Global Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market Overview, 2023-28

Personal protective equipment (PPE) protects against injuries and diseases. It also helps to guard against a variety of risks such as electrical, chemical, airborne particulate matter, physical, heat, and biohazards. Personal protection equipment comprises gloves, coats, helmets, goggles, and any other protective apparel meant to prevent an on-site worker from coming into contact with any hazardous element. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised various governments and personal protective equipment (PPE) manufacturers to quadruple production and prioritise orders to countries with a large demand supply gap. To control the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, various countries implemented stringent measures, such as the Families First Coronavirus Response Act by the United States in 2020 for protecting public health workers, providing paid leaves, establishing free testing, and providing important benefits to children and families. For the health and safety of healthcare practitioners, health ministries have enacted severe standards for the sufficient availability, allocation, usage, and disposal of PPEs. Some of the organisations that produce adequate recommendations and frameworks for healthcare professionals include the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Furthermore, countries around the world are increasing the share of GDP spent on healthcare in order to provide better services to their inhabitants. Both the public and commercial sectors are investing in new hospitals, in-home healthcare services, and primary care clinics. This is likely to generate additional PPE consumers, contributing to the global healthcare PPE market's growth. Furthermore, population growth, an increase in preference for value-based healthcare services, and the ease with which healthcare insurance benefits are available are some of the other reasons projected to fuel the worldwide healthcare PPE market growth.

According to the research report, “Global Personal Protective Equipment Market Overview, 2023-28” published by Bonafide Research, the market is anticipated to cross USD 100 Billion by the end of the forecast period, increasing from USD 71.70 Billion in 2022. The global market is expected to grow with 6.21% CAGR for 2023-28. Health insurance is required in the majority of European and Asian countries. Nowadays, young people with good income are drawn to health insurances because insurers offer contracts with broader service offerings and reduced prices. People who have health insurance are more likely to attend a hospital for a diagnosis or treatment, as well as additional follow-ups. People who do not have good health insurance are more inclined to overspend and hence forgo treatment follow-up. Over time, the government and regulatory organisations have increased on-the-job safety rules to secure the safety of workers, and employees are expected to anticipate the rise of personal protective equipment. Furthermore, rising workplace safety awareness and other factors are projected to fuel the expansion of the personal protective equipment market. Other factors driving the growth of the personal protection equipment market include technological advancement, an increase in workplace accidents, and growing industrialization. Furthermore, rising foreign investment in the developing world is likely to boost the growth of the personal protective equipment market. However, rising raw material costs and shifting government restrictions are projected to stymie the expansion of the personal protective equipment industry. Increasing demand for multi-purpose equipment made of lightweight materials, on the other hand, is projected to provide several chances in the personal protective equipment market in the near future.

Following the outbreak of COVID-19, Asian textile companies converted their apparel manufacturing factories to personal protection equipment manufacturing plants in order to close the demand-supply gap. China is a major exporter of personal protective equipment, including goggles, masks, gloves, and gowns. The lack of consumer awareness about workplace hazards, combined with the selling of inferior, low-cost, and low-quality items, is expected to stymie the expansion of the personal protective equipment industry. In addition, the possibility of inferior quality, duplicate, and substitute items may impede growth during the predicted period. Positive WHO and FDA directions and standards governing product manufacture, processing, packing, and handling should increase the market value of personal protective equipment in pharmaceutical applications. Furthermore, increased research and development in the pharmaceutical sector to create vaccines and medications is expected to stimulate personal protective equipment demand. Government officials around the world are becoming more concerned about worker safety and health. Many governments have established different safety recommendations in attempt to reduce uncertainties and accidents in industries. Numerous regulatory rules and recommendations require end-use industries to provide employees with protective equipment in specific types of work environments. At the moment, increased demand for PPE such as protective face and eye protection, clothes, and masks is directly related to the COVID-19 epidemic. The market is flourishing as private and public companies increase their investment in the development of PPE kits to meet the growing demand.

Disposable coverall technological improvements such as the usage of antimicrobial scrubs, smarterials technology, and others are expected to fuel the disposable body suit market growth. Aegle Gear, a manufacturer of healthcare apparel platforms, for example, has produced antibacterial scrubs for medical professionals. For example, during a pandemic, gowns or coveralls must be worn in addition to scrubs to guard against bacteria, microorganisms, and viruses. Aegle Gear has created antibacterial and water repellent scrubs for medical personnel by treating the scrubs with Protx2. The Protx2 is an eco-friendly zinc-based technology that inhibits microbial growth for an extended period of time, and it is expected to boost the disposable protective clothing market during the projected period. The latest innovations in disposable protective clothing market such as disposable PPE, double gloving, gloves with perforation indicators, and others to generate huge opportunities in the market. For instance, disposable PPE developed by Eagle Protect, the US-based startup, offers protection against various diseases such as yellow fever, H1N1, COVID-19 virus, West Nile virus, and others. Eagle Protect manufactures disposable PPE such as aprons, disposable smocks, jackets, hats, beard covers, and others for food processing industry to ensure food safety. In addition, the surgical gloves developed by Smarterials Technology, German-based startup company, offer double gloving that is recommended by WHO, during handling the COVID-19 patients. Single gloves can get damaged by disinfectants and workers are likely to face the risk of needle-stick injuries. Hence, double gloving offered by this company minimizes discomfort and tactile sensation. Such innovations in disposable protective clothing market are anticipated to generate huge growth opportunities during the forecast period.

