Medical Protective Equipment - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

The Medical Protective Equipment Market size is estimated at USD 43.53 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 59.41 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 6.42% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

Key Highlights

• Several factors drive the market's growth, including the rising adoption of cost-effective surgical procedures, increasing awareness of maintaining safe hygiene practices, and the high burden of hospital-acquired infection cases. An article published by the Journal of Health Medicine and Primary Care in December 2022 reported the increasing public awareness and government regulations regarding using face shields and masks among people in public places in the United States. Such public awareness contributes to the market's growth.
• The high burden of hospital-acquired infection cases is expected to increase the demand for medical protective equipment in hospitals, boosting market growth. For instance, the point prevalence survey of healthcare-associated infections in European acute care hospitals published in May 2024 stated that the number of patients with at least one hospital-acquired infection on any given day in acute care hospitals in EU/EEA countries was estimated to be 93,305 cases. This shows the significantly high number of hospital-acquired infection cases, which likely increases the usage of surgical gloves and masks, boosting the market growth during the forecast period.
• Also, new product launches are leading to the widespread availability of better medical protective equipment, contributing to the growth of the market. For instance, in March 2024, Sempermed Europe launched its latest offering, the skySense gloves. These vibrant blue gloves cater to the increasing demand for colorful options, enriching Sempermed's lightweight gloves. The skySense gloves will be available in Sempermed's medical glove collection and as a part of the Semperguard line.
• Therefore, the market is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period due to the increasing number of surgeries, hospital visits, outbreaks, awareness of maintaining safe hygiene practices, and new product launches. However, issues regarding disposal and awareness may slow down the development of the market.

Medical Protective Equipment Market Trends

The Surgical Masks Segment is Expected to Show Lucrative Opportunity in the Market During the Forecast Period

• A surgical mask is a disposable, loose-fitting device that is a physical barrier between the wearer's mouth and nose, protecting against potential contamination in the immediate area. It also helps to reduce the exposure of saliva and secretions to others. Surgical masks are particularly crucial in medical settings, where doctors and nurses attending to patients must wear them.
• The demand for surgical masks has increased significantly due to the many global surgeries. For example, in Germany, an article published by the Journal of Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery in October 2022 reported that 92.8 thousand heart surgeries were performed in 2021. This high number of surgeries has driven the demand for surgical masks in the country, leading to the growth of this segment.
• Additionally, introducing new products is expected to drive the growth of the surgical mask market. For instance, in May 2022, Honeywell launched two new NIOSH-certified respiratory offerings, namely the DC365 and RU8500X series masks, to meet the needs of healthcare workers. These new products have expanded Honeywell's protective equipment portfolio, thereby driving the growth of this segment. In summary, the increase in surgical procedures, the high distribution of surgical masks globally, and new product launches are expected to drive the growth of the surgical mask segment during the forecast period.

North America is Expected to Witness a Significant Growth in the Market During the Forecast Period

• North America is poised to experience significant growth during the forecast period due to rising awareness among the population regarding the use of medical protective equipment. In addition, high levels of air pollution, government initiatives, and product launches are driving the growth of the market in the region.
• The more significant percentage of surgical procedures also contributes to the market's growth, driving the demand for medical protective equipment. For instance, per the data published by the Canadian Institute for Health Information in April 2024, in Canada, 66% of patients underwent hip replacement surgery, 59% opted for knee replacement surgery, and a significant 94% underwent radiation therapy, all within a 26-week timeframe in 2023. As a result, the significantly high percentage of surgical procedures is boosting the demand for surgical masks and gloves and contributing to the market growth in the region.
• Moreover, increasing initiatives in North American countries, such as the distribution of surgical masks, are also driving the market's growth. For instance, in December 2022, the New York City Health Commissioner distributed 3.6 million KN95 face masks to elderly individuals and pregnant women to avoid exposure to respiratory viruses. Thus, these initiatives are driving the market's growth and contributing to the market's growth in the region.
• Additionally, new product manufacturing by crucial market players contributes to the growth of the market. For instance, in April 2023, Armbrust American, a medical manufacturing company, initiated the production of nitrile gloves in the United States. This move marks the company's commitment to establishing itself as one of the critical providers of American-manufactured medical goods. Thus, new product manufacturing is expected to increase the availability of medical protective equipment, thereby boosting the market growth in the region during the forecast period.

Medical Protective Equipment Industry Overview

The medical protective equipment market is fragmented and consists of several major players. A few market players are expanding their portfolios through acquisitions and agreements in various countries, globally making them key players in the market. Some of the key players in the market are 3M Company, Ansell Limited, Cardinal Health Inc., DuPont de Nemours Inc., Hartalega Holdings Berhad, Honeywell International Inc., Kimberly-Clark Corporation, and Top Glove Corporation Bhd.

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