Research Overview
Increased Price Competition Forces Manufacturers to Delocalize Production of Low-end Products
In order to remain competitive in a price-sensitive market, it is increasingly becoming essential
for respiratory protective equipment industries to relocate the production facilities from high-cost
western economies to low-cost countries. While this outsourcing continues, the prices for safety
equipment such as disposable masks have decreased by 30 per cent in the last five years in the
United Kingdom, largely due to low-price imports from the Far East. Such developments have been
instrumental in shifting the production centers of entry-level respiratory protective equipment and
have enabled western European enterprises to survive price pressures in the markets.
This Frost & Sullivan research service provides a comprehensive analysis of the respiratory
protective equipment markets in the western European region. The research service also offers an
in-depth analysis of markets of different types of respiratory protective equipment that includes
disposable masks, re-usable half masks, re-usable full-face masks, powered air-purifying
respirators, self-contained breathing apparatus, airline respirators, escape-only equipment and
integrated systems. The study assesses the product demand in eight regions in Western Europe and
provides market as well as distribution trends. This information is valuable to both large and small
participants that seek to position themselves for maximum return on investment.
Increasing Compliance and Safety Concerns Drive Sales of Respiratory Protective Equipment
The market for respiratory protective equipment is greatly influenced by legislations and
regulations, issued by national governments. In the near future, legislations are expected to have a
pronounced effect in regions that have been slow to adopt these safety equipment. Also, with the ISO
standardization for equipment on the cards, regulations are set to play a more crucial role.
"Even if legislation forces workers to don respiratory protection, it still does not
translate into increased sales of high quality safety equipment," observes the analyst of this
research service. "Sales of high-end value-added products also depend, to a great extent, on
the awareness and safety-conscious approach of individuals."
Different end-user companies are also focusing on corporate social responsibility (CSR), of which
occupational safety and health (OSH) is an important component. This initiative has been
instrumental in companies becoming aware of the need to invest in their employees safety and its
subsequent contribution in enhancing job satisfaction and motivation.
Improved Designs and Increasing Domestic Preparedness Drive Demand
All types of respiratory protective equipment restrict the wearer to some extent, by imposing
extra breathing resistance on the lungs and by restricting visibility or mobility. The improvement
in design and ergonomics of the protective equipment increases its usage.
Efforts to counter terrorism and more effectively respond to terrorist incidents have made
respiratory protective equipment indispensable. Domestic preparedness has assumed importance since
September 11, with personal protection being paramount. It entails the relevant government body to
provide an integrated response in the event of an unfortunate incident; this includes protective
equipment (such as escape hoods) for civilians as well as workers. These developments have had a
positive influence on the sales of respiratory protective equipment.
Overall, as consumers needs become increasingly sophisticated, the products and manufacturing
techniques in the markets are also developing. Integrated systems that come with superior product
and performance features as well as represent the all-in-one types of products are gaining
acceptance, especially in applications related to fire safety (sought by paramedics) and welding.
The industry participants need to be well-positioned to establish and maintain competitive advantage
in challenging market dynamics.
Frost & Sullivan Growth Partnership Service
Based on extensive and in-depth research, real-world consulting work, and new theories tested in
hundreds of companies across many industries, Frost & Sullivan has evolved its Growth
Partnership Services (GPS) program that provides established and emerging firms with powerful growth
visions. Moving beyond token mission statements, GPS provides an actionable vision to growth
consulting partners by illustrating how key intelligence and strategic research based on defined
goals can guide day-to-day behavior and overall company direction. The foundation of Frost &
Sullivans GPS includes:
- Assisting companies to reach their full potential in the core business
- Providing growth strategies to help companies expand into related businesses
- Preemptively redefining the core business during market turbulence
- Applying the Frost & Sullivan framework to identify and address common mistakes resulting
from misaligned corporate strategies
- Recommending growth management strategies through continuous partnership
To maximize the potential for growth within a firms internal and external environment, Frost
& Sullivan consultants can facilitate the creation of strategic programs that deliver improved
market success. Frost & Sullivans strengths lie in combining strategic understanding with
market expertise and applying these with absolute commitment to its clients growth.
Benefits of this Service
Detailed Forecasts of the Respiratory Protective Equipment Markets
The research service includes forecasts of smaller segments such as disposable masks, re-usable
half masks, re-usable full-face masks, powered air-purifying respirator, self-contained breathing
apparatus, airline respirator, escape-only respirator and integrated systems besides the overall
revenue forecasts for different regions in western Europe.
Discussion on Regional Competitive Structure
Discussion on the competitive structure for each region includes the most prevalent supply chain
for respiratory protective equipment in the markets. A brief discussion on important distribution
houses in each region and their span of activity with relevance to PPE is also given.
Discussion on Product Design Trends
A brief but inclusive discussion of product designs that sell the most in the markets place is
provided in the study.
Growth Strategies Based on Competitive Marketplace
The five forces analysis of the respiratory protective equipment markets provided in the study
gives a broader perspective of the strategic recommendations. Growth strategies that have been
compiled in the light of the challenging market situation faced by industry participants are also
included in the study.
Market Sectors
Expert Frost & Sullivan analysts thoroughly examine the following market sectors in this
research:
By Technology:
- Disposable masks
- Re-usable half masks
- Re-usable full-face masks
- Powered air-purifying respirator
- Self-contained breathing apparatus
- Airline respirator
- Escape-only equipment
- Integrated systems
Technologies
The following technologies are covered in this research:
- Disposable Masks: A disposable mask is a particulate respirator that can consist solely of the
filtering medium and straps to hold it. Disposable masks are also available with or without valves
that aid exhalation. There are three protection levels addressed in the EN standards: FFP1, FFP2 and
FFP3.
- Re-usable Half Masks: Re-usable half-masks (standardized under EN 405) are equipped with a
gas-filtering device and a particulate filtering device. The equipment is re-usable only to a
certain extent as the gas-filtering element is not replaceable. The equipment must be discarded once
the gas-filtering element is exhausted. The standard has several classifications, depending on the
particulate filtration and gas-filtration efficiencies.
- Re-usable Half-masks standardized under EN 140 have a face piece that is either flexible rubber
or silicone rubber material. The mask is equipped with different replaceable filters, which conform
to standards EN 141, EN143, EN 371 and EN 372. The maximum weight of filters allowed is 300 gms as
heavier ones are liable to disturb the face seal.
- Re-usable Full-face Masks: Re-usable full-face masks (standardized under EN 136) are mainly used
for applications that require protection against risks that irritate the skin and eyes in addition
to respiratory protection.
- Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR): Powered Air-purifying respirators use a blower that
forces the ambient air through an air-purifying element to the inlet covering. They are, therefore,
also known as positive pressure systems as opposed to negative pressure systems where there is no
powered assistance to breathing. PAPR may include a half mask or a full-face mask and are so
designed to offer protection of the same level as standard negative pressure respiratory protective
equipment, even if the power fails.
- Self-contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA): Self-contained breathing apparatus is an
atmosphere-supplying respirator for which the breathing air source is designed to be carried by the
user. This equipment is designed for use in high-risk environments such as fire safety applications.
- Self-contained breathing apparatus standardized under EN 137 are open circuit systems, which may
provide either positive or negative pressure and are designed to have cylinders carried by the user.
Air from cylinders is supplied through a high-pressure regulator and a demand valve to the mask.
- Self-contained breathing apparatus standardized under EN 145 are closed circuit systems that are
designed to serve for longer times by recirculating the air. Closed circuit SCBA is designed to be
used for one to four hours for use in toxic atmospheres.
- Airline Respirators: An airline respirator is an atmosphere-supplying respirator system in which
the source of breathing air is not designed to be carried by the user.
- Escape-only Equipment: Escape-only respirators, also known as emergency escape breathing
devices, are intended to be used only for emergency exit situations.
- Integrated Systems: Integrated systems include safety equipment that are designed to provide
other individual personal protection besides respiratory protection. They are all in one
equipment that combine head, eye, face, hearing, welding and respiratory protection in a single
piece of equipment and are also classified as integrated systems.
Whats Included
- Regional analysis of respiratory protective equipment markets in western Europe
- In-depth market analysis of eight kinds of respiratory protective equipment that include
disposable masks, re-usable half masks, re-usable full face masks, powered air purifying
respirators, self contained breathing apparatus, airline respirator, escape only respirator and
integrated systems
- Strategies provided based on the challenges currently being faced by industry participants and
discussed at the start of this research
View Cart
