Disposable Face Mask Market

Market Overview

The global disposable face mask market size was valued at USD 7.11 billion in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 58.94 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 26.5% during the forecast period (2023–2031). The rapid increase in worldwide disposable face mask production capacities will help the market grow soon.

A face mask that is disposable and worn by healthcare professionals inhibits direct airflow into and out of respiratory orifices (such as the nose and mouth) by acting as a mechanical barrier. Several names, including surgical, process, or medical face masks, frequently refer to it. Infections and other aerosolized contaminants can be shared between the user and those close by due to coughing, sneezing, forceful exhalation, accidentally spitting while talking, and other respiratory activities. Surgical masks go by many other titles, such as isolation, dentistry, or medical procedure masks.

Even though the material used to make surgical masks will filter out some viruses and germs by capturing the aerosol in breathed air, these masks offer limited protection from airborne illnesses due to the regular loose fit between the edges of the mask and the wearer's face. Surgical masks differ from filtering respirators, which are more airtight and specifically built to guard against finer airborne particles, such as those made to the American N95 standard. The healthcare industry makes substantial use of disposable face masks. Non-woven cloth is commonly used to create these multi-layered masks. They shield medical professionals from dangerous pathogens or viruses that sick or infected patients can spread through aerosols, liquid droplets from the mouth, body fluids, or blood. Masks serve as a protective barrier and assist in reducing or eliminating the possibility of patient and healthcare worker cross-contamination.

Market Dynamics

Global Disposable Face Mask Market Drivers

Rising Global Production Capacity

Globally, there is a high demand for disposable face masks due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Numerous market players have increased production due to the product's fast-growing global demand, which has outpaced supply. This is done to meet the growing need for disposable face masks worldwide. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, China has increased the production of disposable face masks. The Chinese government reports that by the end of February 2020, China was producing a staggering 115 million disposable face masks daily, up from just 10 million at the beginning of the month.

Additionally, the increase in demand for disposable face masks due to the COVID-19 outbreak prompted the expansion of the production capacity. Numerous businesses have opened new manufacturing facilities around China due to the country's growing demand for disposable face masks. The COVID-19 epidemic has caused a widening gap between supply and demand. However, the rapid increase in worldwide disposable face mask production capacities will help the market grow soon.

Growing Insistence on the Use of Disposable Face Masks

The demand to require the general population to use disposable face masks has grown due to the coronavirus outbreak. For instance, numerous regional politicians in Germany are persistently asking the federal government to follow suit and enact a similar law countrywide after Austria made it essential for customers to use face masks in supermarkets. Shoppers must now wear face masks in Slovakia and the Czech Republic as well. To promote the habit of using disposable face masks, it is anticipated that other nations will soon follow suit.

Global Disposable Face Mask Market Restraint

Rising Prevalence of Counterfeit Disposable Face Masks

The proliferation of fake disposable face masks continues to restrain market expansion. Disposable face masks that are falsely advertised as being NIOSH-approved and sold all over the world are counterfeit or fake. Since these products are typically made in unhygienic sweatshops, they might not be able to give wearers the proper respiratory protection.

Particularly in China and India, the distribution of fake disposable face masks is especially pronounced in Asian markets. Aside from that, the COVID-19 epidemic has caused hundreds of thousands of fake disposable face masks to flood Asian marketplaces. Genuine disposable face mask manufacturers throughout the world are concerned about the difficulty around possibly deadly fake disposable face masks since such variables can erode brand recognition. Shortly, it is anticipated that the growing popularity of e-commerce for the distribution of disposable face masks will further restrain the market growth.

Global Disposable Face Mask Market Opportunities

Lucrative Business Opportunities in the Sustainable Space

Manufacturers in the sustainable industry may find attractive business prospects in the global market for disposable face masks. Given the growing awareness of the environmental impact associated with the production and consumption of plastics or plastic substitutes, the demand for disposable face masks made from sustainable materials is expected to increase over the projected timeframe, particularly in Asian markets like India and China. Manufacturers might focus on the profitable market of design innovation to enhance their brand's reputation. Disposable face masks do not provide much room for product differentiation regarding function.

However, when it comes to design innovation, there is lucrative business potential. As the need for creatively designed disposable face masks has grown, some producers have recently begun to concentrate on boosting the aesthetic appeal of these masks.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global disposable face mask market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America is the most significant global disposable face mask market shareholder and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 30.6% over the forecast period. Disposable face masks are widely used in the region's industrial and medical sectors. Disposable masks are routinely used in the healthcare industry during surgeries, dental cleanings, animal care and veterinary operations, and OPD appointments. These masks are a barrier, lowering the possibility of getting sick directly from other individuals or the environment. The demand for disposable face masks has also been driven by the new coronavirus's extensive effects in the area. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of April 21, 2020, there were more than 7.5 lakh cases nationwide. Many small and medium-sized manufacturers have also stepped forward to address the increase in demand for these masks.

In addition, boosting government spending and simplifying the documentation for face mask manufacture immediately will greatly aid the expansion of the regional market. For instance, the U.S. government recently approved an emergency budget package of USD 8.3 million to bolster national virus-prevention efforts.

