Personal Protective Equipment Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Respiratory Protection, Protective Clothing), By End-use (Healthcare, Manufacturing), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028

Report Overview

The global personal protective equipment market size was valued at USD 77.36 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3% from 2020 to 2028. Increasing awareness regarding hygiene to avoid transmission of pathogens in healthcare facilities is expected to drive the demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) over the forecast period. Various countries implemented strict acts due to the Covid-19, such as the Families First Coronavirus Response Act by the U.S. for protecting public health workers, establishing free testing, providing paid leaves, and important benefits to children and families, in 2020 to curb the spread. Increasing domestic production coupled with restraints on the product imports and exports surged the PPE demand in 2020.

The stringent regulations imposed by the U.S. Department of Labor and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the U.S. have a positive impact on product demand from the end-use industries in the country. In addition, the growing employee awareness related to personal safety has a significant influence on the increased penetration of PPE in the U.S.

Constant innovations, such as the development of lighter and comfortable industrial protective equipment using premium-quality fabric, are projected to propel market growth. Demand for protective equipment, which combines safety with improved aesthetics and technological innovation is further estimated to augment market growth.

Factors, such as improved technical support and increasing awareness of the price-performance ratio of products, are expected to favor private-label product manufacturing. Rising contract-based manufacturing of PPE designed according to distributor specifications, primarily in developed economies of North America and Western Europe, has a major impact on driving the product demand.

The companies operating in the textile industry across the Asian countries have altered their apparel manufacturing plants to PPE manufacturing post-outbreak of the Covid-19 to bridge the demand-supply gap. China is the largest exporter of PPE, such as masks, goggles, protective gowns, and gloves; however, its exports reduced by around 15% post the origination of the pandemic.

Product Insights

The hand protection product segment accounted for the largest revenue share of over 28% in 2020 and is expected to grow at a steady CAGR during the forecast period. Risks associated with corrosive chemicals, handling warm objects, and heavy-duty equipment are likely to spur the demand for protective gloves in the construction, food processing, oil & gas, healthcare, and metal fabrication industries.

Protective clothing, including heat & flame protection, chemical defending, cleanroom clothing, and mechanical protective clothing, is the second-largest product segment. The high-performance attributes of these products have resulted in increased penetration driving their demand in various end-use industries.

Protective footwear accounted for a significant market share and is expected to witness a CAGR of 6.8% over the forecast period owing to high product demand as a result of the increasing workplace fatalities. Growing awareness among employers to protect employees against foot injuries caused by chainsaws, electric shock, and metatarsal impact is likely to have a positive impact on the segment growth.

The respiratory protective equipment protects employees against hazardous gases and vapors, particulates, chemical agents, radiological particles, and biological contaminants. Rising demand for unpowered respirators, primarily from the petrochemical, mining, cement, construction, coal, fertilizers, and oil & gas sectors, is expected to drive the segment growth over the forecast period.

End-use Insights

The healthcare end-use segment led the market in 2020 accounting for the highest revenue share of over 29%. The segment will retain its dominance growing at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Several factors are considered by end-users while purchasing protective clothing, such as the material used and coverage provided by it, seam barrier properties, and other features like closures. The demand for protective clothing, especially coveralls and gowns, has increased in the U.S. due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus.

In addition, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an enforcement policy for gowns and other apparel to expand the availability of critical protective clothing for healthcare workers during the pandemic. Commonly-used materials in the production of coveralls and gowns include polyethylene and Spunbond Meltblown Spunbond (SMS). The oil & gas industry accounted for a significant share, in terms of revenue, and is expected to witness steady growth over the projected period owing to high accident risk in upstream and midstream activities in the industry.

The growing oil & gas and petrochemical industry in China, India, UAE, and Saudi Arabia is anticipated to propel product demand in this segment. Growth in the food & beverage sector across the globe is projected to drive the product demand over the forecast period. Various processes in the industry, such as mixing, weighing, cutting, cleaning, in-house transportation, dispensing, and warehousing, can pose serious risks, which drives the product demand in the food sector.

Regional Insights

Led by the U.S., North America accounted for the largest revenue share of over 33% in the global market in 2020 owing to developed end-use industries along with high product adoption in the healthcare sector. High product penetration in the U.S. is attributed to a stringent regulatory scenario coupled with hefty penalties for non-compliance with the standards that are forcing employers to adopt PPE.

Asia Pacific is expected to emerge as the fastest-growing regional market at a CAGR of 8.3% over the forecast period on account of economic growth and rapid industrialization across the region. Furthermore, huge compensation costs associated with workplace fatalities are expected to force employers in various end-use sectors to use protective equipment aiding product demand.

The upgrading of the public healthcare system and infrastructure, coupled with investments in new facilities, are part of the reform plan in Russia. These developments are expected to drive the demand for medical equipment and devices. The demand for hand protection equipment, such as disposable and durable gloves, is anticipated to witness significant growth owing to the rapidly expanding medical sector in the country.

The recovery of the manufacturing sector in Malaysia, in the second half of 2018, positively influenced the market growth. The steady growth of the chemical industry coupled with increasing penetration of PPE in chemical manufacturing owing to rising awareness regarding employee safety is expected to drive the market over the forecast period.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Product prices for the above-the-neck PPE market are expected to marginally increase over the forecast period primarily due to the addition of value-added features. For instance, the application of anti-fog coatings in prescription eyewear is projected to marginally increase the final product prices. In addition, companies are shifting their focus toward manufacturing products that are fashionable as well as comfortable owing to the increased demand for durable and customized equipment. Some prominent players in the global personal protective equipment (PPE) market include:

• Honeywell International, Inc.

• Lakeland Industries, Inc.

• DuPont

• 3M

• Ansell Ltd.

• Avon Rubber plc

• COFRA S.r.l.

• Uvex Safety Group

• Lindstrom Group

• BartelsRieger Atemschutztechnik GmbH

• Rock Fall (U.K.) Ltd.

• Mine Safety Appliances (MSA) Company

• Radians, Inc.

• Polison Corp.

• Gateway Safety, Inc.

Personal Protective Equipment Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2028. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global personal protective equipment market report on the basis of product, end-use, and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Head, Eye & Face Protection

  • Hearing Protection

  • Protective Clothing

    • Heat & Flame Protection

    • Chemical Defending

    • Cleanroom Clothing

    • Mechanical Protective Clothing

    • Limited General Use

    • Others

  • Respiratory Protection

    • Air-purifying Respirators

    • Supplied Air Respirators

  • Protective Footwear

    • Leather

    • Rubber

    • PVC

    • Polyurethane

    • Others

  • Fall Protection

  • Hand Protection

    • Disposable Gloves

      • By Type

        • General Purpose

        • Chemical Handling

        • Sterile Gloves

        • Surgical

        • Others

      • By Material

        • Natural Rubber

        • Nitrile

        • Neoprene

        • Vinyl

        • Others

    • Durable Gloves

      • Mechanical Gloves

      • Chemical Handling

      • Thermal/Flame Retardant

      • Others

  • Others

• End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Construction

  • Manufacturing

  • Oil & Gas

  • Chemicals

  • Food

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • Healthcare

  • Transportation

  • Mining

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • France

    • U.K.

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Russia

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • South Korea

    • Indonesia

    • Australia

    • Thailand

    • Malaysia

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

  • Africa

    • South Africa