Respiratory Protective Equipment Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product (Air Purifying Respirators (APR) and Supplied Air Respirators), By End-use Industry (Industrial, Oil & Gas, Mining, Petrochemical, Construction, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Fire Service, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2021-2028

The global respiratory protective equipment market size was valued at USD 8.04 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow from USD 8.77 billion in 2023 to USD 12.51 billion by 2031 at a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period. North America dominated the respiratory protective equipment market with a market share of 32.46% in 2021.

The global impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented and staggering, with respiratory protective equipment witnessing a positive impact on demand across all regions amid the pandemic. Based on our analysis, the global market exhibited a higher growth of 6.3% in 2020 as compared to the average year-on-year growth during 2017-2019. The rise in CAGR is attributable to this market’s demand and growth during a pandemic. The rise in the CAGR is attributable to this market’s demand and growth returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.

RPE is a particular form of personal protective equipment (PPE) used in the workplace to shield the individual wearer from inhalation of dangerous substances. The demand for PPE products such as head protection, fall protection, eye & face protection, hand protection, and hearing protection is increasing due to the rising number of occupational hazards in the manufacturing industry and manufacturers of respiratory protection equipment. Employers are expected to seek to remove the hazard at the source first. RPE could only be used after all other control steps which are fairly practicable were taken.

The growing prevalence of biological infectious hazards such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and coronavirus (COVID-19) is expected to drive the global respiratory protective equipment market growth. To fight COVID-19 initially, WHO advised using respirator masks that fit tightly over the nose and mouth to filter out virus particles before they are inhaled, such as the N95. Healthcare workers could also wear Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) or powered air-purifying respirators, which cover the entire head.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Increasing Demand for Respiratory Protective Equipment Due to COVID-19 Outbreak

The COVID-19 outbreak positively affects the market, as demand for masks and respirators has risen significantly. Both N95 respirators and PAPRs are used in healthcare settings. COVID-19 is perceived in many countries as a high-risk occupational threat for healthcare workers in various fields and specializations. WHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recommended airborne precautions for healthcare staff. Companies are investing in new product portfolio development to fight against COVID-19. For instance, 3M developed a special powered-air purifying respirator (PAPR) to reduce airborne particulate exposure.

LATEST TRENDS

Increasing Awareness About the Importance of Workplace Safety to Augment Market Growth 

By encouraging respiratory protective equipment, the risk of hazards can be greatly mitigated. Personal protective equipment such as RPE provides health equipment that protects employees from workplace injuries or dangers of illness. The PPE contains various protection devices intended to safeguard various parts of the human body, depending on the workplace's risk of exposure. Increasing awareness of occupational health, employers proactively ensure that workers are provided with increasingly effective respiratory protective equipment. This allows them to safeguard their workers and mitigate costs usually lost due to medical expenses, workers’ compensation, and loss of additional production time. Companies are taking stock of the increasing demand for this protective equipment and taking steps to cater to workers’ safety requirements.

DRIVING FACTORS

Rising Demand from Healthcare Industry Will Aid Market Growth

The growing demand for respiratory protective equipment in the healthcare industry is anticipated to boost the market. The coronavirus triggered the global pandemic in early 2020, and infected millions worldwide presenting healthcare professionals around the world with a massive challenge. Healthcare workers' safety and well-being determine the country's safety, security, and economic stability. In September 2020, COVID-19 affected an unprecedented number of healthcare workers in the U.S. In 10 states where comprehensive monitoring is carried out, healthcare workers account for between 4.4% and 20% of confirmed cases, and more than 100 healthcare staff worldwide have died.

With an increasing number of infected patients presenting daily, healthcare staff is struggling to take appropriate steps to defend themselves against the highly infectious coronavirus transmission. The coronavirus triggers an acute respiratory infection and spreads through touch and droplet routes. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face masks, surgical gloves, eye protection, and frequent hand washing, is known to restrict the spread of the virus.

