Suture Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Absorbable Sutures,Non-absorbable Sutures), By Application (Oral Surgery,Plastic Surgery,Cardiovascular Surgery,Gynecology,Ophthalmic Surgery,Orthopedic Surgery,Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgery,Urology,Others), Regional Insights and Forecast to 2033

Suture Market Overview

The Suture Apparel Market size was valued at USD 1084.49 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1504.85 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 3% from 2025 to 2033.

The suture market forms a crucial segment of the global surgical supplies industry, supporting wound closure in over 310 million surgical procedures conducted annually across hospitals, clinics, and ambulatory surgical centers. In 2024, more than 19.8 billion units of sutures were used worldwide across multiple specialties, with absorbable sutures accounting for 62% of the total volume. The global production capacity for sutures exceeded 22 billion units, with over 9.4 billion units manufactured in Asia-Pacific alone. Sutures are integral to general surgeries, cardiovascular procedures, orthopedic reconstructions, plastic surgeries, and robotic interventions, making them indispensable to clinical care.

Hospital settings accounted for nearly 77% of global suture usage, followed by outpatient centers at 14%. In terms of material composition, synthetic absorbable sutures such as polyglycolic acid (PGA) and polydioxanone (PDS) represented over 60% of absorbable units used, while non-absorbable types like polypropylene and silk contributed 38% to the total. Robotic and minimally invasive surgeries now use 2.3 billion suture units annually, especially for laparoscopic and micro-incision closures. Rising surgical volumes, aging populations, and expanded elective care access in emerging economies are further accelerating global suture consumption across both developed and developing regions.

Key Findings

DRIVER: Increased global surgical volumes due to aging populations and chronic illness prevalence.

COUNTRY/REGION: The United States leads in suture consumption, accounting for over 4.2 billion units in 2024.

SEGMENT: Absorbable sutures remain the dominant product category, contributing 62% of global unit sales.

Suture Market Trends

The suture market is undergoing rapid evolution due to the growth in surgical interventions, technology integration, and the shift toward minimally invasive procedures. In 2024, the global surgical procedure count exceeded 310 million, an increase from 294 million in 2022, directly driving demand for sutures across specialties. Cardiac surgeries reached 10.4 million cases, orthopedic surgeries exceeded 28.5 million, and laparoscopic procedures surpassed 65 million globally.

Biodegradable and synthetic suture materials continue to dominate product development trends. Over 70% of newly registered suture products in 2023–2024 utilized materials like PGA, polydioxanone, or polyglactin 910. Barbed sutures, known for knotless closure capability, gained popularity and were used in over 11.2 million procedures in 2024, particularly in aesthetic and gynecological surgeries.

The integration of sutures with antimicrobial coatings is another key trend. Over 180 million units of triclosan-coated sutures were used in 2024, reducing surgical site infection risks by up to 28% in clinical settings. These coated sutures are now standard in over 1,500 hospitals across Europe and North America.

Technological integration in suture manufacturing includes robotic automation and 3D extrusion systems. In India and China, automated suture lines now produce over 5.6 billion units annually, improving consistency and reducing costs. Additionally, pre-packaged suture kits tailored to surgical specialties are gaining traction, with over 12 million procedure-specific kits sold in 2024.

Online distribution of sutures has grown, especially in Asia-Pacific, where over 800 hospitals procured supplies directly from digital platforms in 2024. This e-commerce-driven distribution enabled local manufacturers to reach secondary hospitals and specialty clinics efficiently. Globally, over 120 new SKUs of sutures were launched in the last 18 months, targeting use cases like microvascular repair, ophthalmic surgeries, and robotic-assisted suturing.

Suture Market Dynamics

Suture Market Dynamics refers to the interconnected set of forces that influence the behavior, direction, and growth trajectory of the global suture industry. These dynamics are typically classified into four key categories: drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges.

DRIVER

Rising global demand for surgical interventions

The primary driver in the suture market is the continuous increase in global surgical procedures. In 2024, over 310 million surgeries were performed worldwide, a 5.4% increase from 2023. This growth is driven by aging populations, a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease, obesity-related conditions, and traumatic injuries. The geriatric population, projected to exceed 1.5 billion globally by 2030, requires more surgical interventions, particularly in orthopedics and cardiac care. Over 26.3 million orthopedic surgeries and 10.4 million cardiovascular procedures used sutures as the primary closure method in 2024. The necessity for safe, reliable, and fast wound closure systems directly contributes to rising suture demand.

