Respiratory Protective Equipment Market Size By Product (Air Purifying Respirator [Unpowered {Disposable Half Mask, Reusable Half Mask, Full Face Mask}, Powered {Half Face Mask, Full Face Mask, Helmets, Hoods & Visors}], Supplied Air Respirator [Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, Airline Respirator]), By Application (Industrial, Medical & Healthcare, Military & Aviation, Public Service), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2017 – 2024

Industry Trends

Respiratory Protective Equipment Market size was estimated over USD 5.5 billion in 2016 and the industry will grow by a CAGR of more than 7% up to 2024.
 

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Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is a kind of a personal protective equipment (PPE) which is utilized by the workers to protect themselves from the inhalation of hazardous substances present in the surrounding air. These equipments are being employed by a variety of manufacturing companies engaged in the production of chemicals, food products, pulp & paper mills, metalworking plants, construction activities, textile mills, etc. Rising industrial activities in Asia Pacific is likely to propel the product demand in the upcoming years. This equipment helps in providing safety against different toxic substances including chemicals, gases, sprays, solvents, etc. Growing concerns over hazardous workplace in this region is likely to drive the industry growth in the coming years.
 

Rising automotive demand in the developing countries around the world have positively influenced the demand for different activities such as painting, welding, and sandblasting. Such industrial operations pose a substantial amount of risk to the operators’ health due to the release of harmful gases with high metal contents. The ambient environment for such operations are rich in many hazardous agents including asbestos, silica and lead dust, manganese and arsenic compounds, volatile organic compounds, etc.  The RPEs are widely popular among the operators working in such environments in order to ensure their safety and good health.
 

Although this equipment is gaining considerable attention in the end-user industries, the challenges associated with high price of the product is likely to slow down the respiratory protective equipment market growth in the coming years. Heavy duty respiratory protective equipment used in the industrial sector such as construction, oil & gas, mining, etc. are comparatively costlier than the conventional masks. However, increasing safety standards and regulations related to workspaces are likely to make the product use mandatory in next few years.
 

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Respiratory Protective Equipment Market, By Product

On the basis of product, the global market is segmented into air purifying respirator (APR), supplied air respirator (SPR) and others. Supplied air respiratory protective equipment are likely to hold more than 40% share of overall industry throughout the forecast time period. These products are extensively employed in the applications of contaminated, toxic and harmful environments, which requires clean air for breathing. These products are further sub-segmented into airline respirators and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). SCBA are primarily utilized by the firefighting professionals for rescuing humans during emergency situation.
 

Analysis By Application

The major applications segments in the global respiratory protective equipment market share are medical & healthcare, industrial, public service, military & aviation, and others. Medical & healthcare sector generated a market revenue of more than USD 1 billion in 2016 and will grow at a significant rate in the coming years. This is due to growing usage of air purifying disposables and respiratory masks in the pharmaceutical industry. These products are extensively used by the pharmaceutical industry during manufacturing of a variety of drugs to protect workers from the hazardous chemicals including phenols, aromatic chemicals, preservatives, excipients, dust particles, etc. generated during the dosage formulation.
 

Military & aviation segment is likely to grow at more than 6% rate in the coming years. RPEs are widely utilized by the soldiers to protect themselves from the hazardous gases, pollutants, dust, toxic fumes, etc. during war conditions.
 

Regional Insights

In terms of volume, North America held more than 34% share in the global respiratory protective equipment market size owing to increasing product usage in treating patients with the critical condition. Rising government expenditure towards healthcare and medical sector in the U.S. is likely to drive the industry growth in the upcoming years. Additionally, stringent OSHA regulations related to worker safety is also a key factor responsible in driving product demand in the region.
 

Another key region in the market is Europe which is likely to grow by a CAGR of more than 6% over the study period. The key reasons that are driving the industry growth in Europe are rising work related safety and growth in industrial activities. European Union has also provided regulations to enhance the usage of respiratory protective equipment in the region.
 

Competitive Market Share

Key players in the RPE market share include 3M, Delta Plus Group, Honeywell International Inc, Alpha Pro Tech, Mine Safety Appliances (MSA), RPB Safety LLC, The Gerson Company, Bullard, Kimberley Clark Corporation, Uvex Safety Group and Scandia Gear.
 

These companies are entering into strategic mergers and acquisitions with each other to build competitiveness, increase existing portfolio and expand market presence. For instance, 3M completed the acquisition of Scott Safety, a part of Johnson control, for a transaction value amounting to around USD 2 billion in 2017. This strategic action is likely to strengthen 3M’s offerings in the personal safety category in coming years.
 

Industry Background

Respiratory protective equipment is extensively utilized by workers in industries to protect themselves from a variety of toxic chemical substances, solvents, gases, sprays, etc. This equipment is available in the form of visors, masks, helmets, hoods, face pieces, etc. Growing regulations related to health and work-related safety will positively affect the product demand in the coming years. Growing industrialization in the emerging countries of Asia Pacific are likely to drive the market growth in the coming years.