Respiratory Protection Equipment Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2023-2028)

The respiratory protection equipment market is projected to register a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period.

The COVID-19 outbreak spiked the demand for healthcare protective equipment due to the high number of cases globally. Several regulatory organizations have recommended various companies and governments to increase their manufacturing capacity of respiratory protective equipment, including respirators and breathing apparatuses, which boosted the market during the pandemic. According to the CDC, in December 2022, the highly-contagious Omicron subvariant XBB was estimated for 18.3% of the COVID-19 cases in the United States, an increase from 11.2% in the past week. Hence, the rising number of new cases of COVID-19 increased the demand for respiratory protection equipment. This rising demand may also drive the market in the coming years.

The growing burden of the pandemic and other epidemic diseases, increasing demand for surgical procedures, including minimally invasive procedures, and increasing importance given to workplace safety are some of the factors driving the overall market's growth. For instance, as per the WHO report published in December 2022, FluNet received data from the National Influenza Centers (NICs) and other national influenza laboratories of 130 nations, regions, or territories between November 28 and December 11, 2022. Over 447,351 samples were analyzed by the WHO GISRS laboratories throughout this period. There were 81,619 influenza virus positives, out of which 79,209 (97%) were influenza A and 2,410 (3%) were influenza B. About 11,791 (71.4%) and 4,722 (28.6%) of the sub-typed influenza A viruses were influenza A (H1N1 and H3N2, respectively). These figures indicate the high burden of influenza, which requires proper respiratory protection using equipment. This factor is expected to drive the market over the forecast period.

In February 2022, Nelson Labs launched the Nelson Labs Mark, a verification program for product testing that authenticates test reports and provides reliable data on product performance. The new offering empowers consumers to make informed decisions when purchasing face masks and respirators and provides credible manufacturers with the means to differentiate their products from others in the market.

However, the high cost of respirators and presence of substandard respirators and issues regarding disposal and reusability of equipment are expected to hinder the growth of the market.

Key Market Trends

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.

Competitive Landscape

The respiratory protective equipment market is fragmented and competitive, with the presence of several major players. In terms of market share, a few of the major players are currently dominating the market, including 3M, AlphaProTech, Bullard, Delta Plus Group, Dragerwerk AG & Company KGaA, Gentex Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., Moldex-Metric, MSA Safety Incorporated, Prestige Ameritech, and Uvex Group.

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