Europe is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 28.7% over the forecast period. Demand for protective masks, including disposable face masks, has been driven by rising coronavirus cases in the area due to the pandemic's rapid expansion. Europe reported more than 11 lakh COVID-19 cases as of April 23, 2020. A generic packet of disposable face masks is now being marketed for roughly USD 15, almost four times the actual cost, according to research by Keepa, a business that checks Amazon prices. Additionally, the cost of branded goods has sharply risen in the area. For instance, from the end of January 2020, the cost of a box of 20 particulate respirators made by 3M has practically quadrupled, rising from USD 17 to USD 70.

Furthermore, the governments have also loosened several limitations on the manufacture of masks in the region and encouraged their residents to hide their faces in public, encouraging many new businesses to enter the market. For instance, R-Collection, a fashion company from Finland, started making numerous types of face masks in March 2020 for customers and healthcare professionals. The region's expanding manufacturing sector is anticipated to affect market expansion positively.

Asia-Pacific has emerged as one of the fastest-growing regions in the global market. Rising air pollution concerns drive the demand for various face masks in the area. More than 60% of the world’s top 20 most polluted cities in 2019 were in Asia, according to data released by IQAir, a company that studies air pollution worldwide. The region's declining air quality has fueled the need for face masks, which is anticipated to benefit the market.

Additionally, disposable masks are generally available at stores, and while they may not provide complete protection from airborne toxins, they lessen their direct effects. As a result, many area residents have been donning similar masks. China, which produces up to 10 million masks per day under normal circumstances, is one of many face mask-producing nations in Asia. According to data from the Ministry of Industry, the product was cut to less than 50% due to the country's protracted closure. This is one of the key causes of the increase in these products prices. Additionally, rising second-wave coronavirus cases in April in nations including South Korea, China, and Singapore have increased consumer demand for face protection masks.

In LAMEA, robust demand for the product has developed due to increasing consumer knowledge of airborne infections and disorders. Based on their assigned protection factor, which defines the danger of contamination and the permeability of the mask, many types of disposable masks are offered on the market. Disposable mask use by the local populace has increased due to pollution growth and flu epidemics. The Middle Eastern disposable face mask market has a relatively small number of competitors and is highly fragmented. The majority of the goods are imported from factories in China and Eastern European nations. The recent coronavirus outbreak has increased demand for masks of various kinds in nations like Iran, Qatar, Bahrain, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Egypt, Oman, and Jordan. The market for disposable face masks in the area is anticipated to benefit from the need for face protection gear for medical professionals and the general public during this time.

Segmental Analysis

The global disposable face mask market is bifurcated into type and application.

Based on the product, the global mask market is bifurcated into protective masks, dust masks, and non-woven masks.

The protective mask segment dominates the global market and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 22.2% over the forecast period. Protective face masks are produced and created to protect the wearer from dangerous situations. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has certified these masks, which also come with air-purifying respirators. Air leakage into the respirator is less likely with protective face masks since they are made to fit snugly and have a seal around the wearer's face. A protective face mask is suitable to protect from the PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) causes of most airborne problems. A protective face mask offers several essential advantages for those who struggle with breathing due to lung illness or other respiratory issues.

Additionally, it is advantageous for those who have cardiovascular diseases because a face mask that is of high quality and has received NIOSH approval helps to protect against exposure to air pollution, which has been identified as a major risk factor for cardiovascular issues and is commonly linked to high blood pressure and a slowed heart rate. When performing medical operations that expose them to a patient's respiratory discharge, protective masks like N95 offer better safety to healthcare professionals.

Based on application, the global market is bifurcated into industrial and personal. 

The industrial segment owns the highest disposable face mask market share and is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 13.9% over the forecast period. The segment is driven by a growing awareness among industrialists of the importance of using masks to protect workers from particles. Due to the expanding industrial sector and rising pollution levels, mask usage is rising in emerging economies like China and India.

The expansion of this market is being fueled by the use of disposable masks at construction sites, mining sites, chemical firms, and by employees of paint and varnish companies. These items are also frequently employed as surgical masks, preventing the entry of germs and viruses into the body. Based on the distribution channel, the global disposable face mask market is bifurcated online and offline. 

The offline segment owns the highest market share and is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 25.5% over the forecast period. Consumer outlets that sell specific products of one brand are specialty retail stores. The offline distribution channel continues to retain a substantial market position in the worldwide disposable face masks market. Specialty stores prioritize a high level of client satisfaction. Disposable face masks are typically available for a reasonable price at pharmacies, drug stores, and hospitals. Offline purchases provide a deeper grasp of the product's quality and design. Only through offline channels is physical product verification possible, a key customer decision element.

Due to their focus on certain brands, many market players offer their goods through pharmacies and pharmacy stores. Customers who frequent these establishments typically make specific product purchases based on prior interactions. This market is largely driven by consumer brand loyalty and faith in the items' overall quality and the materials used to make them. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, specialty shops in several industries are now selling face masks to meet the rising demand on a global scale.

Recent Developments

• June 2021- KARAM Industries released a 3-ply surgical face mask that is IS certified. The release of a new product marks KARAM's entry into the surgical mask market. Comfort and complete protection are guaranteed with the certified K-Air mask from KARAM+.