Global Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Overview (2026–2036)
Western Market Research estimates that the Global Hydroxyethyl Starch Market was valued at USD xxxx units in 2025 and is expected to reach USD xxxx units by 2036, growing at a CAGR of xx% during the forecast period from 2026 to 2036. Market performance is influenced by evolving clinical practices, demand for plasma volume expanders, and regulatory scrutiny surrounding synthetic colloid solutions.
Hydroxyethyl starch is a modified natural polymer derived from amylopectin and is primarily used as a plasma volume expander in clinical and surgical settings. It is valued for its ability to improve intravascular volume, stabilize hemodynamics, and support fluid resuscitation in controlled medical environments.
While usage in some regions has moderated due to safety concerns and regulatory guidance, demand persists in specific clinical indications, emerging healthcare markets, and research applications, supporting a stable long-term market outlook.
Market Description
The hydroxyethyl starch market comprises pharmaceutical-grade starch derivatives with controlled molecular weight and substitution ratios. These parameters directly influence pharmacokinetics, intravascular persistence, and safety profiles.
Key functional characteristics of hydroxyethyl starch include:
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Effective plasma volume expansion
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Predictable oncotic pressure behavior
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Controlled biodegradability
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Compatibility with intravenous administration
-
Customizable molecular composition
HES products are typically supplied as sterile solutions and are used under strict medical supervision. Continuous advancements in formulation chemistry and molecular engineering aim to enhance safety, reduce renal risk, and improve clinical outcomes.
Impact of COVID-19 on the Market
The COVID-19 pandemic had a moderate and short-term impact on the hydroxyethyl starch market. During peak pandemic periods, healthcare systems prioritized emergency care and critical treatments, temporarily affecting elective procedures where HES is commonly used.
Key pandemic-related impacts included:
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Reduced elective surgical procedures
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Shifts toward conservative fluid management protocols
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Supply chain disruptions affecting pharmaceutical distribution
However, the market demonstrated resilience due to:
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Ongoing need for critical care fluid management
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Increased hospital admissions and ICU utilization
-
Gradual normalization of surgical volumes post-pandemic
Post-COVID recovery has stabilized demand, particularly in regions with expanding healthcare infrastructure.
Market Segmentation
By Type
-
HES 130/0.4
-
Lower molecular weight and substitution degree
-
Improved safety and faster plasma clearance
-
Widely adopted in modern clinical protocols
-
-
HES 200/0.5
-
Higher molecular weight and longer intravascular persistence
-
Used in specific clinical and research settings
-
Gradually declining usage in regulated markets
-
-
Other
-
Includes customized or experimental formulations
-
Used in research and specialized therapeutic applications
-
By Application
-
Hospital
-
Largest application segment
-
Used in surgeries, trauma care, and critical care units
-
Demand driven by inpatient treatment volumes
-
-
Medical Center
-
Includes specialty clinics and surgical centers
-
Focus on controlled fluid resuscitation
-
Growing demand in emerging healthcare markets
-
-
Other
-
Includes research institutions and pharmaceutical development
-
Utilized for formulation testing and clinical studies
-
Regional Analysis
-
North America
-
Highly regulated market environment
-
Controlled and selective clinical usage
-
Strong emphasis on patient safety and compliance
-
-
Europe
-
Mature market with strict regulatory oversight
-
Gradual shift toward lower-risk formulations
-
Stable demand in approved indications
-
-
Asia-Pacific
-
Fastest-growing regional market
-
Expanding hospital infrastructure in China, India, and Southeast Asia
-
Increasing access to advanced medical treatments
-
-
South America
-
Moderate growth driven by healthcare system expansion
-
Rising adoption in surgical and trauma care
-
-
Middle East & Africa
-
Emerging demand supported by healthcare investments
-
Increasing use in tertiary care hospitals
-
Key Players – Competitive Landscape
The global hydroxyethyl starch market is moderately fragmented, with manufacturers competing on formulation quality, regulatory compliance, pricing, and supply reliability. Players focus on pharmaceutical-grade production and regional distribution strength.
Major Key Players
-
Skyrun Industrial
-
Hangzhou J&H Chemical
-
Hefei Hirisun Pharmatech
-
AK Scientific
-
Carbone Scientific
-
Kinbester
-
Leap Labchem
-
Chengdu Bojia Pharmaceutical
Competitive Strategies Observed
-
Focus on compliant pharmaceutical-grade production
-
Expansion into emerging healthcare markets
-
Optimization of molecular formulations for safety
-
Strengthening hospital and distributor partnerships
DROT Analysis
Drivers
-
Ongoing demand for plasma volume expanders
-
Expansion of hospital and surgical infrastructure
-
Technological improvements in formulation safety
Restraints
-
Regulatory restrictions in certain regions
-
Safety concerns related to renal and coagulation effects
-
Competition from alternative volume expanders
Opportunities
-
Growth in emerging healthcare markets
-
Development of next-generation low-risk HES formulations
-
Expansion of clinical research applications
Trends
-
Shift toward lower molecular weight HES products
-
Increased regulatory oversight and clinical monitoring
-
Emphasis on evidence-based fluid management
Value Chain Analysis
-
Raw Material Sourcing
-
Native starch and chemical modifying agents
-
-
Chemical Modification
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Hydroxyethylation and molecular weight control
-
-
Pharmaceutical Processing
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Sterilization, formulation, and quality testing
-
-
Packaging
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Sterile medical-grade packaging
-
-
Distribution
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Hospitals, medical centers, and pharmaceutical distributors
-
-
End Users
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Healthcare providers and research institutions
-
Value creation is driven by product consistency, regulatory compliance, and reliable supply logistics.
