Protective Face Masks Market Trends

Growth Drivers

• Rising number of surgeries worldwide: The rising number of elective and non-elective surgeries worldwide has resulted in a high need for advanced protective and hygiene products in healthcare settings. According to a survey published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2020, around 310 million surgeries are performed every year out of which 20 million take place in Europe, while 40 to 50 million in the U.S. Healthcare providers are focused on improving the healthcare infrastructure with the adoption of latest equipment along with protective gear.  This has resulted in the rising need for surgical masks, respirators, and other protective gear.
• Increasing awareness of personal health and hygiene: Over the years, there has been a rapid shift in people’s understanding of the importance of maintaining personal health and hygiene mainly due to internet exposure, social media, public health campaigns, and personal experiences. This has resulted in high demand for protective gear, including face masks and face shields. Moreover, rising pollution levels across the globe and increasing availability and visibility of face masks and hygiene products in stores and online portals, further fuel protective face masks market growth.

Challenges

• Rising environmental concerns about disposing of face masks: High usage of protective face masks and other protective gear has resulted in concerns about its disposal. Most face masks are disposable and made from non-biodegradable materials, contributing to plastic waste and pollution. Improperly discarded masks can also end up in oceans and waterways, hampering the waterbodies and marine life.
• Increasing waste generation and improper segregation: As large quantities of face masks are used on a day-to-day basis in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings, this leads to high medical waste. Municipal waste management systems, especially in underdeveloped countries are likely to have advanced waste segregation equipment. This is another factor expected to hamper market growth going ahead.