Respiratory Protection Equipment Market

Respiratory Protection Equipment Market Outlook (2023 to 2033)

The global respiratory protection equipment market is valued at US$ 19.09 billion in 2023. Global demand for respiratory protection equipment is predicted to increase at a steady CAGR of 6.5% and reach a market valuation of US$ 35.83 billion by the end of 2033.

Respiratory protection devices are bifurcated into air-purifying respirators (APRs) and supplied air respirators (SARs). Global demand for SARs is expected to increase rapidly at a CAGR of 7% during the next 10 years. Supplied air respirators are further segmented into self-contained breathing apparatuses and airline respirators.

In cases of negative pressure and when powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) are insufficient for protection, particularly in dangerous locations, supplied air respirators are widely utilized. Demand for SARs is growing quickly due to the rapid development of the pharmaceutical, chemical, and oil & gas industries, especially in the Asia Pacific region.

Sales of self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs) are boosting as a result of frequent wildfires in Australia and the United States and as a result of increasing financing for firefighting services. Furthermore, over the projection period, surface growth and underground mining operations are expected to drive up demand for SCBAs.

Global sales of air-purifying respirators are anticipated to evolve at 6% CAGR during the forecast period. Air-purifying respirators are further classified into unpowered air-purifying respirators such as disposable half masks, reusable half masks, full face masks, and powered air-purifying respirators such as helmets, hoods & visors.

The COVID-19 outbreak significantly contributed to respiratory protective equipment market growth globally and continues to do so with various governments pushing people to practice good personal hygiene. Masks are being used as protective barriers to minimize or limit the risks of cross-contamination between doctors and patients due to the exponentially growing number of cases around the world.

Due to the increasing demand for air-purifying respirators from the medical and pharmaceutical industries, air-purifying respirators are predicted to experience rapid growth. Through cartridges, filters, or canisters, air-purifying respirators assist in removing gases, vapours, aerosols, or a mixture of pathogens from the air.

Respiratory protection equipment (RPE) is a type of personal protective equipment (PPE) that shields individuals from breathing dangerous compounds found in the air. As there are more workplace risks in the manufacturing sector, there is a growing demand for PPE items such as head protection, hand protection, fall protection, eye and facial protection, and hearing protection. Growing prevalence of infectious diseases and rapid industrialization across the globe are boosting the sales of respiratory protection equipment.

Report Attributes	Details
Respiratory Protection Equipment Market Size (2023E)	US$ 19.09 Billion
Forecasted Market Value (2033F)	US$ 35.83 Billion
Global Market Growth Rate (2023 to 2033)	6.5% CAGR
China Market Growth Rate (2023 to 2033)	10.5% CAGR
Japan Market Growth Rate (2023 to 2033)	3.5% CAGR
Germany Market Growth Rate (2023 to 2033)	4% CAGR
Canada Market Growth Rate (2023 to 2033)	6% CAGR
Key Companies Profiled	3M Company; Aero Pro; Alpha Pro Tech; Ansell Ltd.; Avon Protection (Avon Rubber); Bio-Medical Devices International; Bullard; MSA Safety Incorporated; Delta Plus Group; Drägerwerk AG & CO. KGAA; DuPont de Nemours, Inc.; Dynamic Safety International; Gentex Corporation; Globus EMEA FZE; Greenline; Honeywell International Inc.; ILC Dover; Intech; Johnson Controls; Moldex-Metric; Ocenco, Incorporated; Polison Corporation; Prestige Ameritech; Venus Safety & Health

Why is Demand for Respiratory Protection Equipment Gaining Traction?

“Recent New Developments in COVID-19 Crisis”

The COVID-19 outbreak is having a beneficial impact on the demand for protective respiratory equipment since mask and respirator demand has increased dramatically. In hospital settings, N95 and PAPR respirators are both widely used.

Many nations view COVID-19 as a high-risk occupational danger for healthcare workers. To combat COVID-19, businesses are investing in the development of new product portfolios.

• For example, 3M created a unique powered-air purifying respirator (PAPR) to lower exposure to airborne particulates.

