Respiratory Protective Equipment Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Air Purifying Respirators, Supplied Air Respirators), By End-use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Report Overview

The global respiratory protective equipment market size was valued at USD 14.83 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6% from 2023 to 2030. The growing awareness about worker safety and stringent government regulations are expected to have a positive impact on the industry's growth. The demand for disposable masks during the COVID-19 pandemic surged significantly, requiring manufacturers to boost their production capacity. Furthermore, supply chain interruptions resulted in a lack of raw materials, causing prices to skyrocket. EPR manufacturers also began producing revolutionary solutions to combat the pandemic, which boosted the industry's growth. Worker safety has gained prominence in various end-use industries along with sustainability.

Various organizations, such as OSHA, NIOSH, and EPA, in the U.S. have updated the regulations making them more stringent, compelling companies to provide PPE. This is expected to increase demand for RPE over the forecast period. N95 masks and surgical masks propelled the growth of the air-purifying respirators segment due to their widespread use by employees and workers across various sectors. An increase in employee safety training and focus on best safety practices are key factors likely to have a long-term impact on the respiratory protective equipment (RPE) industry.

Several governments have been focusing on infrastructure development through financial stimulus packages, which are expected to boost the construction industry worldwide. The growing infrastructure activities will likely bring up chronic respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), augmenting the demand for RPE. Manufacturing of RPE is highly capital-intensive owing to the high raw material costs and complex manufacturing methods. This has resulted in integration across the value chain by major raw material suppliers and functional material manufacturers to produce cost-efficient products and related accessories, discouraging new players and making the threat of new entrants low.

Product Insights

Air-purifying respirators (APR) led the global market and accounted for more than 64.6% of the overall revenue share in 2022. The widespread demand for disposable masks, such as N95 and surgical masks, during the pandemic, has been a critical factor responsible for the segment’s high share. The segment is expected to retain its dominance over the forecast period. The demand for N95 and surgical masks, especially for first responders, healthcare workers, and the general public, is expected to continue post-pandemic on account of the realization that masks are the primary source of protection. Half-mask APRs are used in industries such as healthcare, mining, fire services & emergency response, and the military.

The supplied air respirators (SARs) segment is estimated to witness steady growth from 2022 to 2030. These respirators are primarily used in cases of negative pressure and when PAPRs do not provide adequate protection, especially in hazardous environments. The growth of the chemical, pharmaceutical, and oil & gas industries in the Asia Pacific region is expected to be the critical factor driving the demand for SARs. Repeated instances of wildfires in the U.S. and Australia, along with a rise in funding for firefighting services, have increased the demand for Self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA). Moreover, an increase in surface and underground mining operations will likely boost the demand for SCBA over the forecast period.

End-Use Insights

The healthcare segment led the market and accounted for over 22.4% of the global revenue in 2022. The emergence of global infectious diseases, including COVID-19, Influenza A (H1N1), and Ebola virus, promote the use of protective respiratory equipment in the healthcare sector, which is projected to drive industry growth over the forecast period. The growing awareness about worker safety during the pandemic increased product demand from the industrial end-use segment. Rapid industrialization in countries including China, India, Malaysia, and Vietnam, along with continuous improvement in occupational health and safety standards, is expected to drive the segment over the forecast period.

To revive the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, governments have been giving out financial stimuli to boost infrastructure development. Employees working in the construction industry are exposed to respiratory hazards, including silica dust, lead dust, and silica vapors, among others, due to which the RPE market in the construction industry is expected to grow at a steady CAGR over the forecast period. The mining industry is characterized by exposure to various particulates, including organic vapors and gases, which can cause harm to the human body. The industry promotes using respirators to avoid the health issues caused by exposure to silica and other metal dust. Air-purifying respirators with a cartridge are commonly used respirators in the mining industry to avoid exposure to contaminants in mines.

Regional Insights

North America led the global market and accounted for more than 29.6% of the global revenue in 2022. The increasing use of RPE in oil & gas drilling activities, electric power utility, and combustible dust industries has contributed to product penetration in the region over the past few years. Furthermore, stringent safety regulations are expected to be the key factors driving the market in North America over the forecast period. The strong presence of oil & gas reserves in Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, and Columbia is expected to have a positive impact on the industry. In addition, the high potential of tight oil & gas in the Vaca Muerta field of Argentina is expected to boost the demand for new oil & gas refineries.

This, in turn, is expected to boost product demand over the forecast period. The market in Asia Pacific is estimated to witness the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. The rising investments in the construction, manufacturing, and food & beverage sectors are anticipated to drive the product demand in the region. Stringent norms regarding employee health and safety in various high-risk activities are expected to drive product demand over the forecast period. An increasing number of respiratory hazards coupled with the growing requirement for highly effective RPE due to exposure to hazardous particulates in the majority of core industries, such as metal manufacturing, oil & gas, automotive, and refining, is expected to augment the product demand in Europe over the forecast period.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic has created significant growth opportunities in the disposable filtering half-masks market, due to which key players focus on the healthcare segment. Moreover, evolving supply chains with an influx of technology and growing partnerships with raw material suppliers are expected to boost the industry's growth. Market players invest in product development with a renewed focus on technological integration. Increasing market competition due to the pandemic has resulted in price wars and hoarding of raw materials & products, which will likely affect the industry trade in the short term. Some prominent players in the global respiratory protective equipment market include:

• 3M

• Alpha Pro Tech Limited

• Ansell Ltd.

• Honeywell International Inc.

• Avon Rubber p.l.c.

• MSA Safety Incorporated

• Intech Safety Pvt. Ltd.

• Delta Plus Group

• Bullard

• ILC Dover LP

• DuPont

• Kimberly-Clark Corporation

• Polison Corporation

• Uvex Safety Group

• Gateway Safety, Inc.

Recent Developments

• In June 2022, Avon Protection Plc, formerly known as Avon Rubber Plc, unveiled a range of EXOSKIN^TM CBRN gloves and boots that act as respiratory protective equipment for military personnel

• In May 2022, 3M announced its plan to make expansions in its operation in Valley, Nebraska. The purpose is to enhance the production of hearing and respiratory protection products

• In August 2021, Bullard introduced the SALUS-HC which is an air purifying respiratory protective equipment to provide public and healthcare safety for workers

• In January 2021, MSA Safety Inc. acquired UK-based Bristol Uniforms to provide firefighters with reliable and innovative respiratory protective equipment

Respiratory Protective Equipment Market Report Scope

Global Respiratory Protective Equipment Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional & country levels and provides an analysis of the industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. 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, 2018 - 2030)

  • Air Purifying Respirators (APR)

    • Unpowered Air-Purifying Respirators

      • Disposable Filtering Half Mask Respirator

        • N95 Mask

        • Surgical Mask

        • Others

      • 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

    • Self-contained Breathing Apparatus

    • Full Face Masks

    • Airline Respirators

• End-Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Oil & Gas

  • Fire services

  • Petrochemical/chemical

  • Industrial

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • Construction

  • Healthcare

  • Mining

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Russia

    • Spain

    • UK

  • Asia Pacific

    • Australia

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • South Korea

    • Indonesia

    • Thailand

    • Malaysia

  • Central & South America

    • Argentina

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • South Africa

    • UAE