Medical Protective Equipment Market

Market Overview

The global medical protective equipment market size was valued at USD 93 billion in 2022. It is anticipated to reach an expected value of USD 345 billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 15.7% during the forecast period (2023-2031). Factors such as growing incidence of pandemics and epidemics, significantly drives the medical protective equipment market demand by 2031.

Over the forecast period, rising demand for medical protective equipment (PPE) is anticipated to be driven by growing awareness of the importance of hygiene to prevent the spread of pathogens in healthcare facilities. Healthcare spending is expected to rise due to factors like expanding and improving economic conditions, healthcare systems, and population growth. Growing investments in medical technology and healthcare infrastructure, as well as the rise in the prominence of chronic diseases, are all expected to increase healthcare spending globally and boost the market for medical protective equipment.

Market Dynamics

Medical Protective Equipment Market Drivers

Growing Incidence of Pandemics and Epidemics

To combat the pandemic, including novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and epidemics, healthcare workers must have protective equipment. These medical protective equipment protect health care professionals from harmful bacteria that may ooze out in the form of aerosols and liquid droplets from the patient's mouth. The virus or harmful bacteria can also get spread in the form of body fluids or infectious blood. The recent (2020) coronavirus outbreak is likely to contribute massively to the growth of the market across the globe with various governments, encouraging the habit of personal hygiene among consumers. Increasing cases worldwide are propelling the usage of masks as a protective barrier that helps eliminate or reduce the chances of cross-contamination among surgeons and patients. Therefore, the outbreak of COVID – 19 is one of the most significant drivers for the market studied.

The WHO urged governments and companies to take immediate action in 2020 to increase the production of masks, respirators, and gloves. According to the WHO, businesses must increase their production by 40% to keep up with demand worldwide. Numerous PPE producers are working close to capacity and giving orders to nations with significant demand-supply gaps priority. Owing to the factors mentioned above, the medical protective equipment to tackle the spread of the infection and respirators for managing the current pandemic respiratory support are experiencing and will experience a sudden spike in demand in the coming few months.

Rising Adoption of Cost-effective and Innovative Surgical Procedures

The number of cost-effective and innovative surgical procedures is increasing due to the increasing disorders that demand surgeries, e.g., cancer and cardiovascular diseases, and the increasing burn and trauma cases globally. According to GLOBOCAN 2020, an estimated 2.26 million new breast cancer cases across the world was reported in 2020, and the number is expected to increase by 2040. This factor is expected to augment the demand for related surgeries.

Additionally, the increasing awareness of aesthetics globally augments the number of cosmetic surgeries. As per the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 18.1 million cosmetic procedures, 1.8 million cosmetic surgical procedures, 16.3 million cosmetic minimally invasive procedures, and 5.9 million reconstructive procedures were performed in 2020 in the United States. This, in turn, increases the demand for the medical protective equipment used during these procedures.

Moreover, the innovations in technology and the rising preference of the general population for minimally invasive surgeries are contributing to the growing volume of surgical procedures across the globe. Hence, the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and rising trauma and road injuries increase the demand for surgeries. This factor is propelling the growth of the medical protective products market during the forecast period.

Medical Protective Equipment Market Restraint

Issues regarding Disposal and Awareness

Environmentalists caution that the increased usage of disposable medical protective gear, such as disposable suits, aprons, face masks, and gloves, contributes to the abundance of plastic waste that endangers the health of the seas and marine life. Before the Covid-19 outbreak, sustainable packaging was one of the critical challenges on every pharmaceutical company's agenda. However, consumers' sentiment is shifting to 'health and protection first,' which will change consumers' views on packaging to be more hygiene-focused rather than sustainability in the near future.

As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), India, disposal of bio-medical waste, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits worn by healthcare professionals and the general public, became a challenge during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. To respond to the concerns over the spread of Covid-19, products not usually in packaging are now packaged to protect them from exposure to the virus. Increasing usage of protective covers such as disposable gloves and masks leads to the growing concern that disposable management may hinder the medical protective equipment market growth.

Medical Protective Equipment Market Opportunities

Technical Advances

The demand for medical protection equipment is expected to be powered by technical advances. In 2021, smart packaging company Insignia Technologies developed the technology that will alert users to the need to replace their face mask has been unveiled. Insignia's smart label changes color to indicate when a disposable face mask has reached the end of its recommended lifespan or when a reusable mask must be changed.

Also, in 2020, SpiderTech launched (May 2020) a disposable face mask, "DIY kinesiology tape masks," that helps reduce the contaminants caused by the continual wearing of the same masks. Hence, these factors are expected to boost the market's growth in the coming future.

Regional Analysis

By region, the global medical protective equipment market share is segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and South America. 

North America accounted for the largest market share and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 14% during the forecast period. The United States is expected to dominate the overall medical protective equipment market, throughout the forecast period, because of the growing incidence of pandemics and epidemics, rising adoption of cost-effective and innovative surgical procedures, presence of key market players, and high investments in the healthcare sector. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in 2019, total healthcare spending in the United States was USD 3,634.1 billion. The rising research and development expenditures and the presence of significant players may result in demand growth. Furthermore, the United States government, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have brought in a slew of progressive legislations regarding the manufacture of medical protective equipment. For instance, in February 2020, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended that all citizens use personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent and mitigate the effects of COVID-19. This has led to an enormous demand for medical protective equipment. Additionally, in April 2020, the United States government invoked the Defense Production Act to ban the export of medical protective equipment and increase its domestic supply. This has also led to higher domestic usage leading to market growth.

Europe is the second largest region. It is anticipated to reach an expected value of USD 877 billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 16.7%. The Medical Protective Equipment market in Germany is growing for a variety of factors. Some include the increasing threat and prevalence of epidemics and pandemics and the rising adoption of cost-effective and innovative surgical procedures. The country also has many companies operating in the healthcare sector and a large amount of government funding for the manufacture of PPE. As of 30th June 2021, Germany had seen 3,728,141 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 90,875 deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This is expected to increase the demand for medical protective equipment used by healthcare workers and normal people, thus boosting market growth. In 2021, UVEX SAFETY GROUP GmbH & Co. KG, Germany, acquired further stakes in the US-based company, Hex-Armor. As a majority owner, the Fürth-based specialists in personal protective equipment (PPE) are further expanding the strategic partnership. In May 2020, Germany-based Sandler, one of the largest nonwoven producers in Europe, announced that it would be investing in an additional line of polypropylene nonwovens for masks at its Schwarzenbach site. The new plant's annual capacity was expected to provide additional nonwovens for up to 800 million masks. Several government agencies have started the production of PPE to supply the market. For example, in March 2020, the German Aerospace Center successfully tested the conversion of its 3D printers for producing medical protective equipment. The organization succeeded in the production of protective masks and valves for respirators using 3D printing. This is expected to boost market demand during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific is the third largest region. Some factors propelling the market growth in China include rising personal protective equipment demand due to infectious diseases and increasing surgical procedures. Rising awareness about healthcare-associated According to a research study by Di You et al., published in Gynecology and Pelvic Medicine Journal March 2021, in China, in 2019, 62 doctors performed 13,934 surgical procedures for 890 cervical cancer patients, 546 endometrial cancer patients, 409 ovarian cancer patients, and 3176 endometriosis patients. In 2019, the total surgical volume increased by 16.2% compared to 2018. The increasing volume of surgical procedures is expected to increase the demand for medical protective equipment in the near future. In February 2020, the Chinese government and healthcare personnel (HCP) took rapid and efficient measures to control the spread of the epidemic and the prevention and control of COVID-19. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was the most potent protection provided by the Chinese government or donated by the public to protect healthcare personnel (HCP) from contact with infectious agents. According to a study by Min Tan et al., published in the International Journal of Nursing Studies in March 2021, in China, nearly 99% of the population used masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Moreover, due to the highly contagious characteristics of COVID-19, mask-wearing has become a part of ordinary lives, which is expected to boost market growth in the near future. 

Segmental Analysis

The global medical protective equipment market is segmented by product, usability, end user, and region. 

By Product Analysis

By product, the global market for medical protective equipment is segmented into surgical masks, N95 respirators, gloves, gowns, face shields, and other products. The surgical masks segment accounted for the largest market share and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 18.5% during the forecast period. The surgical mask is a loose-fitting, disposable device that creates a physical barrier between the wearer's mouth and nose from potential contamination in the immediate area. Surgical masks can also help reduce the exposure of saliva and secretions to others. The surgical masks are disposable, which is the reason for the high and recurrent demand.  

By Usability Analysis

By usability, the global market for medical protective equipment is segmented into disposables and reusables. The disposable segment dominated the market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 16.1% during the forecast period. The disposable PPEs are designed for single use. Disposable options cannot be washed as most laundering methods threaten their integrity and capacity to protect. They are meant to be leak-proof, fluid-proof, and resistant to tears and cuts but only under normal circumstances. The disposable medical equipment consists of masks, respirators, nonreusable gowns, gloves, coveralls, and face shields. Once used, both masks and respirators' external layers may become covered with germs. Moreover, humidity from the mouth slowly alters their filtering properties. Therefore, masks are effective only for four hours, and there is a risk of contamination when manipulating or re-using them. Therefore, these masks are a huge requirement, especially during the pandemic period.

By End User Analysis

By end user, the global medical protective equipment market is segmented into hospitals and clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, diagnostic laboratories, and other end users. The hospitals and clinics segment dominated the market and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 15.3% during the forecast period. A hospital, also known as a medical center, is a type of healthcare facility that offers patient care using specialized medical and nursing staff and medical technology. Usually, this has a significant share of the market revenue even without the pandemic. This equipment is mandatory in hospitals and clinics while attending to patients with chronic or infectious diseases. There has been increasing hospitalization of patients with Covid in the past two years, increasing the usage of disposable PPE daily throughout the globe. In hospital settings, both medical staff and patients are required to wear PPE. As these facilities resume regular operations, staff must wear PPE at all times, while additional PPE will be mandated during medical procedures. The growing hospitalization globally in hospitals and clinics increases the need for PPE for the frontline workers attending the patients boosting the market growth in the short term.

Recent Developments

• November 2022 - According to a news release from 3M Health Information Systems, the 3MTM Ambulatory Potentially Preventable Complications software was introduced to address patient safety and quality control for procedures performed in hospital outpatient departments or ambulatory surgery centers (HIS).
• November 2022 - Plans to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the Cordova region have been agreed upon by 3M (NYSE: MMM) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). By the agreement, 3M will advance its efforts to address the issue of previous PFAS manufacturing in the region and implement fresh, cutting-edge technologies at its site in Cordova that will improve the quality of water used in its operations.