North America Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Air-purifying, Supplied Air), By End-use, By Country, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2026

Report Overview

The North America Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) market was estimated at USD 1.44 billion in 2017. It is expected to witness a 7.9% CAGR in terms of revenue over the forecast period. The rising incidence of respiratory diseases caused due to industrial activities in the U.S. and Mexico is expected to boost the importance and implementation of employee health and safety. This factor is anticipated to drive the growth of the market for RPE over the forecast period.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have established stringent regulations regarding permissible levels of contaminants for Disease Control and Prevention for employees in healthcare sectors globally. Besides, safety standards enforced by regulatory agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a significant factor propelling the demand.

Increasing industrialization, which requires respiratory protective equipment with better design and material coupled with increased safety regulations are some of the major driving factors for the RPE market. Also, the rising need for technologically enhanced and multi-purpose RPE products is expected to fuel innovation over the forecast period.

Numerous industrial organizations are proactively working toward employee safety. The establishment of stringent regulatory guidelines in mature economies, such as the U.S. and Canada has been compelling companies to follow framework and regulations to minimize any health-related injuries and incidences.

Market players are adopting various strategies, including alliances with overseas suppliers and setting up operations in different countries; thereby aiding their expansion in new markets. Also, the evolution of e-commerce has enabled the manufacturers to source and supply products in a shorter lead-time and to offer faster delivery, resulting in market growth.

A consistent supply of raw materials is anticipated to have a favorable impact on the production landscape. However, increasing the cost of crucial raw materials such as Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR), carbon fiber, and silicates, used in respiratory protective equipment compositions, is expected to pose a challenge to the market growth.

Product Insights

Air-purifying Respirator (APR) emerged as a dominant product segment and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.8% over the forecast period. The APRs are used to protect employees against gases and vapors. The growing chemical and oil and gas industries, especially in the U.S., is likely to augment product demand over the forecast period.

Respirator manufacturers have been heavily investing in R&D initiatives to create respirators with low breathing resistance, adhering to regulatory standards. The use of electrostatically charged polymer fibers was incorporated to enhance the efficiency of filters. Proper fit and filter efficiency are some key factors driving the product demand in the region.

Unpowered half-mask APRs are projected to witness significant growth over the forecast period owing to their enhanced compatibility with visors and other personal protective equipment. Rising concerns regarding toxic gases in hazardous activities such as welding and spraying are projected to drive products in the North America respiratory protective equipment market demand over the forecast period.

According to OSHA guidelines, employers in the U.S. are bound to provide employees with respiratory protective equipment, which is likely to drive the demand for both types of APRs, powered, and unpowered. However, expensive powered APRs generate higher revenue even though unpowered dominated the volume sales in the country.

End-Use Insights

Penetration of RPE in the healthcare sector is anticipated to witness the fastest growth owing to the rising number of workplace fatalities caused by various factors including bloodborne pathogens and exposure to chemicals, drug, waste anesthetic gas, and laser hazards. Also, exposure to radioactive materials and x-ray coupled with the hazards associated with laboratories is projected to aid the product demand.

Industrial is the second-largest end-use segment in the RPE market. This sector mostly comprises manufacturing, automotive, and metalworking. These sectors may generate high levels of arsenic, antimony, selenium, and other harmful chemicals in the workplace, which has led to the demand for all kinds of respiratory protective equipment.

Increasing shale gas production in North America is anticipated to augment the product demand for the product to protect employees from workplace hazards. Oil and gas wells release hydrogen sulfide and expose workers to hydrogen-sulfide gas, which can result in fatal respiratory injuries. This is likely to complement the demand for high-performance RPE over the projected period.

Airborne contaminants are most dangerous and pose respiratory hazards that can lead to severe and even fatal diseases. The mining industry is associated with a large number of respiratory hazards such as inhalation of harmful gases, which may cause infections and increase the risk for the employees, which is likely to drive the demand for RPE.

Regional Insights

The North American market is characterized by the presence of strict regulations regarding employee health and safety, established by concerned associations such as OSHA, CSA, and ANSI. These stringent norms have enabled the adoption of respiratory protective equipment by companies for ensuring the safety of their employees.

U.S. is expected to witness the fastest growth reaching over USD 2.4 billion by 2026. The demand is primarily attributed to the increasing onshore and offshore drilling activities coupled with growing shale exploration for sustaining the production levels throughout the year.

The growth of oil and gas, chemicals, and manufacturing industries, especially in Canada, is anticipated to boost the product demand. Also, the rising incidence of work-related injuries and illnesses in various industries is expected to complement market growth over the forecast period.

Major industries such as healthcare and social services, construction, and transportation and storage have witnessed several cases of workplace illnesses that resulted in high compensation costs for the companies in Canada. The Westray Bill amended the Canadian Criminal Code, which issued guidelines to ensure the safety of employees complementing RPE demand.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The major players operating in the region offer a wide range of product portfolio catering to diverse industries, providing them a competitive edge over their counterparts. Multifunctional, price, and regulatory compliances are expected to be the future trends to gain market share.

Market players are inclined toward developing new and innovative respirators. The companies are also shifting their focus to manufacturing fashionable and high performance respiratory protective equipment, as the demand for durable and customized equipment has increased over the past few years.

Recent Developments

• In September 2022, Avon Protection launched Tactical Mask Communications (TMC) System, a communication solution that integrates Avon Protection Air Purifying Respirators with user headsets. This communication system ensured clear communication between masked personnel

• In May 2022, Honeywell launched two latest NIOSH-certified respiratory protection solutions for healthcare professionals. These solutions offer suit frontline workers with a more secure fit to keep them safe, and a heightened level of filtration efficiency

North America Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at regional and country levels and provides an analysis of the industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2026. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the North America respiratory protective equipment (RPE) market report based on the product, end-use, and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2026)

  • Air Purifier Respirator

    • Unpowered Respirators

      • Disposable Filtered Mask

      • Half Mask

      • Full Face Mask

    • Powered Respirators

      • Half Mask

      • Full Face Mask

      • Helmets, hoods & visors

    • Escape Respirators

  • Supplied Air Respirator

• End-Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2026)

  • Oil & Gas

  • Fire Services

  • Petrochemical/Chemical

  • Industrial

  • Pharmaceutical

  • Healthcare

  • Mining

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2026)

  • North America

    • The U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico