Healthcare Personal Protective Equipment Market

Market Overview

The healthcare personal protective equipment market’s most prominent driver is the rising demand for protective gear in the healthcare systems to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and patients. Personal protective equipment is one of the necessary tools for preventing the spread of infectious diseases. PPE enables the identification of workers in medical services, making it easier to approach the right people for support.

The healthcare personal protective equipment (PPE) market was valued at USD 45,125 million in 2019 and is expected to reach USD 79,542 million by 2029, with a CAGR of 7.2%.

Rising Demand for Personal Protective Equipment due to the Emergence of Coronavirus

The coronavirus outbreak has increased the demand for personal protective equipment across the globe. However, the limited availability of PPEs restricts the market growth. To address the situation, the manufacturers are launching new production units to boost the supplies of PPE across the healthcare sector. European Union has taken measures to ease the regulatory approval process for PPE as the safety of healthcare professionals is paramount. The demand for disposable medical gloves is increasing significantly due to their use in the healthcare industry for medical treatments as well as sanitation.

Growing awareness in terms of health and safety of healthcare workers, coupled with increasing concern about hospital-acquired infections drives market growth. As per the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), about 18 million people in the U.S. work in healthcare facilities. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), about 89 million medical masks are required due to the COVID-19 every month. In terms of medical gloves, the figure reached 76 million, and the international demand for medical eye protection goggles stands at 1.6 million per month. During January and February 2020, the demand for N95 face masks surged by 400% and 585%, respectively.

Rising Number of Local Personal Protective Equipment Manufacturers

The emergence of new distribution channels, rising end-user demands, the influence of technology, and the advent of smart and integrated PPE drives the market growth. The domestic PPE manufacturers offer a reduced time of delivery of products at cost-effective prices. For instance, in Indonesia, about 28 domestic manufacturers are producing more than 17.3 million and 508,000 pieces of coverall protective clothing and surgical gown every month. Similarly, in India, DRDO collaborated with local manufacturers to produce around 50,000 N95 masks per day.

Healthcare Personal Protective Equipment Market: Segmentation

The emergence of Life-Threatening Respiratory Disease to Increase the Demand for Respiratory Protection and Masks

By type, the respiratory protection and masks segment is projected to witness significant growth. The emergence of infectious diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), Ebola virus disease (EVD), and novel coronavirus (COVID 19) are subsequently increasing the demand for respirators and masks across the globe. The development of lighter and durable respiratory protective masks and respirators such as air-purifying respirators, supplied-air respirators, and powered air-purifying respirators to sustain harsh environments in medical emergencies drives the segment growth.

Rising Awareness Regarding Hygiene to Drive the Hand Gloves Segment Growth

Rising awareness regarding hygiene and transmission of pathogens in healthcare facilities drives the demand for medical gloves. However, the production of gloves is limited due to a shortage of labor, which is impeding market growth. For instance, in the U.S., the rubber gloves industries require an additional 250,000 workers to address the rising demand for gloves.

Rising Number of Surgical Procedures to Drive the Demand for Medical Gowns

Globally, the rising number of surgical procedures and a growing incidence of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) drive the demand for medical gowns across the healthcare sector. Medical gowns provide protection from contamination and lower the risk of acquiring HAIs, and bacterial and viral microbial infections. Thus, several hospitals recommend patients to wear gowns during medical procedures. 

Hospitals and Clinics Segment to Hold the Largest Market Share

By end-users, the hospitals and clinics segment is expected to hold the largest market share. The increasing need for protection against viruses, bacteria, and other harmful microbes, rising prevalence of hospital-acquired infections, and growing awareness regarding hygienic hospital provide impetus to the market growth.

Impact of COVID-19

Personal protective equipment aids the healthcare professional to fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the governments across the globe to boost the production of masks, respirators, gloves, and medical gowns. The WHO also recommends that PPE manufacturers must increase their production by 40%. Most of the PPE manufacturers are operating at close to 100% capacity and prioritizing their orders to the countries with a high demand-supply gap.

Regional Overview

Government Initiatives to Drive North America’s Healthcare Personal Protective Equipment Market

North America region holds the highest market share in the healthcare personal protective market. Rising government initiatives and increasing concern in terms of health and safety of healthcare professionals drive the regional market growth. Increasing collaboration of public health agencies with the World Economic Forum and World Health Organization and global healthcare PPE manufacturers provide impetus to the market growth. In the U.S. and Canada, the establishment of strict regulatory guidelines has compelled companies to follow the framework and regulations to minimize health-related injuries and incidences. As per the department of health guidelines in the U.S., public hospitals are bound to provide physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals with necessary personal protective equipment, further boosting the market growth.

Healthcare Personal Protective Equipment Market in Europe

Europe is backed by the presence of robust healthcare infrastructure and leading market players. Growing health awareness and the development of advanced medical protective equipment drive regional market growth. Increasing disposable income in countries such as Germany, France, Spain, and the U.K. has enabled them to employ advanced healthcare services and use improved personal protective products.

Rising Prevalence of Communicable Diseases in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East and Africa

In Asia-Pacific and the Middle East and Africa, the prevalence of communicable and non-communicable diseases is growing at a concerning rate. This is further rising the adoption of healthcare PPEs in the regions to provide proper patient care. Apart from this, the growing geriatric population is adding fuel to market growth.

Key Players

• I. DuPont de Nemours and Company
• Kimberly Clark Corporation
• Ansell Limited
• 3M
• MSA Safety Inc.
• Honeywell International Inc.
• Sioen Industries NV
• Lakeland Industries, Inc.
• Alpha Pro Tech, Ltd.
• Radians, Inc.

Recent Development

• In April 2019 Honeywell International acquired Norcross Safety products LLC., a manufacturer of personal protective equipment (PPE) for the healthcare sector, for approximately USD 1.2 billion. The acquisition is expected to provide Honeywell substantial growth opportunities.
• In March 2020, Battelle Technology Development Company received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to support front-line healthcare workers as they face significant shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE). The company began the rapid manufacturing of N95 respirator masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE). 

Healthcare Personal Protective Equipment Market Segmentation

By Type

• Medical gloves
• Medical gowns
• Medical footwear
• Respiratory protection and masks
• Eye & face protection
• Head protection

By End-User

• Hospitals and clinics
• Ambulatory care units
• Diagnostic laboratories
• Pharmacies

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-pacific
• South America
• The Middle East and Africa