The global sterilization services market is projected to grow from USD 3.75 billion in 2025 to USD 5.49 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 7.9%, according to the latest report by MarketsandMarkets™.
This steady growth reflects the industry’s response to increasing global healthcare demands, evolving regulatory standards, and the expanding role of contract sterilization providers in medical, pharmaceutical, and food industries.
Market Growth Drivers
The demand for sterilization services continues to accelerate, propelled by multiple converging trends:
- Rising prevalence of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs): Growing emphasis on infection control and hygiene standards in healthcare facilities.
- Increasing volume of surgical procedures: Expansion of hospital infrastructure and medical device usage globally.
- Food sterilization initiatives: Rising need for food safety and shelf-life extension amid growing foodborne illness concerns.
- Outsourcing to contract sterilization service providers: Manufacturers increasingly rely on specialized providers to meet stringent regulatory and quality standards.
- Regulatory compliance pressures: Tighter sterile packaging and validation requirements across medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors.
Together, these factors are reshaping sterilization into a strategic quality assurance function, not merely a compliance requirement.
Industry Developments: Facility Expansions Signal Global Capacity Growth
The market’s growth trajectory is further reinforced by ongoing facility expansions and regional diversification initiatives among leading sterilization providers:
- Medistri SA (Switzerland) expanded into Central Europe in January 2025, launching a new facility in Székesfehérvár, Hungary.
- Capacity: 15,000 pallets/year, with a 16-pallet chamber.
- Investment: USD 4.3 million (CHF 3.5 million).
- The ISO 13485-audited facility integrates in-house laboratory services, improving service reach and logistical efficiency across Europe.
- BGS Beta-Gamma-Service GmbH & Co. KG (Germany) entered the U.S. market in September 2024, establishing a 100,000 sq ft electron beam sterilization plant near Pittsburgh International Airport, Pennsylvania.
- Operated by BGS US LLC, the site is expected to be operational by mid-2025 and will feature fully automated e-beam irradiation capabilities tailored for high-volume medical device sterilization.
These strategic moves underscore the industry’s focus on regional expansion, automation, and technology modernization to support rising global demand.
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Market Leaders and Competitive Landscape
The sterilization services market is highly competitive, comprising a mix of multinational and regional players offering diverse sterilization modalities such as gamma, electron beam (E-beam), ethylene oxide (EtO), steam, X-ray, and low-temperature sterilization.
STERIS plc (Ireland / US) — Global Market Leader
STERIS maintains the top position in the global market due to its comprehensive sterilization portfolio and strong sterility assurance solutions.
Key highlights:
- Diverse modalities: Steam, EtO, E-beam, gamma, low-temperature sterilization
- Annual R&D investments: USD 98–107 million
- Strategic acquisitions: Including BD’s surgical and sterilization assets (2023)
- Robust international presence and service diversification
With strong financial stability and continuous innovation, STERIS sets the benchmark for technological leadership and operational excellence in sterilization services.
Sotera Health (US) — Second-Largest Global Player
Sotera Health, through its subsidiaries Sterigenics and Nordion, holds the second-largest global market share, generating USD 1.10 billion in revenues (2024).
Key advantages:
- Broad sterilization coverage across medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and food products
- Continued investment in E-beam and gamma technologies
- Expansion in Europe and North America, with strategic focus on emerging markets (Brazil, Mexico, India, Russia)
Despite geographic concentration, Sotera’s technology-driven portfolio and client diversification strengthen its global footprint.
Servizi Italia S.p.A. (Italy) — Regional Specialist with Strong Surgical Focus
Servizi Italia ranks third globally, supported by its strong presence in Italy, Brazil, and Turkey and specialization in surgical instrument sterilization.
- Reported USD 314.2 million in 2024 revenues, with 18.6% attributed to surgical instrument sterilization.
- Strategic moves include its 2024 merger with Ekolav S.r.l. and investments in Steritek for service diversification.
- Focused expansion into validation and high-margin services enhances profitability, despite competitive pressures in core markets.
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Regional Leadership
- Europe: Dominated by STERIS, Sotera Health, and Servizi Italia, with extensive service networks spanning sterilization, hygiene, and barrier solutions.
- North America: Home to major players like Sotera Health, STERIS, Cosmed Group, and Life Science Outsourcing, supported by strong regulatory infrastructure.
- Asia Pacific: Emerging as a high-growth region, driven by outsourcing trends, medical device manufacturing, and investment in healthcare infrastructure—notably in India and China.
Future Outlook: Automation, Sustainability, and Hybrid Modalities
The next wave of innovation in sterilization services will be defined by:
- Automation & robotics in sterilization logistics and process control.
- Adoption of hybrid sterilization modalities (e.g., X-ray and plasma).
- Sustainability initiatives, including EtO emission reduction and eco-friendly packaging validation.
- Expansion of validation, consulting, and re-sterilization services to support circular economy goals.
With growing regulatory scrutiny and rising demand for outsourced services, the global sterilization services market is expected to remain a critical enabler of safety, compliance, and supply chain resilience through 2030.
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