer, more efficient alternative environments than traditional materials also fuels this market.

Report Scope:

Market Dynamics

Growing healthcare industry driving demand for medical packaging solutions.

The demand for medical packaging solutions has been quite significantly fueled by the expanding healthcare trade, considering the prevalence of empty IV bags. With the advancement of healthcare requirements due to the fast-growing older population, the requirement for IV treatments has increased, including the packaging that secures its safe sterilization and efficacy. Empty IV bags are critical for the good delivery of fluids, medicines, and nutrients to the patient. Considering the ever-increasing chronic diseases, hospital admissions, and outpatient treatments, it is ever more becoming necessary. The advancement in technologies used in the medical industry, coupled with an increasing focus on patient safety and convenience, is leading to healthcare providers preferring even more reliable and durable packaging options. Chronic diseases rank among the most important influencers of healthcare costs, according to the CDC, and efficient medical supply chain management, including IV bag packaging, supports the argument.

Increased hospital admissions and surgeries, boosting IV bag usage.

An increase in hospital admissions and surgery practice has been a significant driver for the growth of the empty IV bags market. There are more operations being performed in the surgical and critically ill settings that call for the infusion of fluids and associated equipment, such as IV bags. Therefore, the rise in hospital visits, particularly during the recuperation period following surgery or due to chronic illnesses, is what caused the rising need for IV bags.

According to a report put forth by the U.S. CDC, hospital admissions for surgeries and acute conditions have rampantly increased with every year, underscoring the steadily rising demand for medical supplies, inclusive of IV bags. All these trends suggest a continuous increase in demand in the market as these healthcare providers attend to an accruing number of patients who need intravenous therapy.

The growing prevalence of chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases serves to advance yet another reason for a demand for uninterrupted administration of IV fluids. Given the global expansion of healthcare systems, the market will continue to grow steadily as a result of rising demand for IV bags.

Risk of contamination leading to stringent quality control standards.

The empty IV bag market has to face several restraints, with the predominant one being the concern regarding contamination, resulting in the imposition of harder quality control standards. Contamination of medical products, particularly IV bags, can have grievous effects on patient health, which has necessitated regulatory organizations to come up with strict manufacturing and safety norms. This requires manufacturers to incur huge investments in compliance and testing procedures, thereby increasing the operational costs. Any such deviations could lead to recalls, damaging the brand's reputation and incurring financial loss.

Maintaining the sterilization conditions during the various production, storage, and distribution operations in the required time period adds another major hindrance to the market player. The high costs of these requirements might restrain the growth of the market, especially because small manufacturers may be incapable of supporting the investments necessary to comply with such stringent controls.

Integration of smart technology enhancing IV bag functionality and monitoring.

The empty IV bags market welcomes a huge opportunity due to smart technology being incorporated into IV bags for ease of functioning, efficiency, and safety for the patient. Smart IV bags containing sensors can measure fluid levels, pressure, and temperature in real-time and provide instant alerts to healthcare professionals concerning any potential problems, such as blockages or air bubble formations. This method minimizes human error and improves patient outcomes by enabling improved fluid monitoring with more control over their delivery. Smart technology can enhance inventory management by providing information on bag usage, expiration dates, and replacement needs.

Bulk manufacturers of empty IV bags have a lot of room to develop as the demand for smart IV bags is predicted to increase in unison with the growing interest in personalized medicine and better patient care. Increased telemedicine and remote patient monitoring further expand the possibilities of smart IV bags to enhance healthcare delivery in a range of contexts. Therefore, medical device and healthcare stakeholders are ready to begin leveraging the trend.

Strategic partnerships with hospitals and healthcare providers for supply agreements.

Hospital and healthcare provider collaborations provide major business opportunities to the empty IV bag market. Medical institutions that implement facility improvements and expansions need more effective and cost-saving medical products, including IV bags, for their operations. The consistent supply of empty IV bags for fluid delivery contents to patients becomes possible through hospital partnership collaboration.

The manufacturers benefit from secure and predictable earnings through extended supply contracts signed with health service providers. This business relationship inspires innovative research leading to safer, more sustainable, and advanced IV bag solutions. The supply of IV bags available to hospitals creates a massive opportunity for suppliers to scale their operations. The empty IV bags market will experience increased business strength through supplier-provider collaboration that supports healthcare partners in implementing their requirements and meeting regulatory standards.

Industry Experts Opinion

“Empty IV bags are a crucial part of fluid administration and medication delivery in hospitals. The shift toward eco-friendly materials and tamper-evident designs is an important step in improving both patient safety and sustainability in healthcare. However, the global supply chain challenges, such as the shortages we’ve seen during emergencies like hurricanes, highlight the need for more resilient manufacturing processes and increased domestic production to avoid potential disruptions in patient care.”

• Dr. Emily Reynolds, Chief of Clinical Pharmacy at St. Luke's Medical Center.