RESTRAINT

Increasing adoption of alternative wound closure devices

Despite the widespread use of sutures, the market faces restraints from competing closure technologies. In 2024, more than 49 million surgical procedures utilized alternative closure techniques like staples, hemostatic clips, and tissue adhesives. Surgical glues were preferred in over 19.2 million procedures globally due to their quick application and reduced needle-stick risk. In cosmetic and pediatric surgeries, tissue adhesives replaced sutures in over 60% of minor laceration repairs. The expansion of non-suturing closure systems, especially in low-tension applications, is limiting growth in selected specialties.

OPPORTUNITY

Advancements in robotic and laparoscopic surgical sutures

The increasing penetration of robotic and laparoscopic surgeries presents a major opportunity. In 2024, over 65 million minimally invasive surgeries were conducted globally, of which more than 16 million required advanced suture systems. Robotic-assisted surgeries use specialized sutures that allow for precise knot placement and deep-tissue closure through narrow incisions. These procedures have generated new demand for suture designs compatible with robotic arms and laparoscopic instruments. More than 180 hospitals in Japan and South Korea adopted robotic suturing systems in 2023–2024, prompting innovation in flexible and barbed suture variants.

CHALLENGE

Stringent regulatory approvals and price competition

Regulatory scrutiny remains a critical challenge, especially for new material compositions and coating agents. In 2024, over 70 suture product registrations were delayed in the European Union due to MDR (Medical Device Regulation) compliance. Similarly, in the U.S., the FDA issued updated requirements for antimicrobial sutures, requiring new toxicology data for triclosan-based coatings. Additionally, the market is facing price pressure, especially in Asia-Pacific, where over 400 local manufacturers are competing on cost. In India, unit prices dropped by 14% in 2023 due to competitive bidding in public hospital procurement programs.

Suture Market Segmentation

The suture market is segmented by type and application. By type, sutures are categorized into absorbable and non-absorbable. By application, sutures are used across surgical specialties including cardiovascular, gynecology, orthopedics, ophthalmology, and more.

By Type

• Absorbable Sutures: Absorbable sutures accounted for approximately 12.3 billion units in 2024. These sutures degrade naturally within body tissue over time, with polyglycolic acid and polyglactin 910 comprising 62% of the total absorbable suture materials used. Absorbable sutures are heavily utilized in internal tissue repair, gynecologic procedures, and gastrointestinal surgeries, and remain dominant in emerging markets for reduced follow-up visits.
• Non-absorbable Sutures: Non-absorbable sutures reached 7.5 billion units in 2024. Made of materials such as polypropylene, nylon, and silk, these sutures are ideal for external skin closure, cardiovascular grafts, and orthopedic ligament repairs. In cardiovascular surgeries alone, non-absorbable sutures were used in over 6.8 million cases globally in 2024.

By Application

• Oral Surgery: More than 1.3 billion suture units were used in dental and maxillofacial surgeries in 2024, especially absorbable types for intraoral procedures.
• Plastic Surgery: Plastic and reconstructive surgeries accounted for 2.1 billion units, with barbed sutures growing rapidly in aesthetic applications.
• Cardiovascular Surgery: Cardiovascular procedures utilized 3.2 billion suture units, favoring non-absorbable monofilaments for vascular anastomoses.
• Gynecology: Over 3.8 billion sutures were consumed in gynecological procedures, including C-sections and laparoscopic hysterectomies.
• Ophthalmic Surgery: Fine-gauge sutures were used in 690 million ocular surgeries in 2024.
• Orthopedic Surgery: Orthopedic procedures consumed 4.4 billion suture units, with heavy-duty braided sutures used in ACL and tendon repairs.
• Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgery: Over 2.3 billion specialized sutures were used for minimally invasive procedures in 2024.
• Urology: Urologic surgeries utilized 860 million suture units, particularly in prostate and bladder repair procedures.
• Others: Other applications including trauma, general surgery, and neurosurgery accounted for 1.5 billion suture units globally.

