Face shields market

A face shield is a personal protective equipment (PPE) used to protect the wearer's face from a physical hazard, chemical splashes, energy or radiation, and/or biological hazards. Face shields cover the facial area from the eyebrows to below the chin and the entire width of the wearer's head. Face shields come in various forms, such as reusable or disposable, but all provide a clear plastic barrier that covers the face. They are manufactured using different materials including acetate, propionate, polycarbonate, and polyethylene terephthalate glycol. They are excellent at preventing droplets from coming into contact with the nose, mouth, and eyes, where the virus enters to establish infection. In the last two years, the use of face shields has increased as a tool to help exit lockdown and prevent further spikes in infections of COVID-19.

Market Statistics:

The global face shields market was valued at US$ 3,371.1 Mn in 2021 and is forecast to reach a value of US$ 3,054.9 Mn by 2028 at a CAGR of 2.4% between 2022 and 2028.

North America held dominant position in the global face shields market in 2020, accounting for 38.5% share in terms of volume, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific, respectively.

Figure 1. Global Face Shields Market Share (%), by Region, 2021

Recent Developments:

In March 2020, Ford Motor Company partnered with 3M and GE Healthcare to produce face shields, ventilators, and respirators for healthcare workers and first respondents, those who are actively combating the COVID-19 infection.

In February 2020, Honeywell International Inc. increased the production at various facilities globally for manufacturing N95 protective face masks to meet the increasing demand from China, Europe, and North America due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Market Drivers:

1. Outbreak of COVID-19 (ongoing pandemic) is expected to aid in the growth of the global face shields market over the forecast period. For instance, in April 2020, