Introduction
A surgical mask, also known as a medical face mask, is intended to be worn by health professionals during medical procedures to prevent airborne transmission of infections in patients and the treating personnel, by blocking the transmission of pathogens (primarily bacteria and viruses) shed in respiratory droplets and aerosols from the wearer's mouth and nose.
Surgical masks may be labeled as surgical, isolation, dental or medical procedure masks
There are different types of masks available. They are cloth masks, disposable masks and KN95 respirators
Surgical masks are popularly worn by the general public all year round in East Asian countries like China, Japan and South Korea, especially during allergy and flu seasons, to reduce the chance of spreading airborne diseases to others, and to prevent the breathing in of airborne pollens or dust particles
The Covid-19 pandemic has increased the demand for face masks globally and has caused a shortage in some countries
Table of Contents
Market Overview
The face mask market is projected to grow from USD 737 million in 2019 to USD 22,143 million in 2021 and then reduce to USD 3,021 million by 2025.
The projected CAGRs for these time periods are 448.1% between 2019 to 2021 and an overall CAGR of -48.9% from 2020 to 2025.
The major cause of the increase in face mask demand is the Covid-19 pandemic.
Key Trends
The reusable face masks by nature segment is projected to record robust growth in the global face mask market during the forecast period. The high growth of the reusable face mask segment is majorly attributed to their low cost and the huge shortage of disposable face mask, globally.
By end use, personal/individual protection is expected to dominate the face masks market, during the forecast period, mainly due to the pandemic
Key Market Players
The 3M Company (US), Honeywell International Inc. (US), Kimberly-Clark (US), Owens & Minor, Inc. (US), and Cardinal Health, Inc. (US) are some of the leading players operating in the face mask market. Even retailers and designers have been launching masks in bulk for the individual segment. For instance, in August 2020, Burberry launched its first collection of reusable and sustainable face masks made of cotton and antimicrobial technology.
Growth Drivers and Challenges
The primary reason driving the demand for face mask globally, is the spread of COVID-19 virus
The rise in consumer awareness pertaining to the importance of face masks and propagation by International organizations like the world Health Organization
The rise in pollution globally is also prompting people to purchase and wear more face masks, especially in polluted areas
The surge in social media marketing to encourage a positive attitude towards wearing masks.
Despite the opportunities, there are some challenges that remain. The major restraint to the growth of the face mask market are the volatile raw material prices. Oil and metal are the main raw materials required for the manufacture of the nonwoven materials, metal strips, and ear loops needed for face masks. Fluctuating commodity prices have a tremendous impact on earnings of companies. This is expected to add to the manufacturing cost of face masks, hence a restraint to the face mask market.