The health stability of a nation is determined by the health and well-being of its healthcare workforce system. Additionally, taking into account the current circumstances, the incidence of COVID-19 cases is rising quickly in various countries around the world, such as China and Japan, which is driving up demand for RPEs.

“Increasing Use of Respiratory Safety Equipment at Workplaces”

Several hazards can be considerably reduced by adopting respiratory personal protection equipment. Employees are protected from occupational accidents or health risks by personal protective equipment, such as RPE.

Depending on the risk of exposure at the workplace, PPE includes diverse protection devices meant to protect different parts of the human body. Employers actively guarantee that staff members are provided with effective respiratory safety equipment as occupational health awareness among employees grows. This enables them to protect their employees and minimize losses in revenue typically brought on by medical bills, workers' compensation fees, and lost production time.

Companies in the respiratory protection equipment market are taking note of the rising demand for this protective gear and acting to meet the needs of workers' safety.

“Strict Safety Regulations in Industries”

Various workers need respirators if they have to work in an atmosphere with insufficient oxygen or harmful dust, fogs, mists, flames, fumes, liquids, vapours, or sprays. Where toxic compounds are prevalent in the workplace and engineering controls are inefficient for limiting or removing them, these health concerns can result in cancer, respiratory impairment, other ailments, or death. Numerous ozone-producing respirators can also be used to guard against oxygen-poor environments.

When workers are required to use respirators to protect themselves from workplace risks, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates businesses to establish and execute an effective respiratory safety system. Workers must wear the proper respirator and adhere to the respiratory safety program.

The guideline covers the requirements for administering the programme, the choice of respirator, worksite-specific protocols, training of employees, efficient analysis, respirator use, cleanliness, and more. Rigid engineering controls must be installed by personnel wearing respirators, whenever possible.

The employee's safety tools must be properly selected, used, and maintained in a particular work environment and contamination. As a result, companies are required to train employees in all parts of the respiratory health programme.

What Can Hamper Respiratory Protection Equipment Sales?

“Lack of Knowledge and Improper Use of Respiratory Safety Equipment”

The workplace environments, work methods, and working situations where employees may be exposed to harmful particles should all be improved. Workers should wear sufficient protective equipment if it is practicable to do so to prevent several occupational respiratory disorders brought on by exposure to dangerous dust compounds and pathogens at work.

Management has been described in numerous cases of occupational respiratory disorders brought on by incorrect use and respiratory health. Due to the overuse or underuse of respiratory protection equipment, cases of acute and chronic respiratory illnesses have been documented. Due to improper usage and management of the RPE, acute toxicity and respiratory illnesses such as pneumoconiosis and lung cancer may grow rapidly over the coming years.

The number of people receiving a pneumoconiosis diagnosis is rising at the same time. Therefore, it is crucial to improve the precautions against exposure to dust. Industrial workers suffer several fatal injuries from asphyxiation or chemical poisoning due to inadequate training and knowledge of the use of respiratory equipment.

Country-wise Analysis

What is the Demand Outlook for Respiratory Protection Equipment in the United States?

“Presence of Leading Companies and Advanced Healthcare Infrastructure”

The National Council of Textile Organization and businesses such as Honeywell and Parkdale Mills have contributed to the development of a domestic respirators/masks capacity that is cost-effective and numbers in the hundreds of millions in the United States.

To better protect healthcare workers performing medical procedures that expose them to patients’ respiratory secretions, Honeywell, for instance, increased its production capacity in Phoenix in March 2020 and produced N95 face masks in assistance to the United States government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result of improved respiratory protection equipment legislation and rising public awareness regarding the use of such protective equipment, the United States currently maintains a lucrative share in the North American respiratory protective equipment market. The sales growth is also increasing as a result of high healthcare spending and the broad use of respiratory protection gear in the armed forces and law enforcement.

Major companies operating in the country also have a well-established direct channel partnership with hospitals and clinics, which helps in boosting the demand for healthcare protective equipment.

How are Sales of Respiratory Protection Equipment Progressing in the United Kingdom & Germany?

