Medical Lifting Slings Market Size and Share
Market Overview
| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 2.27 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 3.13 Billion |
| Growth Rate (2025 - 2030) | 6.61% CAGR |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
| Largest Market | North America |
| Market Concentration | Medium |
Major Players*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. |
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Medical Lifting Slings Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The medical lifting sling market is valued at USD 2.27 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 3.13 billion by 2030, registering a 6.61% CAGR through the forecast period. Demand stems from aging demographics, rising chronic disease incidence, and workplace safety mandates that push healthcare providers toward mechanized patient-handling solutions. Hospitals continue replacing manual transfers to limit musculoskeletal injuries and meet OSHA and FDA standards, while smart sling innovations and antimicrobial fabrics widen functional appeal. Heightened labor shortages also accelerate technology adoption, with the United States alone set to add 2.1 million healthcare jobs by 2032. Finally, reimbursement improvements for durable medical equipment (DME) boost patient access, especially in home and long-term care settings.
Key Report Takeaways
- By product type, seating and full-body slings led with 37.35% revenue share in 2024; bariatric and bari-plus models are forecast to expand at an 11.25% CAGR to 2030.
- By material, polyester accounted for 68.53% of the medical lifting sling market share in 2024, while technical textiles incorporating antimicrobials are advancing at a 10.85% CAGR through 2030.
- By usage type, reusable formats commanded 63.62% of the medical lifting sling market size in 2024; disposable variants are growing at a 9.52% CAGR to 2030.
- By end user, hospitals and surgical centers held 56.82% share of the medical lifting sling market in 2024, whereas home-care and long-term care settings record an 11.61% CAGR through 2030.
- By geography, North America captured 34.82% of the medical lifting sling market size in 2024; Asia-Pacific registers the fastest 11.82% CAGR between 2025-2030.
Global Medical Lifting Slings Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapidly Ageing Population & Chronic Lifestyle Diseases | +1.2% | Global, with concentration in North America & Europe | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Shift To Home-Healthcare & Long-Term Care Settings | +0.8% | North America & EU, expanding to APAC | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Stricter Safe-Patient-Handling Regulations In Hospitals | +0.9% | Global, led by developed markets | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Reimbursement Expansion For Durable Medical Equipment | +1.1% | North America, selective EU markets | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Rental / Subscription Models Unlocking SMB Adoption | +0.7% | Global, with early adoption in North America | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Source: Mordor Intelligence
Rapidly Ageing Population & Chronic Lifestyle Diseases
Across developed economies, older adults and patients with diabetes or cardiovascular disease require frequent assisted transfers, driving sustained demand for the medical lifting sling market. Mechanical slings reduce caregiver injuries and elevate patient safety, particularly in long-term care environments where bariatric and complex positioning needs are common.
Shift to Home-Healthcare & Long-Term Care Settings
Medicare’s 2025 home health payment update raises reimbursements 2.7% and obliges agencies to assess mobility-care capacity before accepting referrals, stimulating purchases of compact, caregiver-friendly devices[1]Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, “CY 2025 Home Health Prospective Payment System Rate Update,” federalregister.gov. The medical lifting sling market responds with portable frames and intuitive sling designs suited for non-professional users.
Stricter Safe-Patient-Handling Regulations in Hospitals
NIOSH and OSHA guidelines have evolved into enforceable requirements, compelling facilities to install certified lifting systems for transfers above set weight thresholds[2]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “About Safe Patient Handling and Mobility,” cdc.gov. Compliance fuels equipment replacement cycles and spurs demand for slings meeting FDA low-transfer-height standards.
Reimbursement Expansion for Durable Medical Equipment
New HCPCS codes for powered patient-handling aids classify many sling systems as medically necessary, widening insurance coverage and supporting steady growth in the medical lifting sling market.
Restraints Impact Analysis
| Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Upfront Cost & Limited Staff Training | -0.6% | Global, more pronounced in emerging markets | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Patient Discomfort & Cultural Reluctance | -0.4% | Global, varying by cultural context | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Infection-Control Mandates Favouring Single-Use Slings | -0.3% | Global, led by developed healthcare systems | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Source: Mordor Intelligence
High Upfront Cost & Limited Staff Training
Sling systems demand capital expenditure and ongoing education; under-trained staff often underuse installed devices, limiting near-term uptake despite long-run safety payoffs.
Patient Discomfort & Cultural Reluctance
Perceptions of dignity and independence influence acceptance, especially in home settings where familial preferences steer equipment choice, tempering broader adoption of the medical lifting sling market in certain regions.
