Surgical Mask and Respirators Market Size

Surgical Mask and Respirators Market Analysis

The surgical mask and respirators market is poised to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% over the forecast period.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the surgical mask and respirators market. Medical professionals and healthcare workers urgently needed masks and respirators to protect themselves and their patients, leading to a massive increase in production and distribution efforts by many companies. For instance, in February 2021, Filti launched its NF95 Respirator in America. The pre-certified NF95 Respirators were constructed using the company's state-of-the-art nanofiber technology and have proven to filter 95% of aerosolized, airborne particles like COVID-19 moving through the material. This led to the general public adopting masks and respirators as a preventive measure. In the post-pandemic period, while the demand for masks and respirators is expected to decrease from peak levels, however, due to increased awareness and preparedness, the need for surgical masks and respirators is expected to grow. The experience gained during the pandemic has emphasized the importance of masks and respirators in healthcare settings and public spaces. This may lead to continued use and demand for masks and respirators over the forecast period.

An increasing number of surgical procedures are the key driving factor for the market's growth because it leads to increase utilization of surgical masks by healthcare professionals to create a physical barrier against blood and to reduce the chances of infection. For instance, according to the data published by the OECD, in August 2022, about 94.87 thousand surgeries were performed in Portugal 2021, followed by 49.33 thousand in Denmark, 32.84 thousand in Ireland, and 21.5 thousand in Norway. Additionally, the ASPS data updated in February 2022 reported that in 2021, more than 13 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the United States, among which botulinum toxin remained the top procedure with 4.4 million procedures, followed by soft tissue filler (3.4 million) and Laser Skin Resurfacing (997.3 thousand). Thus, the growing popularity of aesthetic treatment for facial enhancement is the key market driver. Thus, with an increase in surgeries, the demand for surgical masks also increases, thereby driving market growth.

Furthermore, the key market players took various initiatives to increase the product footprint, such as product launches, mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships. Hence, the market is expected to grow during the forecast period. For instance, in March 2022, Honeywell helped to meet the needs of healthcare workers launched two new NIOSH-certified respiratory offerings; one is the next generation of the surgical N95 respirator named as DC365 Small Surgical N95 Respirator to help protect frontline workers who need a smaller sized surgical N95. Another is a new half-mask respirator that belongs to the RU8500X series. Such launches are expected to contribute to the growth of the market.

Hence, the surgical mask and respirators market is anticipated to grow over the forecast period due to the increasing number of surgeries, the growing burden of allergies, and airborne disease. However, a rise in concerns about disposal will hinder the market's growth.