LONDON, June 27 /PRNewswire/ --     The European surgical drapes, gowns and gloves markets are moving slowly
toward maturity and are dominated by few large market participants. The
growth rates for the market are modest, yet steady. The increase in
nosocomial infections in parallel with the rise in surgical procedures
ensures that there is always need for surgical drapes, gowns and gloves.

In addition to this, the major factor driving market growth is the
medical directive EN 13795, which has set high standards of quality for
surgical drapes and gowns. More often than not, these standards are met only
by the disposable drapes and gowns market. As a result, the conversion to
disposable surgical drapes and gowns is likely to gain momentum. On the other
hand, the surgical gloves market has reached saturation in the powder-free
segment and is expected to see conversion to synthetic alternatives.

Frost & Sullivan (http://www.medicaldevices.frost.com) finds that the
Surgical Drapes, Gowns and Gloves Markets in Europe earned revenues of $751.6
million in 2006 and estimates this to reach $1.9 billion in 2013.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides
manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview of
the latest analysis of the Surgical Drapes, Gowns and Gloves Markets in
Europe, send an e-mail to Radhika Menon Theodore - Corporate Communications
at rmtheodore@frost.com with your full name, company name, title, telephone
number, e-mail address, city, state, and country. We will send you the
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"The prohibitive costs associated with nosocomial infections, both
monetarily and physically, have placed enormous emphasis on the usage of
surgical drapes, gowns and gloves during surgical procedures," notes Frost &
Sullivan Research Analyst Ms. Sabita Ramachandran. "With an expected increase
in surgical procedures, the consumption of surgical drapes, gowns and gloves
is set to grow accordingly."

Cost-cutting measures are being undertaken in order to accommodate
deficits in healthcare budgets. This is resulting in a decline in prices,
thereby creating enormous pricing pressure for market participants. In
response to this challenge, market participants are increasingly looking to
cut costs to ensure that the cost-cutting measures undertaken by healthcare
agencies are incorporated.

"With challenges such as price erosion, consolidation and the search for
cost-effective solutions, the markets are reaching a stage of saturation,"
explains Ms. Ramachandran. "The decline in prices means that the profit
margins of participants are limited and this is affecting R&D investments,
which are crucial for maturing markets such as the European surgical drapes,
gowns and gloves markets."

Market participants will need to acquire or form alliances with companies
that can help them broaden their product portfolio, rather than increase
their market share. By expanding their product portfolio, companies will be
able to participate in multi-product tenders, which help to reduce costs and
provide multi-modal healthcare solutions.

Surgical Drapes, Gowns and Gloves Markets in Europe is part of the
Medical Devices Subscription, which also includes research in the following
markets: surgical drapes, surgical gowns and surgical gloves. All research
included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry
trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market
participants. Interviews with the press are available.

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering
with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more
than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting,
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and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele
that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment
community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique
global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies,
econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit
http://www.frost.com.

Contact:

    Radhika Menon Theodore
    Corporate Communications - Europe
    P: +91-44-4204-4541
    F: +91-44-2431-4264
    E: rmtheodore@frost.com

    Melina Trevino
    Corporate Communications - North & Latin America
    P: +1-210-247-2440
    F: +1-210-348-1003
    E: melina.trevino@frost.com

    Jasminder Kaur
    Corporate Communications - Asia Pacific
    P: +65-6890-0937
    F: +65-6890-0988
    E: jkaur@frost.com

    Shwetha Thomas
    Corporate Communications - South Asia & Middle East
    P: +91-22-4001-3429
    F: +91-22-2832-4713
    E: sthomas@frost.com

    Danielle White
    Corporate Communications - China
    P: +1-210-247-2403
    F: +1-210-348-1003
    E: dwhite@frost.com

    Sharmin Jassal
    Corporate Communications - Australia & New Zealand
    P: +61-2-8247-8900
    F: +61-2-9252-8066
    E: sharmin.jassal@frost.com

    Patrick Cairns
    Corporate Communications - Africa
    P: +27-21-680-3274
    F: +27-21-680-3296
    E: patrick.cairns@frost.com

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