Contrast Media Market - Regional Analysis
North America Market Insights
The contrast media market in North America is expected to account for a revenue share of 37.5% by the end of 2037, owing to the presence of the key global industry players within the region. Companies based in the U.S. are constantly developing relevant technologies to make the use of contrast media more precise. For example, in October 2024, Cracco Diagnostic announced the launch of AiMIFY, an AI-powered software capable of making contrast imaging more precise, facilitating improved visualization.
The U.S is expected to expand at a rapid CAGR during the forecast period, due to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases. As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in April 2024, over 16 million people in the U.S are living with diseases that are caused by smoking. Heart attacks, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and other chronic health conditions are common due to poor nutrition and physical activity across the nation. Moreover, the advancements in contrast media formulations fuel the market growth. For example, in June 2025, Bayer submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA for the approval of the newly developed contrast agent gadoquatrane. The contrast agent is effective for contrast-enhanced resonance imaging, to be applied to adults and pediatric patients.
The contrast media market in Canada is expected to account for a significant market share by 2037, due to adequate investment by the government to improve the healthcare infrastructure. Key market players in Canada are also focusing on the development of advanced contrast agents. For instance, in February 2023, Voyageur Pharmaceuticals planned the launch of SmoothX barium sulfate CT contrast media oral suspension in Canada. The contrast agent was deemed palatable by patients. Thus, the development of the advanced contrast agent mitigates the challenges associated with ease of consumption and palatability in the market.
Asia Pacific Market Insights
The Asia Pacific contrast media market is anticipated to reach a remarkable share by 2037, owing to the rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, and cancer. The improving healthcare infrastructure and rising focus on patient-centric care also fuel the market growth. As reported by the WHO in January 2025, technologies such as Big Data for healthcare policy-related decision-making, AI for the provision of personalized care, and others, are being leveraged across the Asia Pacific.
China is poised to display notable growth by the end of 2037, owing to the rising geriatric population across the country. As per the report by the State Council of China in October 2024, around 297 million people in China are aged over 60 years. Companies in China are receiving regulatory approvals for new contrast media. One such example is the announcement of Farmak International, a leading pharmaceutical company operational in China, in December 2024, regarding the successful registration of the newly developed MRI contrast agent Gadoteric Acid Meglumine Salt Injection. The rising geriatric population and the approval of new contrast media fuel the demand for and advancement of diagnostic imaging.
India is set to witness significant growth, as it has the second-highest number of diabetes patients, indicating high demand for diagnostic imaging requiring contrast media. Involvement of companies in innovating novel contrast media also boosts the market growth. In July 2024, a leading medical technology company in India, Trivitron Healthcare, launched a state-of-the-art CT scanner, modelled as Terrene. Regulatory bodies that include the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) approved the contrast media.
Europe Market Insights
Europe is expected to register rapid growth by the end of 2037. The emergence of contrast agents, including syringeless injectors, low-osmolality contrast media, and others, increasing patient throughput, improving diagnostic safety, are some key factors fueling the market growth. Moreover, guidelines by regulatory bodies to enhance safety in imaging procedures boost the market growth by encouraging ethical practices. For example, in July 2025, the European Society of Radiology recommended using low-dose CT to screen for lung cancer, focusing on lesions of error in measurement and aggressiveness.
Germany contrast media market is set to show remarkable growth during the forecast period, owing to demographic shifts. As per the forecast by the American Association of Retired Persons, one-third of the population in Germany will be aged over 65 years. Such an aging population is likely to increase the demand for diagnostic procedures over time, considering the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. The adoption of measures to improve the healthcare infrastructure of the nation by the government also fuels the contrast market growth in Germany by influencing the adoption of advanced contrast agents. For instance, as reported by the International Trade Administration in August 2025, major hospital reforms are underway in Germany.
France is expected to emerge as the second most promising contrast media market by 2037, due to the expansion of applications related to neuroimaging. In November 2024, the Paris Brain Institute launched the 7-Tesla MAGNETOM Terra.X MRI scanner. With the launch of this exceptional piece of imaging equipment, France has made significant progress towards the next generation neuroscience community. People in France prefer minimally invasive surgeries due to their reduced recovery times and the risk profile. With the launch of the advanced imaging devices, healthcare practitioners in France can gain a more in-depth understanding of diseases. The need for precise screening increases with the rising preference for minimally invasive surgeries.