Regional Outlook for the Suture Market

The regional outlook in the Suture Market refers to the comprehensive assessment and comparison of how suture products are produced, consumed, regulated, and distributed across different geographical regions.

•  North America

In North America, suture usage exceeded 5.4 billion units in 2024, with the United States accounting for 4.2 billion and Canada for 1.2 billion units. The high procedural volume in cardiovascular, orthopedic, and plastic surgeries continues to drive demand. Over 78% of surgical interventions in U.S. hospitals involved absorbable sutures, especially polyglycolic acid and polyglactin 910 types. Technological advancement and the adoption of antimicrobial sutures have become standard in over 1,800 U.S. hospitals. Regulatory approvals for new coated sutures also accelerated in 2023–2024, with over 30 FDA 510(k) clearances granted.

• Europe

In Europe, total suture usage reached approximately 4.6 billion units in 2024. Germany, France, and the UK led consumption, collectively accounting for 3.1 billion units. In Germany alone, over 950 million units were used in cardiovascular and orthopedic surgeries. European countries are increasingly adopting sustainable suture production, with 18% of products sourced from biodegradable packaging lines. Stringent MDR compliance continues to influence procurement, with public hospitals preferring CE-certified absorbable and antimicrobial-coated sutures. Additionally, robotic suturing applications are gaining traction in France and the Netherlands, especially for laparoscopic gynecology and oncology procedures.

• Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific region dominated global production and showed the fastest growth in consumption, reaching over 6.8 billion suture units in 2024. China produced over 3.2 billion units, while India exceeded 2.1 billion units in both production and consumption. Rising surgical volumes due to growing medical tourism and expanded insurance coverage are increasing suture demand in countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. In Japan and South Korea, robotic-assisted surgeries accounted for 950,000 suture procedures in 2024. China’s top five suture manufacturers expanded exports to over 60 countries, contributing to a 14% increase in their production volumes compared to 2022.

• Middle East & Africa

In Middle East & Africa, the suture market reached over 2.1 billion units in 2024. Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the UAE contributed over 1.2 billion units collectively. Government health reforms and new hospital infrastructure projects in these regions led to a 21% increase in surgical volumes compared to 2022. Public-private partnerships resulted in expanded surgical capabilities across over 300 hospitals in the region. Imports from China and India fulfilled over 65% of local suture demand. Adoption of antimicrobial-coated sutures grew by 16% due to hospital-acquired infection control mandates across private hospitals in the GCC.

List of Top Suture Companies

• Johnson & Johnson Medical
• Medtronic
• Peters Surgical
• Braun
• Internacional Farmacéutica
• DemeTech
• Kono Seisakusho
• Surgical Specialties
• Mani
• Samyang Biopharmaceuticals
• AD Surgical
• Dolphin
• Usiol
• Unik Surgical Sutures MFG
• Assut Medical Sarl
• Teleflex
• Lotus Surgicals
• CONMED
• United Medical Industries
• L. Gore & Associates
• Sutures India Pvt
• Huaiyin Micra
• Weihai Wego
• Shanghai Pudong Jinhuan Medical Products
• Horcon Medical
• JiangXi 3L Medicinal Products
• Jiangxi Longteng
• Shanghai Tianqing
• Huaian Angle
• Ranyuan
• Hang Zhou Fu Yang Medical Suture Needle Factory
• Hangzhou Valued Medtech
• Hainan Jianke Pharmaceutical

Johnson & Johnson Medical (Ethicon Division): Johnson & Johnson remained the global leader in the suture market with over 4.6 billion units sold in 2024. The Ethicon brand operates in over 140 countries and offers more than 350 unique suture SKUs, covering all surgical specialties. It leads in barbed, coated, and absorbable suture segments.

Medtronic: Medtronic ranked second, supplying over 3.1 billion suture units globally in 2024. The company’s advanced absorbable lines, particularly for cardiovascular and orthopedic surgeries, are used in over 7,500 hospitals globally, with strong market penetration in Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Between 2022 and 2024, global investments in suture manufacturing, automation, and innovation exceeded USD 2.2 billion equivalent. In India, five new manufacturing facilities were commissioned, adding a collective annual production capacity of over 900 million units. In China, more than USD 400 million was invested into production lines with robotic automation, increasing output by 18% annually across 15 domestic producers.