“Growing Incidence of Respiratory Illnesses”

In hospitals and healthcare institutions across Europe, including the United Kingdom and Germany, the usage of respiratory medical devices is anticipated to increase significantly. The demand for respiratory protection devices is increasing due to several initiatives by various organizations, such as the European Academy of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, to raise awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other respiratory disorders, such as asthma.

Research from the University of Edinburgh indicates that by 2030, the cost of treating COPD in England is anticipated to surpass 2.5 billion euros. This shows the potential for the respiratory protective equipment business in the United Kingdom and is a sign of rising health spending on treating respiratory illnesses.

Additionally, the existence of businesses such as Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA in Germany is boosting sales growth. Seattle PAP, a patented invention for the treatment of respiratory distress symptoms in infants and children, is produced by the company using technologies that are both economical and efficient. In addition, the business has been making large investments in its growth plans. It is anticipated that the growth techniques used by these businesses will support market growth in Germany.

Which Prime Factor is Boosting Demand for RPE in Japan & China?

“Rapidly Rising Cases of COVID-19”

Over the projection period, the market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to increase at the quickest growth rate. The RPE demand in the region is predicted to increase due to the growing investments in the building, manufacturing, and food and beverage industries.

During the forecast period, the demand for protective equipment in Asia Pacific nations such as Japan, China, India, and South Korea is anticipated to be driven by strict regulations surrounding employee health and safety in various high-risk activities. The rapidly increasing cases of COVID-19 in Japan, China, and other surrounding nations are currently boosting the sales of respiratory protection equipment.

Category-wise Analysis

Why is Use of Respiratory Protective Equipment High in the Healthcare Sector?

“Growing Prevalence of Contagious Diseases”

Healthcare holds a dominant share of the respiratory equipment market. The use of protective respiratory equipment is encouraged in the healthcare industry due to the rapid spread of infectious diseases including COVID-19, influenza A (H1N1), and the Ebola virus. The demand for RPE is increasing as people are becoming more concerned about the safety of healthcare during the pandemic.

Sales of protective equipment are anticipated to be fuelled by rapid industrialization in countries such as India, Malaysia, China, and Vietnam as well as ongoing advancements in occupational health and safety norms. Additionally, several technological developments and rising global demand for surgical procedures are driving RPE sales.

Competitive Landscape

To gain global market domination, key players in the respiratory protective equipment market are manufacturing products with unique features including powered air-purifying respirators with automatic filters. The major companies are employing strategies such as improvements in product standards, development of digital respiratory devices, and advancing supply chain management & quality control.

Businesses are focusing more on local supply strategies such as pricing trends of personal protective equipment. The WHO recently urged businesses and governments to enhance the manufacturing of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) in response to the coronavirus pandemic crisis to fulfil the rising worldwide demand for RPE.

• In April 2020, to boost the production of filters used in 3M air-purifying respirators, the engine provider Cummins Inc. and 3M announced their collaboration. The PAPR filters are made by Cummins Inc. personnel using tools intended for manufacturing diesel engine filters according to a 3M design.
• The D-TECH face mask and ANDRITZ's respiratory mask production line, which includes duckbill and flat fold respirators, were both introduced in July 2020.

Start-up Update :

• Circadia Health was established in 2016 and has its headquarters in London, England, although conducting a majority of its business in the United States. Its Circadia C100 device, which is AI-powered, is put at a patient's bedside and enables continuous, remote, medical-grade breathing monitoring. In June 2020, it obtained a 510(k) notification from the FDA.

Segments of Respiratory Protection Equipment Industry Research

• By Type:

  • Air-purifying Respirators
    • Unpowered Air-purifying Respirators
    • Powered Air-purifying Respirators
  • Supplied Air Respirators
    • Self-contained Breathing Apparatuses
    • Airline Respirators

• End User:

  • Healthcare
  • Industrial
  • Oil & Gas
  • Mining
  • Construction
  • Petrochemicals/Chemicals
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Military & Aviation
  • Public Services
  • Consumers

• By Region:

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Europe
  • East Asia
  • South Asia & Oceania
  • MEA