The industrial PPE market size is expected to grow from US$ 66,265.71 million in 2022 to US$ 108,959.51 million by 2030; the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.4% from 2022 to 2030
Industrial personal protective equipment (PPE) include products used for personal safety at workplaces and heavy industries including oil & gas, construction, manufacturing, chemicals, mining, and pharmaceuticals. Industrial PPE comprises of products such as protective footwear, hand and arm protection equipment, head and face protection equipment, fall protection equipment, hearing protection aids, among others. The rising awareness of personal safety in heavy industries where workers are exposed to various industrial hazards and accidents is driving the industrial PPE market demand.
Based on distribution channel, the wholesalers segment held the largest share of the industrial PPE market in 2022 whereas the online platforms segment is expected to register the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Wholesalers provide a wide range of industrial personal protective equipment (PPE) products in bulk at low cost. Industries such as manufacturing, construction, and oil & gas have long-term agreements with industrial personal protective equipment (PPE) wholesalers to procure the products in bulk at affordable rates. Moreover, these wholesalers are expanding their footprints across B2B e-commerce platforms to widen their customer reach and boost sales. This factor is driving the segment’s growth in the industrial PPE market over the forecast period.
Wearable technology is becoming popular in the construction industry worldwide as it helps improve safety by monitoring construction workers' vital signs, such as heart rate and body temperature, and providing alerts of potential hazards. Construction gear has sensors that can sense and alert workers during gas leaks, excessive heat, and sound pollution. As a result, construction teams can address issues rapidly. Exoskeletons are wearable machines that enable construction workers to distribute their weight evenly and provide lift support. Thus, it reduces employees' risk of long-term injuries. Several manufacturers are developing exoskeletons for safety purposes. In September 2019, Hyundai Motor Group developed a new Vest Exoskeleton (VEX), a wearable robot created to assist industrial workers working long hours in overhead environments. This VEX enhances productivity and reduces fatigue of workers by imitating the movement of human joints to boost load support and mobility. Thus, constant product launches and technological innovations boost the industrial PPE market growth.
Geographically, the industrial PPE market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), the Middle East & Africa (MEA), and South & Central America. In 2022, North America held the largest share of the industrial PPE market whereas Europe is projected to grow at the highest CAGR from 2022 to 2030. In the US, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has set some standards and recommendations to assist industries in providing a safe and healthful workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) requires employers across industries such as oil & gas, construction, chemicals, metalworking, mining, manufacturing, and healthcare to comply with safety and health standards and regulations circulated by OSHA or by a state with an OSHA-approved state plan.
For industrial PPE, OSHA requires employers to ensure that employees have appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to hazards such as flying particles, liquid chemicals, molten metal, chemical gases or vapors, acids or caustic liquids, infected material, or any potentially harmful light radiation. The presence of such regulations drives the demand for industrial personal protective equipment (PPE) across North America, propelling the industrial PPE market growth. Further, the presence of prominent market players such as 3M, Honeywell International, DuPont de Nemours Inc, and Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc., offering a wide range of innovative and high-quality products, is driving the North America industrial PPE market.
Smart PPE is one of the trending innovations in the global personal protective equipment (PPE) industry. Compared to traditional PPE, smart PPE's advanced features heighten usability and propel its efficiency. Smart PPE reduces errors, thereby decreasing the number and severity of workplace accidents and injury cases; improving productivity, performance, and efficiency; and consequently, providing long-term cost savings. It also saves time; increases compliance; and improves worker safety, comfort, and health. Global manufacturers are increasingly launching smart gear such as helmets, earmuffs, glasses, and face masks that aid communication in loud or low-visibility environments. Thus, rising innovations in the smart PPE space is expected to provide lucrative opportunities to the industrial PPE market over the coming years.
The overall industrial PPE market size has been derived using primary and secondary sources. To begin the research process, exhaustive secondary research has been conducted using internal and external sources to obtain qualitative and quantitative information related to the market. Also, multiple primary interviews have been conducted with industry participants to validate the data and gain more analytical insights into the topic. The participants of this process include industry experts such as VPs; business development managers; market intelligence managers; national sales managers; and external consultants, including valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders, specializing in the industrial PPE market.