Segment Analysis
By Product: Bariatric Solutions Drive Specialized Growth
Seating and full-body products held 37.35% of 2024 revenue due to versatility across departments, yet bariatric and bari-plus models are climbing at an 11.25% CAGR as obesity prevalence rises. The medical lifting sling market size for bariatric solutions is forecast to expand swiftly because patients exceeding 180 kg require reinforced fabrics and wider geometry. Standing and universal U-shape variants satisfy rehabilitation centers, whereas transfer sheets enhance lateral moves in ICUs. Pediatric and specialty slings occupy niche volume but enjoy stable demand from children’s hospitals.
The product mix exemplifies tailored care: facilities match sling characteristics to body habitus, medical condition, and transfer scenario. Suppliers differentiate through ergonomic padding, pressure-distribution fabrics, and modular loop-strap systems. Smart sensors integrated into certain bariatric devices capture usage metrics, easing audits for safe-patient-handling compliance and deepening data-driven purchasing within the medical lifting sling market.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By Material: Technical Textiles Gain Antimicrobial Edge
Polyester contributes 68.53% share because of durability and wash-fastness, anchoring cost-efficient fleet management in large hospitals. Antimicrobial technical fabrics register a 10.85% CAGR as silver-ion or copper-fiber treatments deliver ≥99% bacterial log-kill without compromising breathability[3]Qiang Gao et al., “Silver Ion-Chelated Waterborne Polyurethane Based Antibacterial Cotton Fabric,” Coatings, mdpi.com. Mesh and spacer fabrics improve airflow to protect fragile skin, while nylon reinforces bariatric weight loads. Quilted blends provide comfort during extended immobilization. Environmental targets push suppliers to develop recyclable composites, although price premiums restrain near-term conversion outside high-infection-risk units.
Technical advances support infection-control savings: fewer laundering cycles and shorter turnaround times translate to operational efficiencies, strengthening hospital value propositions within the broader medical lifting sling market.
By Usage Type: Disposable Adoption Accelerates
Reusable slings continue to account for 63.62% of units in 2024, favored by high-throughput hospitals with on-site laundries. Still, infection-prevention strategies raise disposable uptake at a 9.52% CAGR, especially in oncology, transplant, and isolation wards. Guidance on reprocessed single-use devices complicates reuse, nudging administrators toward single-patient options. Consequently, procurement teams increasingly weigh contamination risk, laundering cost, and sustainability targets when determining sling mix, fostering segmentation sophistication inside the medical lifting sling market.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By End User: Home Care Expansion Reshapes Demand
Hospitals and surgical centers presently hold 56.82% revenue share yet face flat population growth. Conversely, home-health and long-term care facilities grow 11.61% annually, boosted by Medicare policy shifts, aging-in-place preferences, and workforce shortages in institutional care. Manufacturers respond with space-saving mobile lifts and intuitive slings operable by family caregivers, widening the addressable medical lifting sling market.
Geography Analysis
North America generates 34.82% of global revenue. Mature reimbursement, strict OSHA enforcement, and a growing senior population sustain equipment renewal cycles. Canada’s public health insurers fund ceiling lifts in long-term care, while Mexico accelerates DME procurement under universal coverage initiatives. Regulatory updates mandating 17-inch low transfer heights spur design upgrades, bolstering the region’s contribution to the medical lifting sling market.
Asia-Pacific achieves the fastest 11.82% CAGR as China, Japan, and India upscale hospital infrastructure and adopt Western safe-handling standards. Demographic aging collides with smaller family units, increasing institutional-care reliance and fueling purchases of modern lifting slings. Local producers emphasize cost-effective polyester and nylon blends, yet premium imported antimicrobial fabrics are winning share in top-tier urban hospitals, enlarging the medical lifting sling market footprint.
Europe maintains moderate growth. Universal healthcare and EU worker-safety directives keep baseline demand stable, while Eastern European modernization adds incremental volume. Brexit prompts U.K. providers to re-validate CE-marked devices, creating short-term uncertainty yet medium-term opportunities for agile suppliers. Population aging and rising bariatric admissions underpin steady needs across the medical lifting sling market.
Competitive Landscape
The sector remains moderately fragmented. Global leaders ARJO, Hillrom Services (Baxter), and Invacare leverage integrated platforms, training programs, and service contracts to protect share. Niche innovators such as Silvalea (acquired by Savaria) specialize in custom slings spanning 800 designs, reinforcing customer lock-in for complex cases. Product roadmaps emphasize smart textiles with RFID tracking, antimicrobial coatings, and sensor-enabled load monitoring that streamline audits.
Strategic activity intensifies. StarFish Medical’s 2024 acquisition of Omnica adds design resources for single-use and surgical slings, while RoundTable’s 2025 investment in EHOB broadens pressure-injury prevention portfolios. Suppliers also pilot subscription and equity-rental schemes targeting mid-sized facilities reluctant to commit capital upfront, expanding reach across the medical lifting sling market.
Medical Lifting Slings Industry Leaders
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Bestcare LLC
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Prism Medical Ltd
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Invacare Corporation
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GF health products Inc.
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Arjo
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Recent Industry Developments
- November 2024: StarFish Medical acquired California-based Omnica Corporation, adding disposable-device engineering capabilities.
- November 2024: CMS finalized the 2025 Home Health Prospective Payment System, raising rates 2.7% and adding capacity-assessment rules.
Global Medical Lifting Slings Market Report Scope
The medical lifting sling is an assistive device that allows patients in hospitals and nursing homes, and people receiving home healthcare to be transferred between a bed and a chair or other similar resting places. These are the mobile devices that help the safe lifting of patients who are weak, obese, or are disabled.
| By Product | Standing Slings | ||
| Seating / Full-Body Slings | |||
| Universal U-shape Slings | |||
| Bariatric & Bari-plus Slings | |||
| Transfer Sheets & Slide Slings | |||
| Specialty & Paediatric Slings | |||
| By Material | Polyester | ||
| Padded / Quilted | |||
| Mesh / Spacer-fabric | |||
| Nylon | |||
| Technical Textiles | |||
| By Usage Type | Disposable (Single-patient) | ||
| Reusable / Launderable | |||
| By End User | Hospitals & Surgical Centres | ||
| Home-Care & Long-Term-Care Facilities | |||
| Rehabilitation Centres | |||
| Emergency Medical Services / Ambulance | |||
| Geography | North America | United States | |
| Canada | |||
| Mexico | |||
| Europe | Germany | ||
| United Kingdom | |||
| France | |||
| Italy | |||
| Spain | |||
| Rest of Europe | |||
| Asia-Pacific | China | ||
| Japan | |||
| India | |||
| South Korea | |||
| Australia | |||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |||
| Middle East and Africa | GCC | ||
| South Africa | |||
| Rest of Middle East and Africa | |||
| South America | Brazil | ||
| Argentina | |||
| Rest of South America | |||
| Standing Slings |
| Seating / Full-Body Slings |
| Universal U-shape Slings |
| Bariatric & Bari-plus Slings |
| Transfer Sheets & Slide Slings |
| Specialty & Paediatric Slings |
| Polyester |
| Padded / Quilted |
| Mesh / Spacer-fabric |
| Nylon |
| Technical Textiles |
| Disposable (Single-patient) |
| Reusable / Launderable |
| Hospitals & Surgical Centres |
| Home-Care & Long-Term-Care Facilities |
| Rehabilitation Centres |
| Emergency Medical Services / Ambulance |
| North America | United States |
| Canada | |
| Mexico | |
| Europe | Germany |
| United Kingdom | |
| France | |
| Italy | |
| Spain | |
| Rest of Europe | |
| Asia-Pacific | China |
| Japan | |
| India | |
| South Korea | |
| Australia | |
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |
| Middle East and Africa | GCC |
| South Africa | |
| Rest of Middle East and Africa | |
| South America | Brazil |
| Argentina | |
| Rest of South America |
Key Questions Answered in the Report
What is the current size of the medical lifting sling market?
The market is valued at USD 2.27 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 3.13 billion by 2030 at a 6.61% CAGR.
Which product segment leads sales in the medical lifting sling market?
Seating and full-body slings lead with 37.35% revenue share, while bariatric models are the fastest growing at 11.25% CAGR.
How fast is Asia-Pacific’s medical lifting sling market expanding?
Asia-Pacific records the highest regional CAGR at 11.82% for 2025-2030 due to rapid hospital upgrades and aging demographics.
Why are disposable lifting slings gaining traction?
Infection-control mandates and liability concerns drive a 9.52% CAGR for single-patient slings, especially in oncology and isolation units.
How are rental models influencing equipment adoption?
Equity-rental and subscription schemes allow smaller providers to access advanced lifts without large capital outlays, easing adoption barriers.
What regulatory standards affect sling design?
FDA low-transfer-height requirements and OSHA safe-patient-handling guidelines push suppliers toward slimmer profiles and smart-safety features.
