Asia Pacific Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) Market - Forecasts from 2023 to 2028

The Asia Pacific powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) market is projected to witness a compound annual growth rate of 9.89%, growing to US$113.172 million by 2028 from US$58.487 million in 2021.

Medical workers and professionals are exposed to various chemicals and blood or bodily fluid pollution; hence air-purifying respirators are frequently utilized in this industry. Due to the increasing demand from the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, air-purifying respirators are predicted to see rapid growth. Additionally, the growing focus on safety procedures in the industrial setting due to an increasing number of industrial fatalities in the region's expanding economies like China and India will likely create good growth revenue generation opportunities for the manufacturers.

Powerful air purifying respirators (PAPR) are increasingly in demand from various sectors, including oil and gas, petrochemical, industrial, and others. Further, the market is anticipated to be driven by an increase in large-scale infrastructure projects, including refineries and infrastructure projects.

Strict government regulations for worker safety are accelerating the adoption of PAPR solutions.

Employees in the healthcare industry are subject to several health and safety dangers, including exposure to biological and blood-borne diseases, waste anesthetic gas, and possible chemical and medication exposures. As PAPR guards against these risks, the healthcare sector significantly needs these products. Firefighters are exposed to several hazardous and carcinogenic compounds produced as combustion byproducts when a fire occurs. Firms are being forced to prioritize worker safety due to increased fires and blowouts and strict safety regulations, especially in regions like Japan and China. For instance, the Chinese Academy for Environmental Planning has various norms for people working in hazardous sites like oil and gas, mining, or healthcare.

Furthermore, air-filtering respirators are routinely worn in mines and mining operations. These hazard-specific respirators employ cartridges to protect against certain pollutants. Each mining worker must wear a respirator to protect themselves from contagious infections. NIOSH, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health - India, states that the respirator worn at work must adhere to 42 CFR Part 84 requirements. Solutions to health and safety problems are required for miners in all sorts of mines, including those for metal, industrial minerals, crushed stone, coal, and sand and gravel.

The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), part of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Safety and Health Statistics (OSHS) program in India which counts all fatalities resulting from workplace injuries occurring in the mining sector to the healthcare segment. The injuries while working in the mining segment are more than 11.5% of the overall segment. People working underground are exposed to various chemicals, gases, and many more. Along with safety equipment, the need for safety masks is also increasing for them. In the coming years, many sectors are expected to have stringent government regulations to reduce their workers' risk of life-threatening diseases.

The use of PAPRs is imperative in the construction industry regarding safety regulations and increasing awareness of health risks. There is a growing awareness of the health risks associated with exposure to hazardous substances in the construction industry, including silica dust, asbestos fibers, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This awareness drives the demand for PAPRs as they offer higher respiratory protection, reducing the risk of respiratory illnesses and long-term health issues. Furthermore, the construction industry is subject to stringent safety regulations and standards to protect workers from respiratory hazards, such as dust, fumes, and other airborne contaminants. Compliance with these regulations drives the adoption of PAPRs as an effective means of respiratory protection.

The PAPR market has witnessed significant technological advancements, leading to the development of more efficient, lightweight, and comfortable PAPR systems. These advancements have made PAPRs more suitable for the construction industry, where workers often require prolonged use of respiratory protection. On the other hand, the Asia Pacific region is experiencing rapid urbanization and infrastructure development, leading to an increase in construction activities. This surge in construction projects creates a greater demand for respiratory protection, including PAPRs, to safeguard workers' health in potentially hazardous environments.

Demand from majorly populated countries like India is anticipated to boost market growth.

Firstly, the healthcare sector is a major user of PAPRs in India, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the demand for PAPRs in this sector. With healthcare workers at high risk of contracting the virus, there has been a surge in demand for PAPRs to protect them from exposure to airborne contaminants. Secondly, the Indian pharmaceutical industry is one of the largest users of PAPRs in the country. According to a study published in the Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, workers in the pharmaceutical industry are exposed to various hazardous substances, and the use of PAPRs can provide adequate respiratory protection.

Market Developments:

• The "Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code (OSH Code)," introduced in 2020, mandates the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in various industries. The code outlines the responsibility of employers to provide PPE, including respiratory protection equipment like PAPRs, to their employees in hazardous working conditions.
• In 2021, Honeywell International Inc. launched a new range of PAPRs designed to meet the respiratory protection needs of workers in the construction industry. These PAPRs offer enhanced comfort, improved visibility, and superior respiratory protection.

Market Segmentation :

By Facepiece Type

• Full Facepiece
• Half mask Facepiece
• Others

By Industry Verticals

• Construction
• Mining
• Healthcare
• Oil and Gas
• Chemical
• Others

By Country

• China
• Japan
• India
• South Korea
• Indonesia
• Taiwan
• Others