South America Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market Outlook, 2028

The personal protective equipment (PPE) market in South America has experienced significant growth in recent years. South America has seen an increase in the number of affected people with coronavirus. This surge has eventually led to high demand for products in the region. A large number of personal protective equipment manufacturers and technological advancement compared to other South American countries is primarily boosting the regional market of Brazil. Many countries in South America are experiencing rapid industrialization, with a growing number of workers employed in manufacturing, construction, mining, and other industries. As a result, there is an increased risk of workplace accidents and exposure to hazardous materials, making PPE essential for protecting workers' health and safety. South America is home to many industries that pose significant health hazards, such as mining and agriculture. Workers in these industries may be exposed to airborne particles, chemicals, and other hazardous substances, making respiratory protection and other forms of PPE essential. South America has also experienced outbreaks of infectious diseases in recent years, such as Zika, Dengue fever, and COVID-19. PPE, such as masks and gloves, is essential for protecting healthcare workers and other frontline workers from exposure to these diseases. Many countries in South America have implemented regulations mandating the use of PPE in certain industries and workplaces. This has increased the demand for PPE in the region and led to the growth of the PPE market. The growth of the South America PPE market is driven by the region's increasing manufacturing activities, rising trade, and employment in the manufacturing and construction sectors. Worker protection regulations and increasing awareness are also expected to drive the regional PPE market. For instance, Balaska Equimentos is the leading distributor of PPE and safety products in Brazil and a manufacturer of protective clothing, respiratory protectors, and others.

According to the research report, “South America Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market Outlook, 2028” the market is anticipated to add USD 2000 Million from 2023 to 2028. Rising workforce, strict government regulations, and strict labour laws are driving the growth of the South American PPE market during the forecast period. PPE market in the healthcare sector includes face protection, goggles, a mask or face shield, gloves, protective clothing, headgear, and rubber boots. At the same time, the motto of healthcare providers globally is to protect yourself so that you can continue to help others in order to protect themselves from potential external diseases or infectious chemicals. This includes staying current with infection prevention and control techniques, as well as properly implementing personal protective equipment (PPE); this is projected to fuel the market growth rate. However, constraints such as improper disposal of personal protective equipment for healthcare, unmet need, and a lack of distribution in the supply chain are stifling growth in the South American PPE market. Furthermore, there is a paucity of personal protective equipment for healthcare professionals in South America, as well as a dearth of certified experience in training for personal protective equipment for health are hampering the PPE market in South America. The growth of end-use industries such as construction, oil and gas, healthcare, manufacturing, and marine has created numerous growth opportunities in South America. The healthcare market in South America is growing enormously due to the increase in the prevalence of respiratory infections, the increase in COVID-19 cases, the safety awareness of healthcare workers and industry, and the increase in surgical interventions. In addition, other factors are expected to drive the growth of the healthcare PPE market in South America, including increased government initiatives, new specialist operations and programs, and new advancements in PPE. The Brazilian PPE market is expected to lead the South American market during the forecast period due to the dramatic increase in the number of COVID-19 patients.

Growing concerns regarding workers’ safety across various industries are substantially bolstering the market growth of protective clothing in this region. Changes in the Brazilian Labor Code came into effect on November 11, 2017, providing specific health and safety requirements for home workers. Rising demand for firefighting services is another major factor significantly supporting the protective clothing market growth in South American countries. With the rise in Amazon fires last year in Brazil, the demand for these services has also increased, thereby augmenting the market growth of protective clothing in the region. Growing investments and favourable measures take-up by the government to ramp up the domestic industries, including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals, are escalating the demand for cleanroom technology which, in turn, is further fuelling the demand for protective clothing. Brazil is the largest economy in Latin America and has a large and growing PPE market. Brazil has a significant local production of PPE, with several local manufacturers producing a range of products such as gloves, masks, and protective clothing. This has led to a reduction in imports and an increase in domestic production of PPE. Also, Brazil has regulations in place to ensure the quality of PPE products sold in the country. The Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT) sets the standards for PPE products, and the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO) is responsible for enforcing these standards.

