Enteral route of access refers to transfer of nutritional fluids and other nutrients by means of tubes directly into the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract. Enteral food products contain the balance of all the necessary nutrients say, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals given directly into the stomach or intestine. The market of enteral food and devices has seen a significant rise owing to increasing technological advancements and ease of feeding provided by portable pumps. With the rapid improvement of healthcare facilities, this industry is expected to flourish in the forecast years as well. 

The rising prevalence of chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, gastrointestinal disorders and other diseases which elevate the demand for intensive care has significantly contributed to the market share. According to International Diabetes Federation, approximately 463 million adults in 2019 were having diabetes; this number is expected to rise to nearly 700 million by 2045. Also, rise in number of preterm births has extended the market size. In the United States, preterm birth effected one in every ten infants in the year 2019. Moreover, as per Age UK 2019 data, the UK has an ageing population of nearly 12 million with age of more than 65 years. Elderly people are at risk of developing swallowing problems, thus this population pool contribute a lot to drive the market ahead.

How things stand in the market?

The global enteral food and device market is rising with advancements and investments in healthcare infrastructure. This aimed to improve the quality of life of patients dealing with several chronic diseases. Another factor supporting market growth is the rapid spread of awareness of enteral products. Also, improvement in health-related facilities of the emerging economies propel the market to grow substantially during the forecast period as well. The market can be segmented on the basis of following segments.

By Device Type 

• Enteral Feeding Pumps
• Enteral Feeding Tubes
  • Nasogastric
  • Orogastric
  • Nasoenteric
  • Oroenteric
  • Gastrostomy
  • Jejunostomy
• Administration Sets
• Enteral Syringes
• Other Consumables

By Food Form 

• Diskettes
• Liquid
• Powder

By Flow type

• Intermittent Feeding
• Continuous Feeding

By Age Group

• Below 15 years
• 15-30 years
• 40-45 years
• 45-60 years
• Above 60 years

By Application

• Oncology
• Gastroenterology
• Neurology
• Diabetes
• Hypermetabolism
• Others

By End-user 

• Hospital
• Homecare Setting
• Ambulatory Care Settings

The aforementioned drivers along with surge in patients of malnutrition results in the generation of hefty revenues in the market. According to investigations and analysis, nearly 40% of hospital beds are occupied by malnutrition patients which has considerably increased the morbidity and mortality rate. Thus, enteral feeding is the preferred option to fulfill the requirement nutrients in malnourished and other patients who cannot take nutrients orally. However, high costs associated with the method adds on to budget challenges. Also, the stringent regulations and errors in feeding somewhat hampers the growth of market.

Enteral feeding tubes hold the maximum share among the various types of devices owing to rising adoption of enteral feeding. An international working group of enteral feeding tube, the Global Enteral Device Supplier Association (GEDSA) has launched novel enteral connectors known as EnFit, these are developed as per the new ISO standards. By food from, liquids are preferred as they can be easily administered via tubes. Continuous feeding is preferred over intermittent as it possess several clinical advantages and thus, have more share in the market. The elderly age group is most likely to dominate the market in forecast period. This can be attributed to the rising incidence of chronic diseases in the geriatric population.

Based on applications, oncology accounted for the largest share of the enteral feeding market in 2019 and is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. The surge in the prevalence of cancer may result in the higher adoption of enteral feeding devices to fulfil nutritional requirements of cancer patients. The enteral devices are user friendly and portable. Thus, among all the end users, home care settings have maximum share in the market. Also, there are numerous reimbursement policies associated with home enteral nutrition products.

The leading contributor to the revenues of global enteral food and device market is Europe. This can be attributed to the comparatively easier approval process of feeding devices along with great adoption rate of enteral feeding practice. However, Asia Pacific with elevating cases of chronic disorder and large geriatric population along with surge in healthcare expenditure is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the study period.

Competitive Landscape

Developing a prominent product in healthcare sector and made it acceptable in the market is a challenge for the market player. This requires the minimal chances of uncertainty and maximum life expectancy which can help this industry to flourish. Several key players are indulged in the development of innovative enteral feeding products including Boston Scientific Corporation, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Moog Inc., Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA, Danone, Cook Medical, Inc., Owens & Minor, Inc., Cardinal Health Inc., B. Braun Melsungen AG, and Nestlé S.A.

• B. Braun Melsungen AG has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration in 2020 for the SpaceStation MRI to use Space infusion pumps for the continuous delivery of medications to patients within the MRI suite.
• B. Braun integrated the smart pumps with STANLEY Healthcare at Saratoga Hospital in 2019. B.Braun’s DoseTrac Infusion Management Software communicates with STANLEY Healthcare’s MobileView software platform in order to provide access to real-time pump status data.
• Fresenius Kabi accomplished the extension of its plant in Aquiraz, Brazil, and increased the facility’s capacity for parental nutrition production by about 30% in the year 2019.
• In 2018, Fresenius Kabi invested nearly US$ 11 million for the expansion of its production facility in the UK to meet the increasing demand from the home care settings of the country.