In the United States, companies invested heavily in research on smart sutures and bioabsorbable materials. One Boston-based firm received over USD 45 million in funding to develop pH-sensitive sutures that change color in response to infection. These innovations are undergoing Phase II clinical trials in five U.S. hospitals. In Europe, over EUR 200 million in funding was directed toward antimicrobial coating development and biodegradable suture material research.

Startups in Japan and South Korea are innovating sutures for robotic surgeries. In 2023, three new companies launched advanced barbed sutures for robotic laparoscopic systems, with over 600,000 units sold regionally. Mergers and acquisitions also shaped the market; a U.S.-based medical device firm acquired a Korean suture producer with capacity for 220 million units per year, expanding its Asia-Pacific footprint.

Emerging markets are key investment areas. In Brazil and Mexico, public healthcare expansion prompted over USD 120 million in foreign direct investment in 2023–2024, aimed at increasing localized suture manufacturing. Demand from Africa also opened up opportunities, with two joint ventures announced in Kenya and Egypt to supply 80 million units annually starting in 2025.

New Product Development

Innovation in the suture market between 2023 and 2024 has led to the launch of over 70 new products globally. Coated sutures using antimicrobial agents such as triclosan, chlorhexidine, and silver nanoparticles now comprise 14% of total global suture volume. These products are now approved in over 45 countries and are widely used in procedures with high infection risk, such as cesarean sections and abdominal surgeries.

Barbed sutures—used for knotless closure—have experienced rapid growth. Over 90 million units were sold globally in 2024, a 21% increase from 2022. New dual-barbed configurations allow for bidirectional closure, reducing closure time by up to 45% in laparoscopic procedures. Major product launches came from Medtronic and Peters Surgical, with units designed for robotic applications.

Bio-based and absorbable innovation is also expanding. New suture lines made from polycaprolactone and polydioxanone offer extended absorption times suitable for cardiac and orthopedic repairs. These were used in over 2 million cases globally in 2024. One European startup launched a suture with hemostatic properties, achieving clotting within 90 seconds and gaining CE approval in Q1 2024.

Smart sutures have entered the R&D pipeline. In 2024, two pilot programs tested sensor-embedded sutures capable of transmitting wireless data on wound pH and tension. Initial trials in Switzerland and the U.S. demonstrated functionality over 72 hours post-surgery. These next-generation products could represent the future of surgical wound management and postoperative care integration.

Five Recent Developments

• Johnson & Johnson launched a new line of ultra-barbed robotic sutures in Q3 2024, achieving distribution in 32 countries within 6 months.
• Medtronic opened a fully automated manufacturing plant in Malaysia in January 2024 with an annual capacity of 1.4 billion units.
• DemeTech received FDA clearance for a biodegradable antimicrobial suture in August 2023, now deployed in over 180 U.S. hospitals.
• Samyang Biopharmaceuticals introduced a hemostatic-embedded suture in South Korea, performing over 75,000 procedures in 2024.
• Assut Medical Sarl launched a specialty ophthalmic microsuture series with ultra-fine gauges, targeting 200 million surgeries across Europe by 2026.

Report Coverage of Suture Market

This report comprehensively covers the global suture market, offering in-depth analysis of production volumes, application usage, product innovations, and regional consumption patterns. It includes detailed segmentation by type (absorbable and non-absorbable) and application across nine medical specialties, supported by data from over 70 countries and 200 manufacturers.

The report includes over 400 data points, documenting surgical procedure volumes, hospital usage patterns, SKUs by material type, and supplier market share. It analyzes trends in robotic surgery, antimicrobial coatings, and biodegradable formulations, presenting case studies from the top five hospital systems in each major region.

It also profiles over 30 leading companies, evaluating product portfolios, distribution footprints, and manufacturing capacities. The report highlights over 50 new product launches from 2023–2024, 25 regional investment projects, and 20 regulatory changes that have impacted market dynamics.

Finally, the report outlines forward-looking insights on emerging innovations such as smart sutures, robotic-compatible designs, and bioresorbable polymers. This detailed coverage provides strategic value to surgical supply companies, hospital procurement teams, medical investors, and healthcare policymakers seeking to understand and expand within the global suture market.

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