Based on product, the market is classified into hand protection, protective clothing, respiratory protection, protective footwear, eye and face protection, hearing protection, head protection, fall protection and others (skin protection etc.) The hand protection segment held the largest revenue share in 2022 for more than 35% of the global market. Personal protective gloves are worn to protect hands from injuries from abrasions, cuts, burns, and reactions to chemicals. Health risks linked with hazardous chemicals, heavy-duty equipment, and handling hot objects are likely to facilitate demand for protective gloves in various industries such as construction, food processing, oil & gas, healthcare, and metal fabrication. Protective clothing such as chemical defending, cleanroom clothing, heat & flame protection, and mechanical protective clothing, is the second-largest product segment. Rising accidents, deaths, and injuries are driving the demand for protective clothing supported by their characteristics such as high performance, better quality, high wear, and tear, etc. However, the head protection segment is expected to witness higher CAGR during the forecast period due to rising fatalities in the workplace and high product demand. Growing awareness of workers’ safety and health in addition to rising industrial fatalities mainly in developing economies owing to lack of head protection is anticipated to steer the market growth over the forecast period.



The healthcare end-use segment led the market in 2022 accounting for the highest revenue share of over 35%, credited to the rising demand for hand protection, respiratory protection, and protective clothing in the healthcare industry. The need for protective clothing, specifically coveralls, and gowns, has grown across the world, due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus. However, the construction industry is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7% over the forecast period. The construction industry is expected to grow at a steady rate owing to heightened construction activities. Private and public construction projects such as educational buildings, transportation, residential housing, etc. are likely to have a positive impact on the market growth over the forecast period. Also, in the rising food manufacturing industry, due to unhygienic conditions of the surroundings and workers various products are at high risk of getting contaminated. The food industry includes various processes including cutting, mixing, cleaning, and storage which demand personal protective equipment for safety procedures. The strengthening of industrial rules and regulations is expected to fuel the demand for PPE.

Several companies have launched PPE products that use UV-C technology to disinfect surfaces and air. For example, Honeywell recently launched a UV-C light tower that can disinfect an area in as little as 15 minutes in March 2021, while AirPop launched a smart mask with a built-in UV-C sterilization case in January 2021. In response to growing concerns about waste and environmental impact, some companies have launched PPE products made from sustainable materials. For example, DuPont launched a line of Tyvek garments made from recycled material in March 2021, while Radians launched a line of reusable safety glasses made from recycled plastic in October 2020. Some companies have launched PPE products with built-in sensors and other smart features. For example, ProGlove launched a smart glove with a built-in scanner and Bluetooth connectivity in November 2020, while MSA Safety launched a safety helmet with built-in sensors that can detect falls and other safety hazards in September 2020. Several companies have launched PPE products with anti-fogging technology to improve visibility. For example, 3M launched a face shield with an anti-fog coating that can withstand repeated cleanings in June 2020, while Pyramex Safety launched safety glasses with an anti-fog coating that is resistant to scratches in November 2020. Some companies have launched PPE products that can be used for multiple purposes, such as protection against both chemical and biological hazards. For example, Alpha Pro Tech launched a line of multi-purpose protective clothing that is resistant to both chemical and biological hazards in August 2020.

Covid-19 Impacts:
In 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak in APAC enhanced the growth of the market in focus in this region. The pandemic adversely affected major economies in the region, such as China and India. These countries majorly serve the largest labor services, which thus require a significant number of safety gears/PPE. With the growing safety precautions against the disease spread and stringent regulations of new policies since Q4 2020, the market grew further in 2021. Moreover, due to vaccination drives, the demand for masks and other PPE kits increased in 2021, which further fueled the regional market growth. However, lack of health awareness is a challenge in developing countries in APAC, which may restrict the growth of the market in this region during the forecast period.

Major Companies present in the market:
3M, Ansell Ltd, AlphaProtech, DuPont, Avon Protection Plc , Mallcom ltd, Delta Plus Group, Honeywell International, Inc. , Lakeland Industries Inc, MSA Safety Inc

Considered in this report
• Geography: Global
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028

Aspects covered in this report
• Global Personal Protective Equipment market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Region-wise Personal Protective Equipment market analysis
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

Regions covered in the report:
• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle-East & Africa

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 we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

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.