Molnlycke Health Care, a global leader in medical technology and wound care solutions, is expanding its presence in China through a new joint venture with Zhende Medical, a medical supply company based in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province. The collaboration, announced on May 21, aims to accelerate growth in China’s advanced wound care market, which is experiencing rapid expansion driven by factors such as an aging population and rising chronic disease prevalence.
Jakob Sonnenberg, general manager of Molnlycke’s China unit, highlighted the country’s significance for the company, noting that Molnlycke has operated in China for over two decades and currently holds one of the largest shares of the advanced wound care market there. “China is quite a big market for us,” he said, emphasizing the dual medical and psychological impact of wound treatment on patients’ quality of life.
Market data from consultancy Grand View Research underlines the growth potential, valuing China’s advanced wound dressings market at approximately 3 billion yuan ($442.8 million). The sector is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5 percent from 2024 to 2030, outpacing the 2 to 3 percent growth expected in developed markets. This dynamic has prompted Molnlycke to seek local partnerships to better serve the increasing demand for sophisticated wound care solutions.
The joint venture will be majority-owned by Molnlycke and will unify the advanced wound care portfolios and commercial capabilities of both companies. The new entity, headquartered in Shanghai, is set to begin operations in the third quarter of 2026. Its initial focus will be on the sales and distribution of existing advanced wound care products, aiming to improve access and outcomes for healthcare providers and patients throughout China.
Xu Dasheng, board director and executive president of Zhende Medical, described the partnership as a reflection of the companies' “strength, resilience and long-term ambition.” He emphasized that the collaboration combines complementary expertise and in-depth market knowledge to effectively meet growing demand in the wound care sector.
Industry analysts also see significant opportunities in China’s wound care market. Liu Lihe, partner at Shanghai-based China Insights Consultancy, noted an increasing penetration of wound care products in chronic wound treatment. He highlighted the sector’s ongoing evolution, with advanced dressing manufacturers expanding cooperation beyond hospitals to include grassroots doctors, nurse stations, rehabilitation institutions, pharmacies, and home care platforms.
The Molnlycke-Zhende joint venture represents one of the first partnerships of its kind in the Chinese wound care market, signaling a move toward more advanced treatment standards and a stronger emphasis on integrated patient care.