Respiratory Protective Equipment Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (APR, SAR), By End Use (Oil & Gas, Industrial, Mining, Construction), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2027

Report Overview

The global respiratory protective equipment market size was estimated at USD 6.62 billion in 2019 and is anticipated to expand at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4% from 2020 to 2027. Rising prevalence of infectious biological hazards such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) are expected to propel the demand for respiratory protective equipment (RPE). In addition, favorable occupational safety regulations for worker safety in various industries are further expected to drive the RPE market over the forecast period. Moreover, growing demand for personal protective equipment (PPE), including RPE owing to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, is expected to further propel the market growth.

U.S. accounted for the largest share in the North America Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) market in 2019 on account of the high product penetration in the country owing to the stringent regulatory scenario and growing employee awareness about personal safety. Air-purifying respirator product segment accounted for the largest revenue share in the U.S. market on account of its high penetration particularly in oil and gas, petrochemical, and mining industries.

Rising incidences of mesothelioma, a cancer that affects the protective lining of the internal organs, including the heart, lungs, and the abdominal cavity, are further anticipated to boost the market growth over the forecast period. It is commonly caused by exposure to asbestos across various industries, including construction, manufacturing, factory, textile mill, power plants, and shipyards.

The industry has been witnessing a surge in engineered and high-performance multi-functionality protective equipment. In addition, owing to shifting consumer preference in terms of fashion sense and high level of comfort and breathability coupled with diversifying end-use industries for respiratory protective equipment, manufacturing methods are becoming complex, which can be considered as one of the industry challenges in the market.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has surged the demand for PPE such as medical masks, face shields, gloves, gowns and aprons, and respirators such as N95 or FFP2 standard or equivalent which has led to their shortage across various countries. Thus, to tackle this situation, several manufacturers have ramped-up their production capacities and are expanding their manufacturing facilities to meet the growing demand which is anticipated to have a positive impact on the market.

Product Insights

Air-purifying Respirator (APR) led the market and accounted for a 52.97% revenue share in 2019. APRs are used against particulates such as fumes or smoke. These respirators are used to protect employees against vapors and gases that are at lesser atmospheric concentrations than the standard atmospheric concentration. Various types of commercially available APRs include negative pressure, positive pressure, and escape only respirators.

Powered Air purifying Respirator (PAPR) utilizes a motor blower to force ambient air through air-purifying elements. These units are designed to protect employees from hazardous particles, gases, and vapors. PAPRs are characterized by lower breathing resistance as compared to a non-powered APRs, thus resulting in less work stress and fatigue and thereby leading to increased productivity.

The Supplied Air Respirator (SAR) product segment is anticipated to register a CAGR of 9.2% over the forecast period. Supplied air respirators provide high-level respiratory protection and positive pressure to the mask so that leakage is outward. Growing pharmaceutical and healthcare industries in the Asia Pacific are anticipated to drive the product demand over the forecast period.

Self-contained breathing apparatus provides pure, dry compressed air to a full facepiece mask via a hose, where the air is exhaled out in the environment. This type of respiratory protection is used whenever a worker is entering environments that are Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) or when information is inadequate to rule out the IDLH atmosphere.

End-use Insights

Industrial segment led the respiratory protective equipment (RPE) market and accounted for 18.88% share of the global revenue in 2019. The ascending demand for respiratory protective equipment in the industrial sector can be attributed to its applications in various industries including textile, sports goods manufacturing, and metal fabrication. In addition, rapid industrialization in countries including China, India, Malaysia, and Vietnam along with continuous improvement in the occupational health and safety standards is likely to drive market growth.

The petrochemical/ chemical industry is associated with various airborne contaminants, including volatile organic compounds and hydrocarbons released from industrial processes. The exposure to such contaminants is likely to put the workers at risk and cause respiratory disorders or even diseases such as cancer. The use of engineering and administration controls is not feasible in several petrochemical processes, which, in turn, is expected to promote the demand for RPE.

The oil and gas end-use segment is anticipated to witness expand at a CAGR of 9.2% over the forecast period. The oil and gas industry has been associated with a large number of respiratory hazards, including exposure to silica and hydrogen sulfide. The exposure to such hazards at work is likely to risk the lives of the employees, and thus the industry has been increasingly focused on compliance with occupational health and safety regulations to safeguard workers on sites.

The healthcare industry is characterized by exposure to various biological agents, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and endoparasites. The initiatives taken by organizations such as OSHA to provide guidance on the proper use of respiratory and other protective equipment in the healthcare sector, coupled with the emergence of global infectious diseases including Influenza A (H1N1) and Ebola virus, are expected to drive the market growth.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the market and accounted for 39.37% share of the global revenue in 2019. The presence of stringent safety regulations and rising employee awareness towards personal safety in most industries is likely to drive regional demand over the projected period. In addition, growing industries in North America, including oil & gas, chemicals, and manufacturing are expected to complement the regional market growth.

Europe is anticipated to progress at a CAGR of 9.0% over the forecast period. An increasing number of respiratory hazards coupled with the growing requirement for highly effective RPE due to exposure to hazardous particulates in the majority of core industries such as metal manufacturing, oil and gas, automotive, and refining is expected to augment the demand for RPE in the region over the forecast period.

The Asia Pacific is characterized by burgeoning pharmaceutical, mining, and construction industries, which extensively use respiratory products such as disposable and non-disposable respirators, self-contained breathing apparatus, powered air-purifying respirators, escape respirators, and airline respirators to avoid workplace fatalities. This, in turn, is anticipated to drive the market in the forthcoming years.

Increasing investments in construction and oil and gas industries are expected to augment industrial growth in the Middle East and Africa region. In addition, rising investments in aircraft component production, textile machinery, and fabricated metal products are expected to drive the region's manufacturing industry. Moreover, increasing concerns about occupational injury and respiratory hazards, coupled with stringent regulations, are anticipated to drive the regional market growth.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The global market is highly competitive, with established market players controlling the significant share. Market participants usually adopt several strategies for organic and inorganic growth to increase their market share. Key players in the industry offer products with distinctive features such as powered air-purifying respirator with an automatic filter to gain dominance in the global market. Strategies adopted by the major companies usually include product development, product portfolio expansion, and expansion of the distribution network. Companies are focusing on operating throughout the value chain to gain dominance in the global market. This provides them with advantages in terms of raw material procurement and distribution of finished products, thereby maintaining the economies of scale at an optimum level. Some prominent players in the respiratory protective equipment market include:

• 3M

• Ansell Ltd.

• Alpha Pro Tech

• Avon Rubber p.l.c

• DuPont

• Bullard

• Delta Plus Group

• Intech Safety Pvt. Ltd.

• ILC Dover

• Mine Safety Appliances (MSA) Company

• Kimberly-Clark Corporation

• Polison Corporation

• Uvex Safety Group

• Honeywell International, Inc.

• Gateway Safety, Inc.

Respiratory 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 and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2016 to 2027. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global respiratory protective equipment market on the basis of product, end use, and region.

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Air Purifying Respirator (APR)

    • Unpowered Air-Purifying Respirators

      • Disposable Filtering Half Mask Respirator

      • Half Mask Respirator

      • Full Face Mask Respirator

    • Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPR)

      • Half Mask Respirator

      • Full Face Mask Respirator

      • Helmets, Hoods & Visors

    • Escape Respirators

  • Supplied Air Respirators

    • Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

    • Full Face Masks

    • Airline Respirators

• End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Oil & Gas

  • Fire Services

  • Petrochemical/Chemical

  • Industrial

  • Pharmaceutical

  • Construction

  • Healthcare

  • Mining

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • U.K.

    • Russia

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • South Korea

    • Indonesia

    • Australia

    • Thailand

    • Malaysia

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

    • Chile

  • Middle East & Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • South Africa