Report shows that PPE market set to grow

A recent industry report has forecast that the PPE sector will continue to grow over the next five years.

According to the Protective Clothing Market by Application, End-Use Industry, and Material - Global Trends & Forecast to 2018 report, revenues in the sector will grow to $8 billion globally.

It is also suggested that the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the same period will rise by six per cent.

Throughout the world, protective clothing and PPE are driven by state intervention. As risk assessment becomes more refined, hazards isolated more comprehensively and the rapid industrialisation of the planet continues, regulations are introduced to protect workers.

At a corporate level too, risk assessment is getting better. Add to this the growing demand for emerging economies to protect their workforce, and the pathway being alluded to in the report is clear.

Long term growth is also being helped by constant innovation in the industry.

The report likewise found that advances in fabrics, for example, are making clothing more fire retardant, more resilient to weathering and more comfortable. As technology progresses, so too are the fabrics becoming more flexible – both in regards to being multipurpose and more comfortable for the wearer again.

High prices have limited growth in some areas, but working with a good supplier is important. This can ensure good value products are attainable – whether a small scale industry firm or global giant in the oil and gas trade.

The report analysed the PPE market in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and North America.