Market Outlook (2026–2036)
The global hydroxyethyl starch market is expected to witness stable and selective growth over the forecast period. While usage in some developed regions may remain controlled, expanding healthcare access and surgical volumes in Asia-Pacific, South America, and parts of the Middle East will support market demand.
Future growth will depend on:
-
Continued innovation in safer formulations
-
Clear regulatory positioning and clinical guidelines
-
Expansion of hospital infrastructure in emerging economies
Overall, hydroxyethyl starch will remain a specialized yet essential medical polymer, supporting controlled plasma volume expansion and advancing fluid management practices in global healthcare systems.
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1. Market Overview of Hydroxyethyl Starch
1.1 Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Overview
1.1.1 Hydroxyethyl Starch Product Scope
1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook
1.2 Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size by Regions:
1.3 Hydroxyethyl Starch Historic Market Size by Regions
1.4 Hydroxyethyl Starch Forecasted Market Size by Regions
1.5 Covid-19 Impact on Key Regions, Keyword Market Size YoY Growth
1.5.1 North America
1.5.2 East Asia
1.5.3 Europe
1.5.4 South Asia
1.5.5 Southeast Asia
1.5.6 Middle East
1.5.7 Africa
1.5.8 Oceania
1.5.9 South America
1.5.10 Rest of the World
1.6 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Impact Will Have a Severe Impact on Global Growth
1.6.1 Covid-19 Impact: Global GDP Growth, 2019, 2020 and 2021 Projections
1.6.2 Covid-19 Impact: Commodity Prices Indices
1.6.3 Covid-19 Impact: Global Major Government Policy
2. Covid-19 Impact Hydroxyethyl Starch Sales Market by Type
2.1 Global Hydroxyethyl Starch Historic Market Size by Type
2.2 Global Hydroxyethyl Starch Forecasted Market Size by Type
2.3 HES 130/0.4
2.4 HES 200/0.5
2.5 Other
3. Covid-19 Impact Hydroxyethyl Starch Sales Market by Application
3.1 Global Hydroxyethyl Starch Historic Market Size by Application
3.2 Global Hydroxyethyl Starch Forecasted Market Size by Application
3.3 Hospital
3.4 Medical Center
3.5 Other
4. Covid-19 Impact Market Competition by Manufacturers
4.1 Global Hydroxyethyl Starch Production Capacity Market Share by Manufacturers
4.2 Global Hydroxyethyl Starch Revenue Market Share by Manufacturers
4.3 Global Hydroxyethyl Starch Average Price by Manufacturers
5. Company Profiles and Key Figures in Hydroxyethyl Starch Business
5.1 Skyrun Industrial
5.1.1 Skyrun Industrial Company Profile
5.1.2 Skyrun Industrial Hydroxyethyl Starch Product Specification
5.1.3 Skyrun Industrial Hydroxyethyl Starch Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.2 Hangzhou J&H Chemical
5.2.1 Hangzhou J&H Chemical Company Profile
5.2.2 Hangzhou J&H Chemical Hydroxyethyl Starch Product Specification
5.2.3 Hangzhou J&H Chemical Hydroxyethyl Starch Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.3 Hefei Hirisun Pharmatech
5.3.1 Hefei Hirisun Pharmatech Company Profile
5.3.2 Hefei Hirisun Pharmatech Hydroxyethyl Starch Product Specification
5.3.3 Hefei Hirisun Pharmatech Hydroxyethyl Starch Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.4 AK Scientific
5.4.1 AK Scientific Company Profile
5.4.2 AK Scientific Hydroxyethyl Starch Product Specification
5.4.3 AK Scientific Hydroxyethyl Starch Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.5 Carbone Scientific
5.5.1 Carbone Scientific Company Profile
5.5.2 Carbone Scientific Hydroxyethyl Starch Product Specification
5.5.3 Carbone Scientific Hydroxyethyl Starch Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.6 Kinbester
5.6.1 Kinbester Company Profile
5.6.2 Kinbester Hydroxyethyl Starch Product Specification
5.6.3 Kinbester Hydroxyethyl Starch Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.7 Leap Labchem
5.7.1 Leap Labchem Company Profile
5.7.2 Leap Labchem Hydroxyethyl Starch Product Specification
5.7.3 Leap Labchem Hydroxyethyl Starch Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.8 Chengdu Bojia Pharmaceutical
5.8.1 Chengdu Bojia Pharmaceutical Company Profile
5.8.2 Chengdu Bojia Pharmaceutical Hydroxyethyl Starch Product Specification
5.8.3 Chengdu Bojia Pharmaceutical Hydroxyethyl Starch Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
6. North America
6.1 North America Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size
6.2 North America Hydroxyethyl Starch Key Players in North America
6.3 North America Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size by Type
6.4 North America Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size by Application
7. East Asia
7.1 East Asia Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size
7.2 East Asia Hydroxyethyl Starch Key Players in North America
7.3 East Asia Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size by Type
7.4 East Asia Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size by Application
8. Europe
8.1 Europe Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size
