Market Trends of Medical Protective Equipment Industry
The Surgical Masks Segment is Expected to Show Lucrative Opportunity in the Market During the Forecast Period
- A surgical mask is a disposable, loose-fitting device that is a physical barrier between the wearer's mouth and nose, protecting against potential contamination in the immediate area. It also helps to reduce the exposure of saliva and secretions to others. Surgical masks are particularly crucial in medical settings, where doctors and nurses attending to patients must wear them.
- The demand for surgical masks has increased significantly due to the many global surgeries. For example, in Germany, an article published by the Journal of Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery in October 2022 reported that 92.8 thousand heart surgeries were performed in 2021. This high number of surgeries has driven the demand for surgical masks in the country, leading to the growth of this segment.
- Additionally, introducing new products is expected to drive the growth of the surgical mask market. For instance, in May 2022, Honeywell launched two new NIOSH-certified respiratory offerings, namely the DC365 and RU8500X series masks, to meet the needs of healthcare workers. These new products have expanded Honeywell's protective equipment portfolio, thereby driving the growth of this segment. In summary, the increase in surgical procedures, the high distribution of surgical masks globally, and new product launches are expected to drive the growth of the surgical mask segment during the forecast period.
North America is Expected to Witness a Significant Growth in the Market During the Forecast Period
- North America is poised to experience significant growth during the forecast period due to rising awareness among the population regarding the use of medical protective equipment. In addition, high levels of air pollution, government initiatives, and product launches are driving the growth of the market in the region.
- The more significant percentage of surgical procedures also contributes to the market's growth, driving the demand for medical protective equipment. For instance, per the data published by the Canadian Institute for Health Information in April 2024, in Canada, 66% of patients underwent hip replacement surgery, 59% opted for knee replacement surgery, and a significant 94% underwent radiation therapy, all within a 26-week timeframe in 2023. As a result, the significantly high percentage of surgical procedures is boosting the demand for surgical masks and gloves and contributing to the market growth in the region.
- Moreover, increasing initiatives in North American countries, such as the distribution of surgical masks, are also driving the market's growth. For instance, in December 2022, the New York City Health Commissioner distributed 3.6 million KN95 face masks to elderly individuals and pregnant women to avoid exposure to respiratory viruses. Thus, these initiatives are driving the market's growth and contributing to the market's growth in the region.
- Additionally, new product manufacturing by crucial market players contributes to the growth of the market. For instance, in April 2023, Armbrust American, a medical manufacturing company, initiated the production of nitrile gloves in the United States. This move marks the company's commitment to establishing itself as one of the critical providers of American-manufactured medical goods. Thus, new product manufacturing is expected to increase the availability of medical protective equipment, thereby boosting the market growth in the region during the forecast period.