Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a set of protective wearables that are used in a variety of industries. The equipment is used by the workers and employees in hazardous situations that can cause severe harm to their health and well-being.

The type of PPE varies as per the industry and its specific requirements. PPE can withstand extreme temperatures and/or environment and protect the wearer. PPE can range from protective eyewear to hazmat suits and gas masks. Even the simplest and most commonly known hardhats come under the umbrella of PPE.

However, PPE does not cover protective sports gear such as sports helmets, knee pads, uniforms or military gear. Despite being so helpful at the workplace, PPE often hinders the visibility or movement of the user and these may also be a bit inconvenient to wear.

In any case, PPE is must-haves in many industries and situations and therefore, these are used in a broad category of industries which also make it a global market.

Personal Protective Equipment market trends suggest that the global market is growing at a CAGR of 7 percent and it is expected to reach a market value of $65 billion by 2023. Some of the global industry leaders are Honeywell Life Safety, Ansell, 3M, MSA Safety, Dupont, and Alpha Pro Tech.

High market maturity regions are the U.S., UK, Germany, Ireland, France, Australia, Italy, and Japan whereas Eastern Europe, UAE, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, India, and China are regions with medium market maturity.

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Technological Trends in the PPE Market:

The global PPE market is evolving rapidly due to the technological innovation which is also setting certain trends to watch out for. The global demand for PPE is increasing due to stringent regulations and improved workplace safety standards. Every industry is trying to comply with the regulations and ensure the safety of its employees. In addition, technology is also focusing on making PPE more efficient and comfortable. Here is a look at how technology is affecting the PPE market on a global level.

• Technology is playing an important role in the development of modern PPE products. The suppliers are now focusing on high-tech PPE products and they are pushing manufacturers to do the same as well. Wireless technology has already been integrated to PPE that can vital send information about a worker’s safety and well-being while he/she is onsite/on the field. The technology is also integrated to Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) that can seamlessly track, collect, and send data.

RFID tech can also identify unique information that can be used for searching and locating a missing or injured person. Maintenance workers often have to accomplish dangerous tasks that are a threat to their lives. RFID devices attached to a harness or uniform of the workers can ensure that every worker will come home safely.

• Wearable tracking devices are also now being attached to the PPE that can track the biomarkers in the human body and monitor the health of the worker.

For instance, a wearable device can track the biomarkers of the workers who have to work at high temperatures or extreme heights. The device can monitor their heart rate and body temperatures and send notifications to the control room in the case of a mishap such as a heart attack or breakdown. Such a simple but innovative approach can save many precious lives without hindering work progress.

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• Similarly, high-tech protective eyewear used by maintenance and welding professionals is also noteworthy. The glass changes color as per the ambient temperature and exposure to light. This allows workers to protect their eyes and maintain visibility simultaneously.

• Global industry leaders in the wearable technology are collaborating with the PPE manufacturers for making an entry into the industry and becoming a part of it. Such companies can give an edge to the modern PPE as these are already successful in manufacturing wearable tracking devices. Smart devices can track environment temperature and physical activities to determine whether the user is in good health or not. The data can be sent to the related desks for analysis or taking quick action.

• The same is the case with advanced PPE such as protective suits as those use high-tech synthetic materials for ultimate protection from extreme temperatures and environment. Modern protective suits are equipped with high-tech sensors and communication equipment so that the user can send all the information directly to the contact center. Such a precise approach to employee safety can change the whole viewpoint.

PPE ensure the safety and well-being of workers and these should not be taken lightly. Changing government regulations, industry standards, and increasing concern for workplace safety has given a boost to the global PPE market which is expected to continue in the upcoming years as well. This is a global trend that will benefit the industry in many ways and will also ensure the safety of millions of workers worldwide.

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