8.2 Europe Hydroxyethyl Starch Key Players in North America
8.3 Europe Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size by Type
8.4 Europe Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size by Application
9. South Asia
9.1 South Asia Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size
9.2 South Asia Hydroxyethyl Starch Key Players in North America
9.3 South Asia Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size by Type
9.4 South Asia Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size by Application
10. Southeast Asia
10.1 Southeast Asia Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size
10.2 Southeast Asia Hydroxyethyl Starch Key Players in North America
10.3 Southeast Asia Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size by Type
10.4 Southeast Asia Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size by Application
11. Middle East
11.1 Middle East Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size
11.2 Middle East Hydroxyethyl Starch Key Players in North America
11.3 Middle East Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size by Type
11.4 Middle East Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size by Application
12. Africa
12.1 Africa Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size
12.2 Africa Hydroxyethyl Starch Key Players in North America
12.3 Africa Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size by Type
12.4 Africa Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size by Application
13. Oceania
13.1 Oceania Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size
13.2 Oceania Hydroxyethyl Starch Key Players in North America
13.3 Oceania Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size by Type
13.4 Oceania Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size by Application
14. South America
14.1 South America Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size
14.2 South America Hydroxyethyl Starch Key Players in North America
14.3 South America Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size by Type
14.4 South America Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size by Application
15. Rest of the World
15.1 Rest of the World Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size
15.2 Rest of the World Hydroxyethyl Starch Key Players in North America
15.3 Rest of the World Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size by Type
15.4 Rest of the World Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Size by Application
16 Hydroxyethyl Starch Market Dynamics
16.1 Covid-19 Impact Market Top Trends
16.2 Covid-19 Impact Market Drivers
16.3 Covid-19 Impact Market Challenges
16.4 Porter
Market Segmentation
By Type
-
HES 130/0.4
-
Lower molecular weight and substitution degree
-
Improved safety and faster plasma clearance
-
Widely adopted in modern clinical protocols
-
-
HES 200/0.5
-
Higher molecular weight and longer intravascular persistence
-
Used in specific clinical and research settings
-
Gradually declining usage in regulated markets
-
-
Other
-
Includes customized or experimental formulations
-
Used in research and specialized therapeutic applications
-
By Application
-
Hospital
-
Largest application segment
-
Used in surgeries, trauma care, and critical care units
-
Demand driven by inpatient treatment volumes
-
-
Medical Center
-
Includes specialty clinics and surgical centers
-
Focus on controlled fluid resuscitation
-
Growing demand in emerging healthcare markets
-
-
Other
-
Includes research institutions and pharmaceutical development
-
Utilized for formulation testing and clinical studies
-
Regional Analysis
-
North America
-
Highly regulated market environment
-
Controlled and selective clinical usage
-
Strong emphasis on patient safety and compliance
-
-
Europe
-
Mature market with strict regulatory oversight
-
Gradual shift toward lower-risk formulations
-
Stable demand in approved indications
-
-
Asia-Pacific
-
Fastest-growing regional market
-
Expanding hospital infrastructure in China, India, and Southeast Asia
-
Increasing access to advanced medical treatments
-
-
South America
-
Moderate growth driven by healthcare system expansion
-
Rising adoption in surgical and trauma care
-
-
Middle East & Africa
-
Emerging demand supported by healthcare investments
-
Increasing use in tertiary care hospitals
-
Key Players – Competitive Landscape
The global hydroxyethyl starch market is moderately fragmented, with manufacturers competing on formulation quality, regulatory compliance, pricing, and supply reliability. Players focus on pharmaceutical-grade production and regional distribution strength.
Major Key Players
-
Skyrun Industrial
-
Hangzhou J&H Chemical
-
Hefei Hirisun Pharmatech
-
AK Scientific
-
Carbone Scientific
-
Kinbester
-
Leap Labchem
-
Chengdu Bojia Pharmaceutical
Competitive Strategies Observed
-
Focus on compliant pharmaceutical-grade production
-
Expansion into emerging healthcare markets
-
Optimization of molecular formulations for safety
-
Strengthening hospital and distributor partnerships
