The global personal protective equipment market size was valued at USD 70.17 billion in 2023. The market is projected to grow from USD 74.61 billion in 2024 to USD 122.75 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.4% during 2024–2032.
The personal protective equipment (PPE) market growth is driven by rising awareness of safety and health and the increasing demand for protective gear in high-risk sectors such as healthcare and construction. As industries emphasize employee well-being and adherence to safety regulations, the PPE market is set for sustained expansion, creating avenues for innovation and investments in protective solutions. Furthermore, increasing occupational injuries while working is driving demand for the personal protective equipment (PPE) market. For instance, according to the Employee State Insurance Cooperation Occupational Disease Center (ESICDC) estimates, in 2022, India reports 17 million cases of nonfatal occupational injuries annually, accounting for 17% of the global total, and 45,000 cases of fatal injuries, representing 45% of all work-related deaths worldwide.
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The expansion of industrial activities, infrastructure projects, and construction globally is driving demand for various types of PPE to protect workers in hazardous environments. This is significantly contributing to the growth of the personal protective equipment market. Furthermore, innovations in PPE, such as the development of lightweight, durable, and more comfortable materials, are attracting more users and increasing market demand, thereby contributing to market growth.
There is an increase in the use of eco-friendly materials to manufacture PPEs. Each year, millions of plastic gloves and other PPE are discarded into landfills, contributing to soil pollution. In response, PPE manufacturers across the globe are working on creating a greener, safer, and cleaner environment. For instance, companies such as Showa and Globus have introduced biodegradable disposable nitrile gloves, promoting the adoption of eco-friendly products. Additionally, in May 2024, Kimberly-Clark introduced “Kimtech Polaris Nitrile Exam Glove,” which has been awarded the Accountability, Consistency, & Transparency (ACT) Environmental Impact Factor Label from the My Green Lab, a nonprofit organization focused on promoting global sustainability in the scientific community. The ACT Label is recognized as the leading ecolabel for laboratory products worldwide.
Technology plays a crucial role in the personal protective equipment market. Many current safety control systems are expensive and demand significant maintenance. A more affordable solution has been proposed in the form of a computer vision system to monitor safety in industrial settings. This system utilizes object detection and tracking technology on low-cost embedded devices and issue real-time alerts if PPE is not being worn.
In offshore oil and gas operations, viAct's scenario-based AI leverages video analytics to provide precise monitoring of safety conditions, offering instant visibility to safeguard personnel, equipment, and materials. The new comprehensive system designed for safety monitoring in work environments introduces a novel end-to-end model for alarm generation by integrating computer vision systems with deep learning and edge computing devices, primarily focused on detecting PPE and individuals. This innovative approach offers a scalable and secure solution for triggering alarms when workers do not properly use their PPE, greatly improving workplace safety.
The global personal protective equipment market, based on product, is segmented into hand protection, eye & face protection, hearing protection, protective clothing, respiratory protection, protective footwear, fall protection, and others.
In 2023, the hand protection segment dominated the market. Increasing awareness of worker safety in mining, construction, and chemical sectors drives the demand for industrial safety gloves. Safety gloves protect workers from chemical burns and metal cuts. Additionally, many safety glove manufacturers are pursuing strategies, including acquisitions, to enhance their product offerings and drive business growth.
The global personal protective equipment market, by application, is segmented into manufacturing, construction, automotive, oil & gas, healthcare, food, chemical, transportation, and others.
The healthcare segment is expected to witness the highest growth rate over the forecast period. The increasing incidence of infectious diseases and heightened awareness of self-protection drives market growth for the segment. Hospitals are implementing isolation measures for patients and suspected cases to protect others. Health personnel and frontline workers are at the highest risk of exposure. Therefore, the substantial surge in demand for PPE in hospitals is boosting market expansion.
By region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.
North America dominated the personal protective equipment market in the year 2023. Cases of workplace accidents are increasing across the region. For instance, as per estimates of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the US recorded 5,486 cases of fatal workplace injuries in 2022, reflecting a 5.7% increase from the 5,190 cases reported in 2021. On average, a death was recorded every 96 minutes due to a work-related injury that year. Thus, the growing incidence of fatal workplace accidents and heightened awareness among workers and manufacturers about occupational safety fuel the regional market growth. Additionally, increased government spending on the medical and healthcare sectors is expected to maintain the region’s dominance.