The usage of N95 masks is more effective than standard surgical masks in preventing virus transmission among healthcare workers (HCWs). This aspect of determining the superior form of RPE is of great importance for providing optimum protection to HCWs.

Patients commonly use RPE, nurses, physicians, assistants, ward boys, and other personnel in the medical and healthcare industry to minimize or prevent airborne or interacting disease exposure. In addition, many volatile solvents and active pharmaceutical ingredients are used during the manufacture of medications, which can cause worker hazards. In these situations, various forms of RPE, such as half-face masks, full-face masks, helmets, hoods, and visors, are used to shield the employee. Much attention is focused on the role of powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) in the healthcare industry due to infectious disease outbreaks.  

Adoption of Stringent Regulatory Policies to Drive Market

If workers have to work in an environment with inadequate oxygen or toxic dust, fogs, mists, fires, fumes, liquids, vapors, or sprays, they require respirators. These health risks can lead to cancer, lung impairment, other illnesses or death where toxic substances are present in the workplace and controls in engineering are ineffective for minimizing or removing them. Many respirators providing ozone can also be used to protect against oxygen-deficient atmospheres.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to develop and implement an efficient respiratory safety system when workers are forced to wear respirators to protect themselves from occupational hazards. Different hazards need different respirators, and workers must wear the correct respirator and follow the respiratory safety program. The standard includes program administration requirements, respirator selection, worksite-specific procedures, employee training, fit testing, respirator use, cleaning, maintenance, and repair. Employees must use respirators while installing effective engineering controls where feasible. In a specific work environment and contaminant, the employee's tools must be correctly chosen, used and maintained. Therefore, employers have to educate staff in all facets of the respiratory health program.  

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Lack of Awareness of Proper Use of Respiratory Protective Equipment to Hinder Growth

Appropriate steps should be taken to improve the work practices, environment, and working-place conditions where workers can be exposed to hazardous dust. If not possible, workers should wear adequate RPE, which is used to avoid a range of occupational respiratory diseases caused by workplace exposure to unsafe dust substances. Many cases of occupational respiratory diseases caused by inappropriate use and respiratory health, management has been reported. Cases of acute and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease copd were reported due to excessive or insufficient use of respiratory protective equipment.

Acute toxicity and respiratory disorders, such as pneumoconiosis and lung cancer may develop over several years due to inadequate use and management of the RPE. At the same time, the number of individuals diagnosed with pneumoconiosis is increasing. Therefore, it is important to strengthen the preventive measures for dust exposure. Lack of awareness and sufficient training on the use of RPE and equipment failures have resulted in many fatal injuries among industrial employees, such as asphyxiation or chemical poisoning.

SEGMENTATION

By Product Analysis

Air Purifying Respirators (APR) Segment to Hold a Significant Share of Global Respiratory Protective Equipment Market Due to Increasing Product Demand During COVID-19 Pandemic

Based on product, the market is segmented into air-purifying respirators (APR) and supplied air respirators.

Further, the air purifying respirators segment is bifurcated into unpowered air-purifying respirators and powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR). The supplied air respirators segment is classified into airline respirators, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), combination SAR/SCBA or APR/SAR, and others.

The air purifying respirators segment held the major share of the market and is expected to expand at a rapid pace during the forecast period. Air-purifying respirators can eliminate airborne pollutants by filtering out particulates. Many APRs purify the air in a bottle or canister by adsorbing gas or vapors on a sorbent. They are closely fitted and are available in different types. Air-purifying respirators have filters and cartridges that remove contaminants from the air by passing through the air-purifying element before they reach the user.

Supplied-air respirators supply air from a compressed air tank to a facepiece via a supply line. The air supplied in tanks or from compressors has to follow certain levels of purity and humidity. SARs are usable in both positive and negative-pressure modes. Pressure-demand SARs with provisions for escape provide the highest level of security (among SARs) and are the only SARs recommended for use in hazardous waste sites.

By End-use Industry Analysis

Industrial Segment is Expected to Generate Highest Revenue during Forecast Period Due to Increasing RPE Demand in Textile Industry

Based on end-use industry, the market is segmented into industrial, oil & gas, mining, petrochemical, construction, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, fire service, and others.

The industrial segment accounted for the key share of the global respiratory protective equipment market. The increasing product demand in the industrial sector is due to its applications in various industries, including metal production, textile, and others.

Many respiratory risks have been associated with the oil and gas industry. Exposure to such hazards in the workplace is likely to risk employees' lives, and therefore the industry has been increasingly focused on compliance with occupational health and safety regulations to protect workers on sites.

The application of RPE in the healthcare industry is expanding at a rapid pace during the forecast period. Exposure to numerous biological agents, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and others is typical in the healthcare industry. Organizations, such as OSHA, are taking steps to provide advice on the proper use of respiratory and other protective equipment in healthcare sector.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

In terms of geography, the market can be categorized into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

The respiratory protective equipment market size in North America stood at USD 2.61 billion in 2020. North America accounted for the highest market share in revenue and is likely to maintain this trend during the forecast period. The existence of strict safety regulations and growing awareness of employees regarding personal safety in most industries are expected to boost the market in the region.

Asia Pacific is projected to expand rapidly during the forecast period due to increasing industrialization. Construction, healthcare, pharmaceutical, oil & gas, mining, and others are the primary industries contributing to rapid regional growth.

In Europe, an increasing number of respiratory hazards and rising requirements for highly effective RPE due to exposure to hazardous particulates in most core industries are anticipated to fuel the market during the forecast period.

Increasing investment in the oil & gas industry in the Middle East and Africa is expected to accelerate market growth. In addition, growing concerns regarding workplace injury and respiratory hazards, combined with tight regulations, are expected to drive the global respiratory protective equipment market size in the region.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Various Strategies such as Collaboration and Product Innovation were Adopted by Companies to Strengthen their Market Share

The global market is highly competitive, with key players accounting for major share. Key industry players sell distinctive features such as powered air-purifying respirators with an automatic filter to achieve world market dominance. Strategies embraced by the major firms usually include product development, product portfolio expansion, and distribution network expansion. Increasingly, companies are investing in new and improved personal protection equipment. During the coronavirus pandemic crisis, the WHO recently called on industry and governments to increase respiratory protective equipment production to meet increasing global demand for RPE.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• 3M (Minnesota, U.S.)


• Ansell Ltd. (Richmond, Australia)


• Alpha Pro Tech (Markham, Canada)


• Avon Protection (Maryland, U.S.)


• Bullard (Kentucky, U.S.)


• Delta Plus Group (Apt, France)


• Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA (Lübeck, Germany)


• Gentex Corporation (Michigan, U.S.)


• MSA (Pennsylvania, U.S.)


• Honeywell International Inc. (North Carolina, U.S.)


• Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. (Georgia, U.S.)


• Uvex Safety Group (Fürth, Germany)


• Protective Industrial Products, Inc. (New York, U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• April 2020 – 3M announced that it would partner with engine supplier Cummins Inc. to increase the output of filters used in 3M air purification respirators (PAPRs). Employees at Cummins Inc. will use a 3M design to produce the PAPR filters using equipment designed for making diesel engine filters.


• May 2020 – Honeywell International Inc. announced that it would be building a new production line capable of manufacturing up to 4.5 million FFP2 and FFP3 removable face masks each month at its Newhouse site in Scotland, U.K. Those masks should benefit the U.K. Government response to coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19).

REPORT COVERAGE

The market report provides a detailed analysis of the PPE industry and focuses on crucial aspects such as leading companies, products, and products. Also, it offers insights into market trends and highlights vital industry developments. In addition to the factors mentioned above, the report encompasses various key factors that have contributed to the market's growth in recent years. It includes historical data & forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels, and analyzes the industry's latest market dynamics and opportunities.

Report Scope & Segmentation