Europe Protective Face Mask Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Medical Face Mask {Surgical & Procedure, N-95 Respirators, and Others}, Respirator, and Others), By Usage (Disposable, and Reusable), By Application (Healthcare, Oil & Gas, Mining, Construction, Manufacturing, and Others) and Country Forecast, 2020-2027

The Europe protective face mask market size was USD 1,327.67 million in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 12,619.29 million by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.7% during the forecast period. Moreover, the protective face mask market size in the U.S. is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated value of USD 9.48 billion by 2032, driven by rising health awareness, increased demand during COVID-19, and regulatory measures promoting workplace safety.

The proliferating OPD sessions and surgeries around Europe are projected to boost product demand within the healthcare industry. The demand for facemasks in Europe is being driven by the exponential spread of the coronavirus in the continent. Strict governmental guidelines for the use of protective masks in Europe in light of the current pandemic outbreak are likely to drive the market. Due to strict social distancing policies put in place by governments, the e-commerce distribution channel is projected to propel the market.

COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges in Supply Chains to Widen Supply-Demand Gaps

The COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly spreading across regions and countries, causing a huge impact on all levels of the supply chain. The supply chains of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks, gloves, face shields, and others, have not been able to function adequately to meet the surging demand. Moreover, constraints in supply and logistics, which include a ban on exports for PPE and other key materials, have been in focus.

The shortage of availability and high prices of raw materials are likely to create hindrances for the manufacturing of facemasks during COVID-19. A surge in the demand for protective face masks has led to a shortage of key components such as polypropylene, nonwoven fabric, polyethylene (PE). For example, in China and ASEAN countries, the shortage of rubber is a serious bottleneck in downstream processes for manufacturing facemasks.  

Export bans and trade restrictions have also exacerbated the problems in facemask production and distribution. Multilateral development banks, including the Asian Development Bank, are helping in increasing production and logistic capacities, strengthening supply chains and other trade finance programs, and supporting susceptible groups, such as women, children, and the elderly.

LATEST TRENDS

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Increasing Demand from the Healthcare Industry to Boost the Europe Protective Face Mask Market Growth

All around the globe, the healthcare sector is thriving. The existing market dynamics, which have been fuelled by the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrate the importance of continuous improvement in the healthcare field. The rising importance of staff protection in healthcare facilities, especially during pandemics like the current one, is propelling the European protective face mask market forward.

Wearing these masks is crucial as the coronavirus spreads when an infected person sneezes or coughs, transmitting the virus through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose.

The current pandemic has created an unprecedented demand for face masks in the healthcare industry. These masks are worn to guard against dangers that may be harmful to one's skin. To meet market demand, manufacturers are focusing on increasing facemask production in many regions, including Europe. The market is expected to expand in response to the rising demand for respiratory protection, face protection, and other forms of protective equipment in the healthcare industry to ensure the safety of patients and healthcare staff during the current novel coronavirus pandemic. Healthcare workers are at high risk as they are working in high viral load environments. In April 2020, DACH Schutzbekleidung GmbH & Co. KG began working on ways to increase the availability of protective equipment in Germany since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. Part of its plan is the creation at its headquarters in Rastatt of an entirely German manufacturing plant, launched for the production of respiratory masks planned for summer 2020. The company also provided the Federal Ministry of Health with 300,000 breathing masks and 3 million facemasks for delivery to vital infrastructures.

DRIVING FACTORS

Growing Concerns over the Spread of COVID-19 to Fuel the Market

The number of COVID-19 cases has risen dramatically in a large number of countries, due to which COVID-19 has been characterized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). To deter the propagation of the contagion, a series of stringent steps have been taken by the European Union (EU), which has adversely impacted foreign trade in commodities. Around the same time, the demand for a number of products that can help tackle the pandemic has grown and has had a positive influence on foreign trade in these products. Protective masks are now being commonly worn to prevent the spread of the virus.

The use of surgical masks is an infection prevention measure in the pandemic for ensuring the safety of people in crowded public spaces. After several other control steps have already been introduced, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) proposed cloth face coverings in April 2020, while the UK government recommended cloth masks in June, restricted to public transit settings only. In Germany, the right to enforce their own laws on masks has been granted to individual states. In a similar move, the UK government has allowed the devolved nations of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to enforce their own measures, separate from those issued across England. Across Paris and other neighboring areas, in the wake of a rise in coronavirus cases in France, wearing a protective face mask in public has become obligatory. Because of the growing evidence that people with mild or no symptoms can spread COVID-19, the use of face masks and other face covers can be seen as a form of source control complementary to other steps already in place to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.

Rising Demand for N-95 Respirators to Boost the Market

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is necessary to cover the mouth & nose. N-95 respirators are frequently referred to as medical respirators, healthcare respirators, or surgical N95. These masks have been considered the best for controlling the spread of COVID-19. An N95 respirator is a more tightly fitted facemask. In addition to sprays, splashes, large droplets, and other mediums containing bacteria & viruses, this respirator can also flush out 95% of very small particles.

The most important component of PPE for healthcare workers (HCWs) during this pandemic is the N95 FFP respirator, licensed by the United States National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for healthcare and industrial usage. However, in a healthcare setting, some N95 respirators are intended for use to prevent the spread of the deadly virus. Specifically, single-use, disposable respiratory protection equipment is utilized and worn by healthcare staff during operations to avoid the movement of microorganisms, bodily fluids, and particulate matter between both the patient and the healthcare personnel.

These respirators are FDA-regulated class II products, under 21 CFR 878.4040, and CDC NIOSH under 42 CFR Part 84, and manufacturers are increasing their production capacity to meet the soaring demand for these respirators. For example, in May 2020, Honeywell International Inc. announced that it would build a new production line at its site in Newhouse, Scotland, UK, capable of producing up to 4.5 million FFP2 and FFP3 disposable face masks per month. These masks are going to help the UK government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Fluctuations in Prices of Face Masks to Hinder the Market

The COVID-19 outbreak has caused a high fluctuation in the prices of facemasks. In Europe, the prices of basic PPE products, such as masks and gloves, have seen a spike of more than 50%. This has made the products unaffordable to the low-income class in the region. According to a survey published by the Society for Healthcare Organization Procurement Professionals, the price of PPE supplies has risen more than 1,000 percent. Isolation gowns (2,000 percent), N95 masks (1,513 percent), 3-ply masks (1,500 percent), and reversible face shields (900 percent) were the main PPE that recorded price rises.

This rise in the usage of protective face masks by the general public exacerbates the global market scarcity of face masks, with increasing costs and the possibility of supply limitations for frontline healthcare professionals. Their demand is up to 100 times higher than normal and prices are 20 times higher. In January, for instance, the demand for masks in Spain increased by 730 percent, leading to a price surge across the country. The nationwide lockdown caused a huge number of manufacturers to close their production plants. Non-availability and high prices of raw materials in the region have also caused an incline in the prices of facemasks.

REPORT SCOPE & SEGMENTATION

SEGMENTATION

By Type Analysis

Others Segment to Generate High Revenue Backed by Growing Awareness

Based on type, the market is segmented into medical face masks, respirators, and others. The other segment constituted the key share of the European market in 2019. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, evolving customer perception about the value of protective face masks, and the rise in social media ads to foster a healthy attitude towards wearing masks are the key factors driving the growth rate of this segment.

The respirators segment is expected to expand at a rapid pace during the forecast period due to favorable government legislation relating to the welfare of workers and the advent of many contagious biohazards. The growing awareness about the health and welfare of workers, combined with the increasing number of occupational deaths due to respiratory disorders, is projected to fuel the demand for this segment.

By Usage Analysis

Disposable Segment Accounted for the Major Market Share

On the basis of usage, the market is classified into disposable and reusable. The disposable segment held the primary share of the market. Surgical, respirator, mud, pitta masks, and others are included in the disposable face masks segment. The increased use of respirators in hospitals is expected to boost the demand for these types of facemasks. The ongoing pandemic is also contributing on a global scale to the increased use of disposable facemasks.

By Application Analysis

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Healthcare Segment to Hold a Significant Share Supported by the Growth of the Packaging Industry

In terms of application, the market is divided into healthcare, oil & gas, mining, construction, manufacturing, and others. The healthcare segment accounted for the major share of the European market. This sector is segmented into hospitals and clinics, manufacturing, and others, depending on end-use. Due to the recent coronavirus pandemic, hospitals and clinics are already operating at full capacity. Therefore, as part of their human resource planning, they are concentrating primarily on their workplace health conditions and are thus promoting the use of facemasks.

Manufacturing industries are also expected to make a major contribution to the development of the facemask market. Since the lifting of the lockdown in certain parts of the globe, governments are making concerted efforts to control the spread of the coronavirus and issuing advisories that are an essential component of the use of face masks. Consequently, with manufacturing industries returning to normal production and operation, the demand for this segment is expected to rise as well.

COUNTRY INSIGHTS

In Europe, most of countries have been heavily affected by the pandemic. The coronavirus and other health-related problems caused by air pollution have been the primary causes of concern for most countries in Europe. A rise in the demand for face masks, caused by the increased number of deaths due to COVID-19, along with an increase in guidelines from government and health organizations, is expected to increase the demand for these masks in Europe.

In order to contain the transmission of the coronavirus, European countries, such as Germany, Italy, France, and others, have made it mandatory to wear facemasks in public transport, which is likely to have a positive impact on the market. Moreover, several textile and apparel companies in the region have begun producing face masks and medical apparel, which, in turn, are expected to boost demand.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Companies to Adopt Novel Strategies and Broaden Market Presence

Europe face mask market structure is highly fragmented and competitive, dominated by the top five key players – 3M, DuPont, Honeywell International Inc., Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., and Uvex Group. Major market players are engaged in research and development for producing superior-quality products with enhanced features. Furthermore, the companies are now promoting strategic partnerships to improve their R&D efforts.

The main challenge for the existing players is expected to be the fluctuating raw material prices and the presence of new market entrants. In order to maintain their position in the market, these companies are investing in R&D and innovation. Key players are dependent on mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures to maintain their market position, reduce manufacturing cost, and expand their global presence.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• 3M (Minnesota, U.S.)


• DuPont (Delaware, U.S.)


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


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


• Moldex-Metric (California, U.S.)


• Cardinal Health (Ohio, U.S.)


• Medicom (Quebec, Canada)


• ANSELL LTD (Melbourne, Australia)


• DACH Schutzbekleidung GmbH & Co. KG (Rastatt, Germany)


• AKZENTA INTERNATIONAL SA (TICINO, Switzerland)


• Dentsply Sirona (Pennsylvania, U.S.)


• Uvex Group (Fuerth, Germany)


• Other Key Players

Key Industry Developments

• In April 2020, Rising quarterly earnings have been announced by 3M as it speeds up the output of N95 masks while fighting market gouging and fraud during the coronavirus epidemic. During the first quarter, 3M witnessed a 21% increase in revenue in its healthcare segment, a core driver of a 45 percent leap to US$ 1.3 billion in first-quarter earnings. Revenues rose 2.7% to US$ 8.1 billion.


• In May 2020, Medicom confirmed a long-term deal with the Government of Canada to manufacture 20 million respiratory masks of N95 and 24 million surgical masks each year beginning this summer for the next 10 years. The current COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of ensuring local development of personal protective equipment (PPE) and both the governments of Canada and Quebec are the latest to collaborate with Medicom in an increasing number of countries around the world.


• In April 2020, Cummins Inc. and DuPont helped to resolve the nation's lack of N95 respirator masks as the COVID-19 pandemic expands around the globe. Usually, Cummins' NanoNet and NanoForce Media technology, which uses DuPont's Hybrid Membrane Technology (HMT), may be used in dirt, fuel, and lube filtration products used in heavy-duty diesel engines to avoid long-term engine damage, but may also be used to remove toxic airborne contaminants that can disperse COVID-19 in the N95 respirator masks used by healthcare professionals.

REPORT COVERAGE

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The Europe protective face mask market research report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on crucial aspects, such as competitive landscape, products, and types. The report also offers insights into market trends and highlights vital industry developments. In addition to the factors mentioned above, the report encompasses various factors that have contributed to the market's growth in recent years.

This report includes historical data & forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels, and analyzes the industry's latest dynamics and opportunities.

In-depth Coverage of Segmentation

By Type

Medical Face Mask

• Surgical & Procedure


• N-95 Respirators


• Others

Respirator

Others

By Usage

• Disposable


• Reusable

By Application

• Healthcare


• Oil & Gas


• Mining


• Construction


• Manufacturing


• Others

By Geography

• Europe