Market Trends of Personal Protective Equipment Industry
Surgical Masks and N95 Respirators to Experience Significant Growth
- Surgical masks serve as personal protective equipment, shielding wearers from airborne particles and liquid contaminants. According to a NIOSH study, about 78% of participants reported using surgical masks for various hazards, with applications noted at 14% for ribavirin and exceeding 90% for surgical smoke. The N95 respirator, a respiratory protective device, is engineered to ensure a tight facial fit while providing highly efficient filtration of airborne particles.
- Surgical masks are commonly employed in scenarios requiring respiratory protection, such as when compounding or administering antineoplastic drugs or near surgical smoke. Although surgical masks effectively block splashes and large droplets, their inability to filter out tiny particles from coughs, sneezes, or specific medical procedures renders them unsuitable for multiple uses.
- N95 Respirators, akin to the European FFP2 and FFP3 standard masks, are optimal for safeguarding the nose and mouth from virus-laden particles. The onset of COVID-19 made face masks a common sight, extending beyond hospitals to all public venues. This surge in mask usage by the general populace resulted in significant supply shortages, particularly for frontline healthcare workers, a situation highlighted in reports from numerous nations.
- Players in the market have expanded their presence through various strategies. For instance, in March 2024, Detmold Medical, initially pivoting to face mask production during the COVID-19 pandemic, unveiled its latest offerings: the Tri-Panel Respirators (as showcased in the image) and an innovative Surgical Mask with Visor. Crafted in the company's cutting-edge laboratory, these masks meet local and international standards, ensuring splash resistance and optimal performance. The newly introduced Surgical Visor features a pleated L3 surgical mask, secure attachment ties, and a fog-treated integrated anti-glare visor.
- Moreover, in March 2024, ResMed unveiled its latest innovation, the AirFit F40, an ultra-compact full-face mask tailored for sleep apnea patients. ResMed crafted the AirFit F40 to deliver the comfort typically associated with smaller masks, all while ensuring top-notch performance. This advancement is poised to enhance therapy compliance for users relying on high-pressure continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatments.
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North America is Expected to Hold Significant Market Share
- Companies responding to stringent government regulations on worker safety have increasingly adopted personal protective equipment (PPE) to avert workplace fatalities. Additionally, heightened demand from the healthcare sector and a growing awareness of COVID-19 prevention bolstered sales in the regional PPE market.
- The demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) in the United States has surged, driven by the expansion of sectors, including manufacturing, construction, and mining. This increased demand directly responds to the necessity of safeguarding workers and mitigating risks associated with accidents or exposure to hazardous materials.
- The rising incidence of workplace accidents in the United States has become a significant concern for employers and the government. US regulatory authorities and occupational health organizations have implemented stringent safety regulations and guidelines in response to the heightened focus on worker safety and public health. Consequently, the importance of PPE kits in industrial sectors has been significantly emphasized.
- For instance, OSHA mandates that personal protective equipment (PPE) adhere to specific standards across various sectors, including general industry, maritime, and construction. These standards, often aligned with those set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), underscore the importance of safe design and construction for all PPE. Specifically, eye and face protection in the workplace must either meet referenced standards or demonstrate efficacy equivalent to following standards:
- ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2010 Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices
- ANSI Z87.1-2003 Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices
- ANSI Z87.1-1989 (R-1998) Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly hindered the growth of personal protective equipment in different industrial sectors, mainly due to a decline in infrastructure development and installation projects. On the contrary, with the increasing digitization of the world, personal protective equipment (PPE) is also evolving.
- Moreover, the United States has a presence of principal market players engaged in manufacturing PPE. The likes of 3M Co., MSA Safety Inc., Ansell Limited, Honeywell International Inc., EI DuPont de Nemours and Co., Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Lakeland Industries Inc., and Radians Inc. are also promoting the growth of the market in the region.
- The rising incidence of workplace accidents, coupled with the demand for durable mechanical wear resistance and protective gear across industries such as oil and gas, automotive, refining, and metal manufacturing, is set to propel trends in the personal protective equipment market. Heightened workplace hazards, combined with a stringent regulatory framework from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to ensure employee safety, are expected to boost market growth in North America.
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