Plasma Expander Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Product Type (Dextran, Hydroxyethyl Starch, Human Albumin, PEGylated Albumin, Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), Gelatin), By End User (Online Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, Hospital Pharmacies), By Region and Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 8.25 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	12.71%
Fastest Growing Segment	Hydroxyethyl Starch
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 16.91 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Plasma Expander Market will grow from USD 8.25 Billion in 2025 to USD 16.91 Billion by 2031 at a 12.71% CAGR. Plasma expanders are specialized intravenous solutions, comprising colloids and crystalloids, designed to restore circulating blood volume and maintain oncotic pressure in patients suffering from hypovolemic shock, trauma, or burns. The primary drivers propelling this market include the critical necessity for fluid resuscitation in emergency medicine and the rising volume of major surgical interventions globally, which require precise hemodynamic stabilization. This demand is substantiated by recent procedural statistics; according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in 2025, data indicated that over 17.4 million surgical procedures were performed worldwide during the preceding year, creating a sustained requirement for effective perioperative volume replacement therapies.

However, market expansion is significantly challenged by safety concerns regarding the adverse physiological effects of certain synthetic colloids. Regulatory bodies have issued restrictive guidelines and warnings due to the association of hydroxyethyl starches with risks such as renal impairment and coagulopathy. These clinical risks have led to a cautious approach among healthcare providers, who may substitute synthetic options with crystalloids or human albumin. This regulatory pressure, combined with the stringent pharmacovigilance required for these products, acts as a substantial impediment to the broader adoption and growth of the synthetic plasma expander segment.

Key Market Drivers

The rising incidence of traumatic injuries and road accidents constitutes a primary catalyst for the growth of the Global Plasma Expander Market. High-impact collisions and severe physical trauma necessitate immediate fluid resuscitation to manage hypovolemic shock and restore intravascular volume effectively. Plasma expanders play a vital role in these emergency settings by maintaining hemodynamic stability and tissue perfusion until blood products become available or the patient stabilizes. This urgent clinical requirement is highlighted by recent accident statistics which correlate with the demand for emergency critical care solutions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, April 2024, in the 'Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities in 2023', an estimated 40,990 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in the United States alone, underscoring the persistent need for trauma-related volume replacement therapies.

Concurrently, the increasing prevalence of chronic cardiovascular disorders is significantly driving the demand for specialized volume replacement therapies. Patients with compromised cardiac function often undergo complex surgeries or require careful fluid management where synthetic expanders or human albumin are utilized to maintain oncotic pressure without overloading the circulatory system. The burden of these conditions continues to escalate, necessitating frequent medical interventions and perioperative support. According to the American Heart Association, January 2024, in the 'Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2024 Update', nearly 48.6 percent of adults in the United States have some form of cardiovascular disease. This prevalence fuels the consumption of plasma derivatives and substitutes in surgical wards to manage patient fluid balance. Furthermore, major industry players are witnessing sustained financial growth due to these clinical demands; according to CSL Limited, in 2024, the company reported total revenue of 14.8 billion USD, reflecting strong performance in their albumin and critical care portfolios.

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Key Market Challenges

The primary challenging factor hindering the growth of the Global Plasma Expander Market is the significant safety concern regarding the adverse physiological effects of synthetic colloids, specifically hydroxyethyl starches. Regulatory bodies have identified serious clinical risks, including renal impairment and coagulopathy, associated with these products. Consequently, strict guidelines and black box warnings have been issued, compelling healthcare providers to adopt a cautious prescribing approach. This regulatory pressure hampers market growth by driving a shift in clinical preference towards crystalloids or human albumin, thereby reducing the commercial adoption of higher-margin synthetic expanders in critical care settings.

The impact of these safety restrictions is particularly detrimental given the high volume of patients in segments where these products are now contraindicated, such as burn management. According to the American Burn Association, in 2024, the organization reported that annual national hospital burn admissions reached 29,165. Although this patient population represents a critical demographic requiring extensive fluid resuscitation, the prohibition of synthetic colloids for burn injuries due to kidney toxicity risks effectively eliminates this demand from the addressable market. This exclusion of a key patient segment directly limits the revenue potential and expansion of the synthetic plasma expander sector.

Key Market Trends

Innovation in shelf-stable and portable formulations for military combat care is transforming the market by addressing the logistical limitations of traditional frozen plasma. Standard plasma requires stringent cold-chain maintenance, making it difficult to deploy in battlefield environments where immediate fluid resuscitation is critical. Manufacturers are therefore accelerating the development of freeze-dried and spray-dried products capable of rapid reconstitution at the point of injury, effectively bypassing the need for refrigeration. This technical progress is highlighted by recent clinical milestones; according to Velico Medical, August 2025, in the 'FrontlineODP Spray Dried Plasma Achieves Key Milestone' announcement, the company successfully completed its first-in-human Phase I clinical trial for its spray-dried plasma system, demonstrating safety for deployment in austere military settings.

The strategic vertical integration of plasma collection networks to secure supply has become a decisive trend as fractionators prioritize raw material self-sufficiency. Companies are optimizing donor center operations and implementing technologies to enhance yield, ensuring a consistent stream of plasma for high-demand derivatives. This focus on supply chain control mitigates shortages and directly supports commercial expansion by stabilizing production costs. According to Grifols, February 2025, in the 'Full Year 2024 Results' report, the company's Biopharma division achieved a revenue growth of 11.3 percent at constant currency, a performance attributed to the successful execution of plasma supply improvements and cost-per-liter reductions across its global network.

Segmental Insights

Based on current market analysis, Hydroxyethyl Starch represents the fastest-growing segment within the Global Plasma Expander Market. This expansion is primarily attributed to its favorable cost-benefit profile and logistical superiority compared to human albumin. As a synthetic colloid, Hydroxyethyl Starch eliminates the risk of viral transmission inherent in blood-derived products and offers extended shelf-life stability, which is essential for emergency medical stockpiling. These distinct economic and operational advantages have accelerated its adoption in trauma centers and surgical units globally, where rapid volume resuscitation and effective hemodynamic stabilization are critical for patient safety.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the global plasma expander market, driven primarily by the high incidence of trauma cases and road accidents that necessitate immediate volume replacement therapies. The region benefits from established healthcare infrastructure which supports a high volume of surgical procedures requiring effective blood management solutions. Furthermore, the market is sustained by favorable regulatory frameworks provided by agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, ensuring the steady availability of approved products. This combination of clinical demand and regulatory support solidifies the market dominance of North America.

Recent Developments

• In November 2025, CSL revealed plans to invest approximately $1.5 billion over a five-year period to expand its manufacturing operations in the United States. This capital project focused on increasing the production capacity for plasma-derived therapies to meet the growing clinical need for products like immunoglobulins and albumin. The company stated that the investment would strengthen the resilience of the domestic medicine supply chain and create hundreds of new jobs. By scaling up its onshore fractionation capabilities, CSL aimed to secure the long-term availability of vital plasma expanders and other therapeutics for the healthcare market.
• In February 2025, Octapharma announced its role as the sole fractionator for the United Kingdom’s plasma for medicines programme, a collaboration with the National Health Service. Under this agreement, the company began processing plasma collected from UK donors to manufacture specific therapeutic proteins, including albumin, for domestic use. This partnership was established to bolster the country's self-sufficiency in plasma-derived medicines and reduce reliance on imported supplies. The company utilized its European manufacturing network to convert the collected plasma into finished treatments, ensuring a consistent availability of these volume-expanding agents for patients.
• In December 2024, Grifols reported topline results from its Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating the long-term administration of its human albumin solution in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and ascites. While the study did not meet its primary endpoint regarding transplant-free survival, the data indicated improvements in secondary outcomes, such as a reduction in disease-related complications and improved survival rates at three months when combined with standard medical care. The company emphasized that these findings supported the therapeutic value of albumin beyond its traditional role as a plasma volume expander for restoring circulatory stability.
• In June 2024, Takeda announced a strategic investment of $230 million to expand its plasma-derived therapies production capacity at its manufacturing site in Los Angeles. This initiative involved repurposing an existing facility to house a new fractionation line, aiming to increase the site’s capacity by approximately 2 million liters annually. The expansion was designed to address the rising global demand for essential plasma proteins, including albumin, which serves as a critical plasma volume expander in medical treatments. By enhancing its infrastructure, the company sought to ensure a reliable supply chain for patients with rare and chronic diseases.

Key Market Players

• Baxter International Inc.
• Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
• CSL Limited
• Grifols, S.A.
• B. Braun Melsungen AG
• Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC
• Octapharma AG
• Kedrion S.p.A.
• Shanghai RAAS Blood Products Co., Ltd.
• Terumo Corporation

By Product Type	By End User	By Region
Dextran Hydroxyethyl Starch Human Albumin PEGylated Albumin Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) Gelatin	Online Pharmacies Retail Pharmacies Hospital Pharmacies	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Plasma Expander Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Plasma Expander Market , By Product Type:

• Dextran
• Hydroxyethyl Starch
• Human Albumin
• PEGylated Albumin
• Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)
• Gelatin

• Plasma Expander Market , By End User:

• Online Pharmacies
• Retail Pharmacies
• Hospital Pharmacies

• Plasma Expander Market , By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE