Reusable Face Mask Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Material (Cotton, Nylon), By Application (Personal, Commercial), By Distribution Channel (Offline, Online), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2027

Report Overview

The global reusable face mask market size was valued at USD 1.3 billion in 2019 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.5% from 2020 to 2027. Rising adoption of face masks as a precautionary measure to protect oneself from various diseases, including anthrax, influenza, avian bird flu, swine flu, Ebola, and the recent coronavirus, has been fueling the demand for reusable face masks among consumers. There has been growing awareness among people that masks are an effective way of controlling the spread of the virus from an infected person as well as the environment, which has been an immediate factor to spur the product demand. According to a simulation done by The University of California, 80% of the population wearing masks could do more to reduce the spread of COVID-19 than any strict lockdown measures.

Additionally, factors such as an increase in air pollution, industrial emissions, vehicle emissions, urban smog, and household and farming chemicals have led to a rise in airborne diseases, such as asthma, COPD, and various respiratory and cardiovascular infections. According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) panel April 2019 report, approximately 100,000 deaths were reported due to heart attacks and allergies caused by air pollution, especially from a fine particle called PM 2.5. This is expected to support market growth to a significant extent over the forecast period.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has significantly driven the demand for reusable face masks across the globe and has led to the declaration of national emergency by approximately 50 countries, such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Morocco, and Germany, to combat coronavirus. According to the World Health Organization, wearing a face mask is highly recommended in public places as it reduces the possibility of the spread of COVID-19. Enthused by the opportunity's existence, many of the established companies pertaining to different domains as well as new companies have ventured into this market. For instance, in May 2020, taking into consideration the increased demand for masks worldwide, Adidas launched Face Cover, a reusable face mask made from a breathable recycled material, which is available on various e-commerce websites, such as Amazon, Flipkart, Adidas, and Myntra.

Rapid growth in the number of entrants, local manufacturers, and startups pertaining to reusable face masks has also led to innovation in terms of sustainability and eco-friendly options. For instance, ONZIE, an apparel company, makes reusable masks made from up-cycled bamboo fabric, which is breathable. Moreover, Naturepedic, a Cleveland-based company, produced 5000 organic masks per day for the general public amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The recent COVID-19 outbreak has positively impacted the growth of the face mask industry. An increase in the number of cases worldwide has compelled people to adopt the new normal of wearing masks in public places. The demand for reusable face masks is likely to be driven by the increasing popularity of online shopping platforms. In this respect, Amazon.com, Inc. and eBay Inc. are among the largest online players that contribute significantly to the product's distribution.

Material Insights

In terms of material, the cotton segment led the market and accounted for 69.1% share of the global revenue in 2019. Taking a comprehensive approach to stop Covid-19 transmission, governments have been updating their recommendation on the use of face masks. In June 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that people should wear a cloth face mask to avoid transmission in public places. For reusable cloth face masks, most of the companies produce face mask with two layers of tight fabrics, such as cotton, which reduce infection transfer and are naturally breathable. For instance, California Textile Group, a wholesale textile group, has announced the expansion of its product line to include cotton face masks, which have antimicrobial properties and can be customized as per consumer demand.

The nylon material segment is anticipated to expand at the fastest CAGR of 24.1% from 2020 to 2027. Prospective manufacturers are likely to focus on material innovations to secure a foothold in the market in the near future. Nylon layering provides additional protection to the mask from air pollutants, such as PM 2.5. Though the scope to achieve product differentiation in the market is limited, prospective market players focus on delivering a greater variety of patterns and fabrics in reusable face masks to target a broader range of consumers worldwide. For instance, 3M Company added a nylon stocking layer to their face mask offering and results showed that this blocked 75% of air particles.

Application Insights

In terms of application, the personal application segment led the market and accounted for 78.3% share of the global revenue in 2019. The reusable face mask has been witnessing an increase in demand among consumers for personal use as these products are washable, customizable, more durable compared to disposable or surgical masks, and come in various designs and fabrics. For instance, in April 2020, Walt Disney launched a reusable cloth face mask with Disney characters and logos, such as Marvel, Pixel, and Star Wars, which is available online and offline.

The commercial application segment is expected to witness the fastest growth in the forecast period. People associated with various industries, such as healthcare, hospitality, and food processing, require masks that fulfill specific demands in every industry and are mandatory to wear. In addition, in the midst of public protection and well-being, the manufacturing sector is enforcing strict government controls on workers in the workplaces, factories, and construction areas. For instance, in June 2020, the CDC has recommended that workers wear reusable face-covering masks in case the employer has determined that a respirator or a disposable facemask is not required based on the workplace hazard assessment.

Additionally, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to several new manufacturers entering the market. These players have been working round the clock to manufacture reusable face masks in large quantities to address the current demand for the product. For instance, Copper Compression, a manufacturer of copper-infused recovery solutions, donated 18,000 K99 copper-infused reusable face masks to health systems in New York City. These masks are washable, sustainable, and have four-layer protection to block air particulates.

Distribution Channel Insights

The offline distribution channel segment dominated the market and accounted for 62.6% share of the global revenue in 2019. Most of the brick and mortar stores have been focusing on offering a detailed description of products and offer customers a facility to choose from numerous brands before making a purchase. Increased availability of variants due to increased demand, coupled with physical verification of the mask, is a key factor driving this segment. An increasing number of manufacturers have been offering reusable masks in different designs and themes to attract customers from all walks of life. For instance, many Disney stores have been selling face masks featuring characters from popular Disney films, such as Frozen and Black Panther, and classic cartoons, like Mickey Mouse.

The online distribution channel segment is expected to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period. Rising internet penetration across the globe and target marketing done by companies through social media platforms to reach all customer touchpoints are likely to fuel the growth of this segment. In addition, as mask-wearing is becoming a common practice among people, the scope of customization and personalization in masks has been trending among many online masks manufacturers, such as Vistaprint and Contrado, which offer custom face mask with artwork and designs.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific held the largest share of more than 33.0% in 2019. Increased demand for designer reusable masks is likely to propel market growth. Major manufacturers are adopting various market strategies, including the expansion of distribution channels, in the region to expand their customer base. Vogmask, a U.S.-based company, has its presence in many countries in Asia, including China, Thailand, and India. In 2016, the company partnered with fashion designer Manish Arora to offer a new range of fashionable reusable masks in the Indian market.

North America is expected to be the fastest-growing regional market for reusable face masks over the forecast period. Most of the countries in the region, including the U.S., have become the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic and other health-related issues caused by air pollutants. The increased number of deaths due to COVID-19, coupled with an increase in the recommendation from government and health organizations, has triggered an increase in the product demand. Furthermore, with the restriction on the use of surgical masks, including N95, which are known to offer more protection against the virus to healthcare workers and other frontline workers performing medical procedures to prevent the spread of infections, the demand for reusable mask has spurred among the general public.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market for reusable face masks houses both international and domestic participants. Key market players focus on strategies, such as innovation and new product launches in retail pertaining to natural products, to enhance their portfolio offerings in the market. For instance, in March 2020, Brown Sales, an industrial sewing company, launched Deluxe Cloth Face Mask with an antimicrobial cover made of an antimicrobial fabric called Sure-Chek, which provides surface protection and easy breathability. Some prominent players in the global reusable face masks market include:

• Respro

• Moldex-Metric

• Vogmask

• idMASK

• Totobobo

• Airpop

• Kimberly Clark

• Cambridge Mask Company

• Debrief Me

• ARAX Co., LTD.

Reusable Face Mask Market Report Scope 

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at the 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 reusable face mask market report on the basis of material, application, distribution channel, and region:

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

  • Cotton

  • Nylon

  • Others

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

  • Commercial

  • Personal

• Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Offline

  • Online

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

  • North America

    • U.S.

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

    • France

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa (MEA)