The European medical device industry is a major consumer of polymeric materials and maintains a position of an innovative arena for polymer development. This report analyzes the European disposable medical devices industry with reference to the different application sectors and the materials being employed.

The report begins with a description of the major disposable medical device categories by patient application, and the importance of polymer attributes for the intended application are highlighted. In the main part of the report, the contribution of various polymers to the disposable medical devices industry are considered, with particular developments outlined.

The report concludes with allusion to the challenges and future opportunities for the polymer and the medical device industries. A series of Appendices provide contact details for polymer suppliers, device manufacturers and service providers.