Protective clothing has witnessed tremendous advancements since the coronavirus pandemic began. The perception toward hygiene, self-care, cleanliness, and workplace safety is evolving, particularly in construction, healthcare, manufacturing, chemical, and food-processing industries. The swift industrialization is resulting in increased mortalities and health hazards in workplaces. Personal protective equipment has undergone high-tech advancements, with new protective equipment being manufactured using natural fiber-based composites to reduce plastic pollution and environmental degradation.
The coronavirus pandemic has opened a myriad of growth opportunities for industry players. The exponentially surging importance of hygiene and safety has accelerated the demand for protective clothing. The rising investments in the healthcare sector and the growing awareness of protective apparel intensify the competition between manufacturers. As per Fortune Business InsightsTM, the global protective clothing market size is predicted to reach USD 34.31 billion by 2027. Factors, such as increasing workplace safety concerns and rising strict regulatory standards, are expected to invigorate the demand for protective clothing in the coming years.
Fortune Business Insights Identifies the Following as the Top 5 Leading Protective Clothing Companies:
- Honeywell International Inc.
Founded in 1906 by Mark C. Honeywell, this American multinational conglomerate operates in the fields of Safety and Productivity Solutions (SPS), Performance Materials and Technologies (PMT), building materials, and aerospace. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S., Honeywell ranked 94th in the Fortune 100 Companies in 2021. In October 2021, the company launched a new range of lightweight and ergonomic headpieces that integrate respiratory and face protection amid challenging work environments such as manufacturing, chemical production, and oil & gas worksites.
- Lakeland Inc.
Founded in 1982 by Raymond J Smith, the company is headquartered in Decatur, Alabama, U.S., and is a globally renowned pioneer in protective clothing. Besides offering heat protective apparel, firefighting protection apparel, disposable protective apparel, and chemical protective, it also offers products such as high visibility clothing, reusable woven garments, sleeves, and gloves. In October 2021, the company announced a strategic investment worth USD 2.7 million in Inova Design Solutions Inc. as a revolutionary step in entering the Connected Worker Market for Smart PPE.
- W. L. Gore & Associates Inc.
Headquartered in Newark, Delaware, U.S., Wilbert Lee Gore and his wife Genevieve founded this materials science company in 1958. This American multinational manufacturing company specializes in fluoropolymer-derived products. The privately held corporation is best recognized for being the developer of breathable and waterproof Gore-Tex fabrics. The company reported a revenue of USD 3.8 billion for the financial year ending 2021.
- Protective Industrial Products
Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Latham, New York, U.S., this privately-held organization specializes in 3SP training, respiratory protection, heat stress management, warning batons & beacons, protective clothing, hearing protection, head protection, eye & face protection, and hand & arm protection. The company has a diverse product line comprising more than 10,000 products. It acquired West Chester Protective Gear in February 2019 to fortify its product portfolio and customer base. In March 2020, the company announced Salesforce expansion in Latin America for industrial protective products to cater to the rising consumer demand and expand its supply chain networks in the local market.
- Udyogi Safety Company
This company is a leading solution and world-class international protective equipment provider for class-leading safety services, solutions, products, and training in India. The company offers a diverse portfolio that comprises fall protection devices, head-to-toe safety products, and emergency equipment coupled with customized, integrated, and ingenious safety solutions. In February 2022, the company launched the EW3501 Portable Eye & FaceWash System. The gravity-operated portable eyewash system has a capacity of 34L with 15 minutes of uniform water flow at 1.5 liters per minute for washing sudden chemical splash or dust.
The major companies operating in the cutthroat competition emphasize strategic acquisitions, technological advancements, and collaborations to amplify their growth prospects. They are heavily investing in research and development activities to launch innovative and advanced products. The increasing workplace safety concerns and rising strict regulatory standards are expected to invigorate the demand for protective apparel in the coming years. Further, increasing investments by governments and major key players are likely to create lucrative growth opportunities in future.
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