Market Trends of Respiratory Protection Equipment Industry
Air-purifying Respirator is Expected to Hold a Significant Share in the Market During the Forecast Period
An air-purifying respirator uses filters, cartridges, or canisters to remove gases, vapors, aerosols, or a combination of contaminants from the air through filters, cartridges, or canisters. Air-purifying respirators are widely used in medical industries, as healthcare professionals and workers in this sector are exposed to several types of blood or body fluid contamination and chemicals. Air-purifying respirators are estimated to witness high growth due to the rising demand for these respirators from the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.
One of the major drivers of the market is the advantages of air-purifying respirators over other types of respiratory protection equipment. For instance, as per the study published by The Journal of Hospital Infection in March 2022, the CleanSpace HALO-powered air-purifying respirator was less disruptive to patient care, more comfortable to wear, and easier to use compared to existing powered air-purifying respirators. Hence, the new studies on powered air-purifying respirators reveal and expand the various advantages of the equipment with one another.
A powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) uses a blower instead of lung power to draw air through the filter. It offers integrated protection against multiple hazards, helping provide respiratory, head, face, eye, and hearing protection. Such advantages of PAPR are estimated to boost the segment's growth during the forecast period.
North America is Expected to Hold a Significant Share in the Market During the Forecast Period
North America is expected to hold significant growth in the market during the forecast period. The United States holds the largest market share in the region due to better regulations for respiratory protective equipment and growing awareness among the population regarding the use of such protective gear. The high healthcare spending and widespread consumption of respiratory protection equipment in the military and law enforcement are also contributing to the market's growth in North America. The companies also have a well-established direct channel collaboration with hospitals and clinics to serve the market studied.
The high burden of pandemic or epidemic diseases is also boosting the demand for respiratory protection equipment. For instance, as per the report published by the CDC in October 2022, the predicted total impact of influenza (flu) in the United States during the 2021-2022 season was 9 million flu illnesses, 4 million flu-related medical visits, 100,000 flu-related hospitalizations, and 5,000 flu-related fatalities. Hence, the high burden of diseases that spread through the respiratory tract may increase the demand for respiratory protection equipment and drive the market in the coming years.
Companies in the region are entering new partnerships to expand their portfolios of respiratory protection equipment. For instance, in February 2021, 3M partnered with the US Department of Homeland Security to help combat the counterfeiting of 3M N95 respirators. This collaboration has helped prevent millions of counterfeit respirators from reaching frontline workers. Hence, such new partnerships among major players are helping with the widespread adoption of respiratory protection equipment, thus driving the market.