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In 2021, the Indian Labor Ministry reported to Parliament that over the previous five years, at least 6,500 workers lost their lives while working in factories, mines, and construction sites. To avoid such incidents, the demand for PPE is rising in labor-intensive sectors across Asia Pacific.
The expanding oil & gas industry in the Middle East is projected to boost PPE demand during the forecast period. Significant investments in major Saudi Arabian oilfields, such as Ghawar & Shaybah, are expected to be pivotal for the sector. Additionally, rising domestic demand for natural gas, coupled with the adoption of advanced techniques such as Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), is further driving natural gas production in the region.
The personal protective equipment market is predominantly fragmented, featuring numerous local and regional players. Companies provide customized products such as face protection glasses, night lamp holders, and sensors to enhance worker safety. Many manufacturers are focusing on product and specific technology innovations to establish competitive edge markets.
3M; Alpha ProTech; Ansell Ltd.; Avon Rubber p.l.c.; Bullard; COFRA S.r.l.; Delta Plus Group; DuPont; Honeywell International, Inc.; Lakeland Inc.; Mallcom (India) Limited; MSA Safety; Supermax Corporation Berhad; Uvex Group are among the major players in the PPE market.
Ansell Limited (Ansell) specializes in safety protection solutions, manufacturing & marketing a range of gloves, healthcare safety products, and protective clothing. Its product portfolio includes chemical-resistant, examination, and rubber-insulated gloves. Ansell operates manufacturing facilities in Malaysia, Thailand, Brazil, China, Portugal, Vietnam, and India, with its headquarters located in Richmond, Australia. In February 2024, the company launched the new ultra-textured MICROFLEX Mega Texture 93-256 glove.
MSA Safety Inc. (MSA) specializes in the development, manufacturing, and supply of safety products. Their portfolio includes breathing apparatus, fixed gas and flame detection systems, firefighter helmets, industrial head protection, and fall protection devices. It also provides respirators, eye and face protection equipment, ballistic helmets, and gas masks that enhance their core offerings. MSA operates across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific, with its headquarters located in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, US. In December 2023, the company secured a USD 35 million contract from the US Air Force to supply new respiratory protective equipment for its air base fire brigades.
July 2024: Ansell acquired Kimberly-Clark’s Personal Protective Equipment (KCPPE) business for USD 640 million. It will increase the company’s PPE offerings in the life sciences sector.
April 2024: 3M introduced the 3M Verify app, designed to help companies authenticate their PPE. Leveraging advanced technology, the app scans barcodes on disposable respirator cartons in real time to verify the authenticity of the product packaging.
April 2023: Survitec HeliPPE launched a new app aimed at digitally transforming PPE management for offshore technicians and managers.
Report Attributes |
Details |
Market Size Value in 2023 |
USD 70.17 billion |
Market Size Value in 2024 |
USD 74.61 billion |
Revenue Forecast by 2032 |
USD 122.75 billion |
CAGR |
6.4% from 2024 to 2032 |
Base Year |
2023 |
Historical Data |
2019–2022 |
Forecast Period |
2024–2032 |
Quantitative Units |
Revenue in USD billion and CAGR from 2024 to 2032 |
Report Coverage |
Revenue Forecast, Market Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends |
Segments Covered |
|
Regional Scope |
|
Competitive Landscape |
|
Report Format |
|
Customization |
Report customization as per your requirements with respect to countries, regions, and segmentation. |
The global personal protective equipment market size was valued at USD 70.17 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to USD 122.75 billion by 2032.
The global market is projected to register a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period.
North America accounted for the largest market share in 2023 due to the cases of workplace accidents are increasing across the region
3M; Alpha ProTech; Ansell Ltd.; Avon Rubber p.l.c.; Bullard; COFRA S.r.l.; Delta Plus Group; DuPont; Honeywell International, Inc.; Lakeland Inc.; Mallcom (India) Limited; MSA Safety; Supermax Corporation Berhad; Uvex Group are a few key market players.
The hand protection segment dominated the market in 2023 due to increasing awareness of worker safety in mining, construction, and chemical sectors.
The healthcare segment is expected to witness the highest growth rate over the forecast period due to the increasing incidence of infectious diseases and heightened awareness of self-protection.