Segment Analysis

Based on the material type, the Empty IV Bags market is classified into Polypropylene (PP) IV Bags, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) IV Bags, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) IV Bags, Copolyester Ether (CPE) IV Bags, Others. Empty IV bags are most widely used in the IV market, where PVC is the most preferred material owing to its high flexibility, strength, and ease of fabrication. PVC bags are reasonably priced, durable, and resistant to chemicals, making them apt for medical use. They also provide a level of transparency, allowing for the viewing of the contents. The combination of these high characteristics at an economical price has made PVC the preferred choice for the IV bag market.

Based on the application, the Empty IV Bags market is classified into Parenteral Nutrition, Blood Storage, Chemotherapy, IV Medication Delivery, Dialysis Fluids, Antibiotics and Other Drug Infusions. The empty IV bag market's most consequential segment is IV medication delivery. This application is mainly because of the demand for intravenous administration of medication in hospitals and clinics. IV bags are important for administering a wide variety of drugs, including painkillers, antibiotics, and others. With the rising burden of chronic diseases and growing demand for rapidly and efficiently deliverable drug delivery systems, demand for IV medication delivery bags has risen, thus making this segment highly prominent in the market.

Regional Analysis

The North American empty IV bags market is gradually growing due to the rising demand for health services and medical treatment techniques. The rising number of hospital admissions, surgical procedures, and those concerning the management of chronic diseases all help increase the demand for IV therapies, which translates to demand for empty IV bags. Further, increasingly portable IV bags are being demanded with the shift toward home healthcare and outpatient.

Regulatory standards and innovations in bag materials, including the use of non-leaching, PVC-free plastics, are enhancing product offerings. The key players in the region are focusing on expanding their expenses to develop low-cost solutions to address the rising demand. Apart from this, the well-established healthcare infrastructure and increased healthcare spending markedly support the growth of the market in North America.

Asia-Pacific is witnessing the highest market growth in empty IV bags, as indicated by increased healthcare demand, expanding hospital infrastructures, and increased patient population. Increasing preference for intravenous therapies, especially in critical care and oncology, has engendered strong demand for empty IV bags in hospitals and clinics. Countries like China, India, and Japan grow the empty IV bags market; enhancing healthcare modernization, health awareness, and government initiatives to improve medical service are positive stimulants for the market to grow. In addition, chronic disease incidences and aging populations actually highlight the need for efficient and safe fluid administration systems.

The market and the consistent trend toward disposable and economical solutions in healthcare facilities were also impacted by the previously mentioned causes. In the region, manufacturers are focused on improving product quality, with innovative solutions such as greater seal integrity and improved production capacities to meet increasing demands. In addition, a steady export increase and collaboration with global healthcare providers also support this market growth in the Asia-Pacific region.  

Competitive Landscape

Leading companies like B. Braun Melsungen AG, AbbVie Inc., Terumo Corporation, and Fresenius Kabi AG dominate the fiercely competitive empty IV bag market. By increasing their product offerings, enhancing their production capabilities, and maintaining quality standards, these businesses aim to keep their competitive edge. Fresenius Kabi is more advanced with an array of IV bags, giving importance to safety features, while B. Braun Melsungen AG has been extending its footprint through acquisitions. Other manufacturers such as Medline Industries and Owens & Minor are looking to penetrate new markets using their strong distribution networks. The demand for these items has grown due to a rise in hospital admissions, surgeries, and intravenous therapies, which has made the already competitive climate even more intense. Organizations have studied ways to make IV bags more sustainable by using biodegradable alternatives as the market has changed.

Empty IV Bags Market, Company Shares Analysis, 2024

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Recent Developments:

• In December 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) added empty IV bags to its Medical Device Shortages List, expecting the shortage to last until March 2025. The scarcity impacted bags of all sizes, mainly due to higher demand and production disruptions. Hospitals and healthcare providers faced challenges in sourcing IV bags, leading to delays in patient care.

Report Coverage:

By Material Type

• Polypropylene (PP) IV Bags
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) IV Bags
• Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) IV Bags
• Copolyester Ether (CPE) IV Bags
• Others

By Application

• Parenteral Nutrition
• Blood Storage
• Chemotherapy
• IV Medication Delivery
• Dialysis Fluids
• Antibiotics and Other Drug Infusions

By Capacity

• Below 250 mL
• 500 mL
• 1000 mL (1L)
• 2000 mL (2L) and Above

By Distribution Channel

• Direct Sales
• Distributors
• Online Pharmacies
• Retail Pharmacies

By End User

• Hospitals & Clinics
• Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs)
• Home Care Settings
• Blood Banks
• Pharmaceutical & Biotech Companies

By Region

North America

• U.S.
• Canada

Europe

• U.K.
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• Australia
• South Korea
• Singapore
• Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Mexico
• Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

• GCC Countries
• South Africa
• Rest of Middle East & Africa

List of Companies:

• B. Braun Melsungen AG
• AbbVie Inc.
• Terumo Corporation
• Owens & Minor
• Smiths Group plc
• Fresenius Kabi AG
• Mölnlycke Health Care AB
• Medline Industries, Inc.
• Vygon SA
• Renolit SE
• West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.
• Intrapac International Corporation
• Medi-Flex, Inc.
• TQ Group
• Jiangsu Kangzheng Co., Ltd.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)