Respiratory Protective Equipment Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (APR, SAR), By End-use (Industrial, Pharmaceutical, Healthcare), By Region (EU, APAC, North America), And Segment Forecasts, 2019 - 2028

Report Overview

The global respiratory protective equipment market size was valued at USD 13.69 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7% from 2019 to 2028. Increasing demand for disposable masks and respirators in healthcare facilities is expected to have a positive impact on the market growth. The demand for respiratory protective equipment (RPE) increased exponentially during the COVID-19 pandemic prompting manufacturers to boost their production capacities. Moreover, the supply chain disruptions, led to the unavailability of raw materials, ultimately resulting in increased product prices. RPE manufacturers also started developing innovative products to fight against the COVID-19, which supported the market growth.

The demand for Air Purifying Respirators (APR) has increased significantly in the U.S. owing to the pandemic. Disposable filtering masks and half-mask respirators are spearheading the growth of the APRs segment due to their high utilization by employees and workers across various industries in the country. Rising awareness regarding employee health and safety along with the increasing industrial fatalities in the emerging economies owing to respiratory diseases is projected to drive the market over the forecast period. Technological innovation along with changing consumer preference toward protective equipment that combines safety with fashion and brand image is further anticipated to boost the market growth.

Increasing demand for technologically advanced and multi-purpose respiratory products is expected to drive innovations in the market. Furthermore, rapid industrialization in developing countries in South America and Southeast Asia is projected to positively impact the demand for skilled labor in these regions, which, in turn, is anticipated to drive demand for RPE. The market is fragmented in nature with major companies striving for leadership. Key players emphasize integration across the value chain to further strengthen their industry position. The market has been witnessing an increase in M&As and strategic alliances, such as technology licensing, by companies to gain a competitive edge.

Product Insights

The APRs segment led the market and accounted for more than 54% of the global revenue share in 2020. The demand for APRs has increased significantly owing to the sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe. Disposable filtering masks and half-mask respirators are spearheading the growth of the APRs segment.

Half mask air-purifying respirators have been designed to meet the specifications set by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and are tested & certified in NIOSH labs. These respirators are used in industries, such as healthcare, mining, fire services & emergency response, and military, which is expected to augment the segment growth.

The Supplied Air Respirators (SARs) segment is estimated to witness the fastest CAGR of 8.4% from 2019 to 2028. These respirators are primarily used in hazardous environments or Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) situations. The growth of the chemical, pharmaceutical, and oil & gas industries in Asia Pacific is expected to be the key factor boosting the demand for SARs.

Airline respirators provide long-duration respiratory protection. They consist of a full or half-mask facepiece connected by an air-supply hose to an air source. They are majorly used to assist APRs from airborne concentrations as they provide protection from a wide variety of chemicals. Airline respirators are lightweight with moderate initial costs, which is expected to increase their demand.

End-use Insights

The healthcare segment led the global RPE market and accounted for more than 47% of the global revenue share in 2020. The emergence of global infectious diseases including influenza, COVID-19, and Ebola has boosted the adoption of RPE in the healthcare sector, which is projected to drive the market over the forecast period.

Employees from the oil & gas industry are expected to wear protective respirators when the engineering and work practice control measures are not adequate, to prevent contamination of the atmosphere. Favorable regulations by the NIOSH and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) pertaining to employee safety are expected to augment the demand for RPE over the forecast period.

The pharmaceutical segment is expected to register the fastest CAGR of 9.3% over the forecast period. The pharmaceutical industry has been associated with a large number of biohazards and chemical hazards. Increasing demand for APRs in the pharmaceutical industry to avoid inhalation of toxic drugs is expected to drive the segment growth.

The mining industry is characterized by exposure to various particulates including organic vapors and gases, which can cause harm to the human body. Air-purifying respirators with a cartridge are one of the commonly used respirators in the mining industry to avoid exposure to contaminants in mines, which supports the market growth.

Regional Insights

Europe led the market with over 35% of the global revenue share in 2020. Stringent regulations pertaining to personal protective equipment (PPE) by the European Commission have augmented the market growth. Moreover, the growing construction industry and government funding for infrastructure development coupled with increasing penetration of RPE in the construction industry is expected to drive the RPE market over the forecast period.

Rising investments in the construction, manufacturing, and food & beverage sectors are anticipated to drive the demand for RPE in the Asia Pacific region. Stringent norms regarding employee health and safety in various high-risk activities are also expected to drive the demand for RPE over the forecast period.

The product demand in North America is estimated to witness growth at a CAGR of 7.8% over the forecast period. The increasing production of natural gas and shale in the U.S. and Canada coupled with stringent norms laid by the OSHA is expected to augment the market growth.

Rising investments in exploration & production and refining capacity expansion projects in Central & South America are expected to drive the product demand in the regional oil & gas sector. Furthermore, increasing investment by automotive companies in the region for capacity expansion coupled with rising exports of various goods is expected to drive the demand for RPE over the forecast period.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Most companies are focusing on manufacturing APRs, such as disposable masks and N95 respirators, owing to their low costs and widespread application in the industrial sector. In addition, companies are partnering with raw material suppliers and automotive OEMs to fulfill the increasing demand across the globe. Major market participants are stressing on backward integration in the value chain to maintain their dominance. These companies benefit from the economies of scale and captive consumption of raw materials in addition to employing cost leadership strategies, thus leading to lower product prices than their regional competitors. Some prominent players in the global respiratory protective equipment market include:

• 3M

• Alpha Pro Tech Ltd.

• Ansell Ltd.

• Honeywell International, Inc.

• Avon Rubber p.l.c.

• MSA Safety, Inc.

• Intech Safety Pvt. Ltd.

• Delta Plus Group

• Bullard

• ILC Dover LP

• DuPont

• Kimberly-Clark Corp.

• Polison Corporation

• Uvex Safety Group

• 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 in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2028. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global respiratory protective equipment market report on the basis of product, end-use, and region:

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

  • Air-purifying Respirators (APRs)

    • 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 (SARs)

    • Self-contained Breathing Apparatus

    • Full Face Masks

    • Airline Respirators

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

  • Oil & Gas

  • Fire Services

  • Petrochemical/Chemical

  • Industrial

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • Construction

  • Healthcare

  • Mining

  • Others

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

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

    • France

    • Italy

    • Russia

    • Spain

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • Australia

    • South Korea

    • Indonesia

    • Thailand

    • Malaysia

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • South Africa

    • UAE