Cadaver pouches are used to store corpses in hospitals, mortuaries, and anatomy laboratories. The bags are designed to handle a very important function: preventing body fluid leaks from human remains during transportation. More importantly, the global cadaver bags market had increased significantly in size more so with the increase in COVID-19-related deaths globally.

Global sales of cadaver bags are currently around US$ 858 million. The market is likely to grow at a robust CAGR of 6.7% and reach US$ 1.1 billion by the end of 2026.

Demand Drivers

Contagious Infections: Increasing cases of contagious diseases have been driving demand for cadaver bags. Cadaver bags help in the safe handling and transportation of a deceased body; they reduce the chances of infections spreading from the body to people.

High Crime Rates: Increasing the crime rates mean it is inevitable for law enforcers and forensic investigators to turn to cadaver bags during their investigations. These bags become very instrumental in the preservation of evidence and sanitation.

Bad Weather Conditions: In cases of natural disasters such as flooding, hurricanes, or intense heat, there will be the need to store and transport bodies in proper ways. Cadaver bags protect them from outer elements.

Hunting Season and Animal Transport: Aside from human remains, cadaver bags are also used by hunters for the transport of animals. However, funeral supply companies remain the largest customers.

List of Key Companies Profiled in The Report

CEABIS
EIHF Isofroid
Mopec
Mortech Manufacturing
Peerless Plastics Mortuary
Roftek Ltd T/A Flexmort
Span Surgical Co.
Others

Regional Insights

Development in the healthcare sector, coupled with a rise in crime rates, is fueling the growth of the cadaver bags market. It is projected to value US$ 340 million in the U.S. by 2022, powered by the well-established healthcare infrastructure and rising demand for care services. On the contrary, recurring COVID-19 waves and a rise in chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and others, are fuelling the demand for cadaver bags in Italy. A well-organized infrastructural set-up in developed countries like Italy and the U.S. for healthcare opens demand for such basic supplies, thereby firmly growing the market.

Competitive Scenario

Key companies in the competitive cadaver bags market are engaged in strategic collaborations, mergers, and acquisitions to increase the product lines as well as manufacturing capacities. This would enable companies to stay ahead in the competition and involves heavy investments in research and development related to technological advancements.

One highly visible response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been multi-layered integrated post-mortem body bags designed for handling bodies with Biosafety Level 3 and 4 precautions. Indeed, such innovations have really underscored an industry reacting with flexibility in response to emergencies in public health by having safe handling of deceased persons under very challenging conditions.

A milestone occurred on August 19, 2020, when Mopec, one of the world's top suppliers for pathology, anatomy, necropsy, and mortuary equipment, rolled out its Safe View cadaver bag for immediate crisis response relating to COVID-19. The Safe View bag has an inner layer that allows the remains to be viewed while minimizing exposure risk for attending personnel. This, therefore, outrightly gives meaning to industries' commitments to better standards of safety while satisfying a critical need in healthcare during times of global health crises.

Because there is an increased demand for the cadaver bags, the manufacturers continue to look into the aspects of innovation, durability, and safety features in their produce. These bags form an important part of the roles of dignity and hygiene during handling and transportation of a human remains.

What is a Cadaver Bag Used for?

A cadaver bag, otherwise known as a mortuary bag or body bag, is a non-porous bag designed to store and move human remains. The purpose of the bag is to prevent leakage of body fluids and facilitate safe handling of corpses for medical, forensic, and burial purposes. They find application in hospitals, mortuaries, forensic investigations, and rescue squads dealing with pandemics, natural disasters, crime scenes, and such events.

Who are the key cadaver bag providers?

Some of the major manufacturers for cadaver bags include CLASSIC PLASTICS, Mopec, Auden Funeral Supplies Ltd., Smart Choice Funeral Supplies, and Deluxe Scientific Surgico Pvt. Ltd.