Based on the report, the market is segmented into various product types including hand protection, protective clothing, respiratory protection, protective footwear, eye and face protection, hearing protection, head protection, fall protection and others (skin protection etc.) Industries such as manufacturing, construction, and mining require workers to handle heavy machinery and hazardous materials, which can pose a risk of hand injuries. As a result, there is a high demand for hand protection equipment to ensure worker safety. Many countries in South America have stringent safety regulations that mandate the use of hand protection equipment in certain industries and workplaces. For example, Brazil has regulations that require the use of hand protection equipment in industries such as construction, mining, and oil and gas. Increasing awareness of workplace safety: There has been a growing awareness of the importance of workplace safety and the need for PPE among employers and workers in South America. This has led to an increase in the demand for hand protection equipment, as it is a crucial component of PPE. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the demand for disposable gloves, which are a type of hand protection equipment. The outbreak has also led to an increase in the use of hand sanitizers, which are used in conjunction with gloves to provide an additional layer of protection.

Each country in South America has its own regulations regarding personal protective equipment (PPE). For instance, the Ministry of Labor and Employment regulates PPE use in the workplace through NR-6 of the Brazilian Labor Code. The regulation requires employers to provide and maintain appropriate PPE for their workers. In Argentina, the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security regulates PPE use in the workplace through Resolution 295/03. The resolution requires employers to provide and maintain appropriate PPE for their workers. For Colombia, the Ministry of Labor regulates PPE use in the workplace through Resolution 2400 of 1979. The resolution requires employers to provide and maintain appropriate PPE for their workers. On the other hand, smart PPE is gaining popularity in South America, particularly in industries like construction and mining. These PPEs are equipped with sensors that collect data on the wearer's vital signs, fatigue levels, and environmental conditions, and can alert the wearer if they are in danger or need to take a break. PPE with anti-microbial coatings is becoming increasingly popular due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These coatings help to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses by killing them on contact, reducing the risk of transmission. Many PPE manufacturers are developing lightweight and breathable materials for their products to improve comfort for wearers, particularly in hot and humid environments. PPE manufacturers are also using virtual reality technology to train workers on how to properly use and wear PPE. This technology allows workers to practice in a safe and controlled environment before they begin working in hazardous environments. 3D printing technology is being used to create custom-fit PPE, particularly in the medical industry. This allows for a better fit and increased comfort for the wearer. Augmented reality technology is being used in PPE to provide wearers with real-time information about their surroundings. For example, a worker wearing a helmet equipped with augmented reality technology can see a digital display that shows them the location of hazards or potential risks in their environment.

Trade shows and exhibitions for personal protective equipment in South America

• EXPO PROTECTION (Brazil) is the largest PPE trade show in Brazil and showcases a wide range of PPE products, including safety gloves, protective clothing, respiratory protection, and more.
• FISP (International Safety and Protection Fair, Brazil) trade show is dedicated to safety and protection in the workplace and features a variety of PPE products from leading manufacturers.
• EXPO PROTECTION (Argentina) trade show is dedicated to safety, security, and fire protection and includes a section for PPE products, such as safety helmets, safety shoes, and safety glasses.
• Expo Seguridad Industrial (Colombia) is the largest safety and security trade show in Colombia and features a range of PPE products, including safety vests, safety harnesses, and protective eyewear.
• Expominas (Peru) is a trade show focused on mining and features PPE products specifically designed for the mining industry, including mining helmets, safety harnesses, and protective clothing.
• Expo Seguridad (Ecuador) trade show is dedicated to safety and security and includes a section for PPE products, such as safety boots, safety gloves, and protective eyewear.

Major Companies present in the market:

3M, Ansell Ltd, DuPont, Avon Protection Plc , Delta Plus Group, Honeywell International, Inc. , Lakeland Industries Inc, MSA SAFETY INC., Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, Kimberly-Clark Corporation., Klein Tools, Inc., MCR Safety LLC

Considered in this report

• Geography: South America
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028

Aspects covered in this report

• South America Personal Protective Equipment market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Country-wise Personal Protective Equipment market analysis
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

Countries covered in the report:

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia

By Product Type

• Hand Protection
• Protective Clothing
• Respiratory Protection
• Protective Footwear
• Eye and Face Protection
• Hearing Protection
• Head Protection
• Fall Protection
• Others (Skin Protection, etc.)

By End-Use Industry

• Healthcare
• Manufacturing
• Construction
• Oil & Gas
• Fire fighting
• Food
• Others (Mining, Transportation, Automotive)

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; the author has started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender.

Intended audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to Artificial Lawn industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.