Market Trends of Personal Protective Equipment Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Personal Protective Equipment Market according to our research experts:
Surgical Masks and N95 Respirators to Experience Significant Growth
- Surgical masks are personal protective equipment used to protect the wearer from airborne particles and liquid contaminating the face in a mainstream application. A study conducted by the NIOSH revealed that nearly 78% of respondents reported using surgical masks for one or more hazards, which recorded applications toward 14% for ribavirin and over 90% for surgical smoke.
- Therefore, surgical masks have been used across situations where respiratory protection is recommended, for instance, compounding or administering antineoplastic drugs and working in the vicinity of surgical smoke. While a surgical mask may be effective in blocking splashes and large-particle droplets, blocking tiny particles transmitted by coughs, sneezes, or certain medical procedures, make these masks unfit to be used more than once.
- The N95 Respirators, on the other hand, are similar to European-based FFP2 and FFP3 standard masks, which are recognized as ideal for protecting the nose and mouth area from imparting or inhaling virus-led particles. Wearing face masks became usual and ubiquitous, not only in hospitals but in all public places due to COVID-19, which led to the overconsumption of surgical and N95 masks by the general public. This further led to immense supply shortages of surgical and N95 masks for healthcare workers in the frontline of patient care, as reported across several countries.
- Companies have been growing their market presence through various strategic developments. For instance, in August 2022, Optrel, a respiratory protection manufacturer, introduced the P Air Clear, the NIOSH-approved N95 respirator with a clear window. The P Air Clear is a significant advancement for educators, healthcare workers, geriatrics, and the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. It provides the maximum level of protection with the added benefit of a clear window, removing the communication barrier posed by traditional masks.
- Moreover, in May 2022, Project N95 collaborated with Harvard University's FXB Center for Health and Human Rights to provide 1 million free respirators to local communities. Engaging with 23 community groups in ten states, the partners gave over 500,000 respirators with the support of a significant donation of 500,000 N95s to Project N95 by Lakeland, Florida-based medical device manufacturer Advanced Concept Innovations (ACI).
Understand The Key Trends Shaping This Market
Download Sample
North America is Expected to Hold Significant Market Share
- Stringent government regulations regarding worker safety have forced companies to inculcate personal protective equipment and prevent fatalities at work. Regional product demand for the healthcare sector and rising awareness of preventing the spread of COVID-19 also fostered sales in the personal protective equipment market in the region.
- According to a report published by Statistics Canada in 2021, two-thirds (66.1%) of businesses in Canada said they needed or anticipated needing personal protective equipment (PPE) to operate per COVID-19 public health guidelines. Businesses in the services-producing sector were most likely to need PPE, led by those in educational services (92.1%), healthcare and social assistance (84.3%), retail trade (84.0%), and accommodation and food services (79.5%).
- Manufacturers in the region have been investing in product R&D activities and capacity expansions to cater to the increasing PPE demand and have an affirmative impact. For instance, in May 2022, Honeywell International Inc. introduced two new NIOSH-certified respiratory products, the DC365 and RU8500X series masks, to assist healthcare personnel. These additional products expand Honeywell's portfolio of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Moreover, the United States has a presence of principal market players that are engaged in the manufacturing of PPE. The likes of 3M Co., MSA Safety Inc., Ansell Limited, Honeywell International Inc., EI DuPont de Nemours and Co., Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Lakeland Industries, Inc., and Radians, Inc., among others, are also promoting the growth of the market in the region.
- Further, the growing number of occupational accidents, along with the requirement for highly durable mechanical wear resistance and protective gear in oil and gas, automotive, refining, and metal manufacturing businesses, should drive the personal protective equipment market trends. Increasing workplace hazards along with poignant regulatory framework by Occupational Safety and Health Administration to assure employee safety is anticipated to drive the market growth in North America.
Get Analysis on Important Geographic Markets
Download Sample
