Respirators Market

Market Overview

The respirators market size was valued at USD 6,646.4 million in 2019 and is expected to grow with a CAGR of 7.2% CAGR during the forecast period.

Multi-purpose respirators with in-built gas detectors and ongoing R&D activities to develop effective and reliable respirators bolster the market growth. Increasing concerns regarding biological diseases such as COVID-19, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), and Extreme Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), coupled with exposure to toxic and radioactive air pollutants drive the market growth. As per the WHO, to date, more than a million people have been infected with the novel coronavirus. An increasing number of illness cases in mining and chemical industries owing to prolonged exposure to polluted air prompt the need for effective respirators.

Market Dynamics

Government Initiatives to Drive the Market Growth

Stringent regulations imposed by the government and growing demand for products with high safety standards by regulatory agencies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) drive the market growth. TheInternational Standards Organization (ISO) is actively working to create breathing safety criteria for all forms of industrial activities, including mining, oil and gas, manufacturing, education, chemical, and fire services, further driving the market growth.

Regional Analysis

Rising Collaboration Activities to Drive North America’s Respirators Market Growth

North America dominates the respirators market on account of stringent regulations imposed on surgical devices and increasing awareness regarding the use of protective gear. The U.S. is the second-largest producer of masks.  Leading players in this region have well-established direct channel collaboration with hospitals and clinics to gain a competitive edge. For instance, 3M Company, in Nebraska and South Dakota, is manufacturing about 35 million N95 masks monthly, and about 90% of them are for healthcare workers. Similarly, Honeywell is seeking USD 5 billion term loan to incline its N95 mask production. On 2 March 2020, the FDA and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) took action to produce respirators, including certain N95s, for healthcare personnel. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved respirators regulated by the FDA to be used in healthcare personnel during the coronavirus outbreak.

Increasing Production Capacity to Drive Europe’s Market Growth

Europe is expected to witness significant growth in the respirators market during the forecast period. Growing concerns regarding occupational hazards and safety and rising demand for respirators from metal manufacturing, healthcare, construction, transport, and oil and gas sectors drive the regional market growth. Increasing production capacity, rising approval of respiratory protective equipment, increasing awareness regarding employee protection, and introduction of competitive products such as smart respiratory drive the market growth,

Since Italy is now the worst affected country in Europe due to COVID-19, Italy had a monthly obligation of 90 million masks by 1st week of April 2020. Italy received a total of 14 million masks per week from China until May 2020 including 8 million N95/FF2 masks sent by the Czech Republic to Rome about 110,000 face masks. European countries have announced a ban on the export of masks and other protective gear in view of local demand and nation stockpile in case of unprecedented events. 3M US MNC is predicted to manufacture 35 million respirators monthly and are strived to prioritize the supply to medical personnel first and then to the public. Greece to get 500,000 masks mainly consisting of FFP2 masks from China.

Segmental Analysis

Stringent Government Regulations to Drive the Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR) Segment

Powered air-purifying respirators use a motor blower to force ambient air through air-purifying elements. It protects staff from toxic smokes, dust, vapors, mists, fogs, gasses, and sprays that may otherwise cause lung damage, cancer, illness, or death. An increasing number of work-related fatalities and rising awareness of workplace health drive the segment growth. Governments are urging the companies to comply with occupational health and safety requirements to prevent occupational hazards and ensure safety.

Oil and Gas Industry to Dominate the Market

The oil and gas industry involves toxic chemicals, emissions, vapors, and fumes, further rising the need for effective respirators. Oil and gas wells release sulfide gas from hydrogen and can lead to fatal respiratory injury or death. Onshore and offshore drilling activities, coupled with increasing workforce drive the market growth.

Rising Awareness Regarding Staff Safety to Drive the Segment Growth

The demand for respirators in the healthcare industry is expected to experience lucrative growth in the coming years. In the healthcare industry, respiratory protection equipment is used to protect doctors and patients against the spread of toxins and diseases. Growing awareness about worker's protection from blood-borne infections, biochemical, and respiratory hazards drive the segment growth.

Impact of covid-19

COVID-19 has had a huge effect on the global healthcare system, subsequently driving the demand for personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks. Consequently, governments across the globe are assisting manufacturers in increasing the output of N95 respirators to address such shortages. For instance, the U.S. government partnered with the manufacturers of N95 respirators to address the shortage of masks.