Face Shields Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Product (Full Face Shield, and Half Face Shield), By Type (Reusable, and Disposable), By End-use Industry (Manufacturing, Construction, Chemical, Oil & Gas, Healthcare, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global face shields market size was USD 1.09 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 1.19 billion in 2024 to USD 2.31 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 8.8% during the 2024-2032 period.

These shields for the face are personal protective equipment (PPE) devices that many employees wear to protect their faces and mucous membranes from splashes, sprays, and spatter of body fluids. The growing awareness regarding healthcare-associated diseases and the recent pandemic, i.e., COVID-19, propel the demand for advanced PPE products. Moreover, the rising demand for the product across multiple end-use industries due to stricter legislation in workplace safety is likely to augment the market's growth.

The novel coronavirus is quickly spreading across regions and nations, causing a huge impact on supply chains at all levels. The supply chain for personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, and shields has been unable to keep up with the increased demand. Furthermore, supply and logistics limitations such as a ban on personal protective equipment and other critical material have been put forth amid the pandemic. One of the reasons is the high reliance on the PRC and ASEAN countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and others as a production hub.

Several workers are quarantined, resulting in manufacturing unit closures. Export bans and trade restrictions have also exacerbated the problems in protective gloves production and distribution. Shields worn over masks to protect healthcare professionals treating COVID-19 patients are in high demand, with supply outpacing demand. According to UNICEF, each week, 1 billion shields are developed on average, but the U.S. healthcare system requires up to 10 billion per week.

The coronavirus cases led to high product demand for face shields owing to their ability to prevent or slow the spread of life-threatening infections. They are being used as a public and personal health control measure to stop SARS-CoV-2 from spreading. Their use is designed to protect individuals from infection and act as source control to prevent the virus from spreading in a community or healthcare sector. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare system experienced a severe shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Face Shields Market Trends

Raising Awareness Regarding Industrial Occupational Hazards to Aid the Market

Thousands of employees lose their eyesight at workplace accidents in the U.S. each year. Besides, around 60% of all collisions are avoidable if adequate eye and face safety devices are selected and used. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), eye accidents cost more than USD 300 billion per year in medical costs, leading to lost production time and worker compensation. Risks should be reduced with good safety compliance management. Many industrial eye accidents, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), are caused by small fragments or substances striking or rubbing the eye, such as wood chips, metal slivers, or dust.

Shields are secondary protection devices that protect the whole face from a variety of threats. They should not be used in place of protective goggles or glasses. The most frequent causes of eye injuries are flying objects or sparks striking the eye. They, therefore, pose a threat to the face, which is where the shield comes into play. They provide a second layer of protection for the eyes and greater coverage for the face. Thus growing workplace accidents in various end-use industries is likely to boost the face shields market growth.

Face Shields Market Growth Factors

Stringent Regulations Regarding the Safety of Personnel in Developed Economies to Fuel Market Growth

Stringent regulations regarding the safety of personnel in developed economies are a crucial aspect of occupational health and safety. In developed nations, such as the U.S., the Occupational Safety and Health Act establishes comprehensive standards to protect workers in the workplace.

Similarly, in the European Union, health and safety laws are implemented through a series of European Directives, with the Framework Directive setting overarching principles and minimum requirements for member states to follow. These regulations aim to ensure a safe working environment, reduce workplace accidents, and protect the well-being of employees. Developed countries, such as the U.K., EU, U.S., and Canada, have historically been at the forefront of implementing stringent health and safety regulations to safeguard workers. The commitment to improving health and safety at work is evident through continuous efforts to reduce workplace injuries and fatalities across these nations.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Volatility in Raw Material Prices to Restrict Market Growth

The major raw materials used to make the visors and headgear needed for shields are oil and metal. These are made of oil-based polymers such as polycarbonate (PC), acetate, and polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG). As a result, the industry is indirectly reliant on crude oil prices. The fluctuating price of oil is expected to hinder the growth rate of the market. However, there is considerable market overcapacity for polycarbonate, particularly in Europe, where operating rates are only around 70%, which would likely limit further price increases. China intends to expand its manufacturing capacity to cater to the high demand, increasing the price of the polycarbonate.

Face Shields Market Segmentation Analysis

By Product Analysis

Full Face Shield Segment to Dominate the Market owing to High Demand from Various End-use Sectors

Based on the product, the market is classified into a full face shield and half face shield. The full shield segment accounts for the major share of the market. The segment is expected to expand rapidly due to the high demand for face protection in various end-use sectors such as healthcare, construction, oil & gas, chemical, and industrial.

Half shields are often used instead of goggles because they are more effective at keeping bodily fluids out of the eyes. This is likely to favor the growth of the segment during the foreseeable years.

By Type Analysis

Reusable Segment to Expand at Rapid Pace due to Easy Availability

In terms of type, the market is bifurcated into reusable and disposable.

The reusable segment is expected to expand at a rapid pace during the industry forecast period. Easy availability and low price make it a preferred option.

The disposable shield is meant for use by healthcare and social care providers in circumstances where social distancing isn't possible or in areas where community disease spread is a high risk. This type of shield complies with government splash and droplet legislation and provides additional protection against droplet transmission in the air. It is designed to act as a physical barrier in healthcare settings, preventing direct contact with splashed or aerosolized fluids. This is projected to lead to segmental growth during the industry forecast period.

By End-User Industry Analysis

Manufacturing Industry to Account for Major Share owing to Product Demand for Employee Protection

By application, the market segments include manufacturing, construction, oil & gas, chemical, food, pharmaceutical, transportation, and others.

The manufacturing segment accounted for the largest face shields market share in 2023. Shields are required at manufacturing sites to protect employees from occupational hazards. These are used to protect against potentially dangerous hazardous materials. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, about 5% of U.S. employees wear shields at their workplace.

The healthcare segment is anticipated to showcase exponential growth during the forecast period. The viral diseases and COVID-19 cases has resulted in a shortage of shields for healthcare workers. The stringent government rules concerning the safety of healthcare workers and severe penalties for non-compliance with standards have boosted product adoption.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

North America stood at USD 0.33 billion in 2023 and is likely to remain dominant in the forthcoming years. This can be attributed to the increasing awareness about the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) in various industries, such as healthcare, manufacturing, and construction. The COVID-19 pandemic has further boosted product demand, as they are considered an effective measure to prevent the spread of the virus. Moreover, factors, such as the presence of well-known manufacturers, increasing production, and innovative shields are projected to boost the regional market growth.

In Europe, shields were in high demand, as many countries such as Italy, Spain, Germany, and others witnessed a large number of cases. The region is expected to expand at a significant pace due to major manufacturing and other end-use industries.           

In rising economies such as China and India, expansion and upgrading of healthcare infrastructure is projected to fuel the market in Asia-Pacific. Furthermore, the growing geriatric population in countries like Japan, increasing healthcare investments, rising per capita income, expanding private-sector hospitals into rural areas, and rapid economic growth are all factors that are likely to augment the market. The construction and manufacturing industries are expanding rapidly in the Asia Pacific, which is likely to create lucrative opportunities for the face shields industry.

The number of infected people has surged in Latin America and the Middle East and Africa. This has led to high demand for shields in both regions.

List of Key Companies in Face Shields Market

Key Players Focus on Product Innovation to Increase Their Market Share

The market is fragmented and competitive, with both global and local companies competing for the largest share. Major players operating in the market are 3M, Honeywell International Inc., Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., MSA, Radians Inc, Dupont Teijin Films U.S. Limited, and Prestige Ameritech. The demand-supply gap in the market has been exacerbated by factors such as a labor shortage, lack of raw material supplies, and lockdowns in different countries. Due to product shortages, a considerable number of domestic manufacturers increased their production capacities.

Several apparel companies have begun producing these shields in response to the rising demand caused by the pandemic crisis. For example, in April 2020, Adidas, a German multinational shoe, apparel, and accessory manufacturer, collaborated with Carbon, a 3D printing firm headquartered in the U.S., to produce 3D-printed shields.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED

• Cardinal Health (U.S.)


• 3M (U.S.)


• Honeywell International Inc. (U.S.)


• AlphaProTech (Australia)


• Precept Medical Products, Inc.  (U.S.)


• Prestige Ameritech (U.S.)


• Pyramex (U.S.)


• Sanax Protective Products (U.S.)


• KARAM (India)


• Medline Industries, Inc. (U.S.)


• MSA (U.S.)


• Dupont Teijin Films U.S. Limited (U.S.)


• Radians, Inc. (U.S.)


• Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. (U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

• July 2022 - BASF entered a partnership agreement with Permionics Membranes to expand the usage of its Ultrason E polyethersulphone PESU polymer in coated fabrics for face masks. The partnership aims to create high-quality filters for face masks that can prevent the spread of harmful particles and microorganisms. With this collaboration, the company is expected to lead to the development of innovative and effective face masks that can provide superior protection.


• August 2020 – 3M built a face shield with anti-fog properties in cooperation with Nissha Medical Technologies, a worldwide medical device firm, to enhance visibility and comfort during prolonged clinical wear. Its hydrophilic film has anti-wicking properties, allowing fluids to flow in a specific direction.  Microfluidic devices, such as blood sugar test strips for people with diabetes, are made mostly of 3M hydrophilic film. In the current situation, this film is being used to make these shields.


• June 2020 – In response to a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the global pandemic, KARAM began producing medical face shields to protect healthcare workers treating Covid-19 patients. The firm has been producing around 10,000 units per day and plans to increase production in the coming days.

REPORT COVERAGE

The market research report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on crucial aspects such as leading companies and products. Also, the report offers insights into the industry trends and highlights vital industry developments. In addition to the factors mentioned above, the report encompasses various factors contributing to the market's growth in recent years. This report includes historical data & forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels, and analyzes the industry's latest market dynamics and opportunities.

REPORT SCOPE & SEGMENTATION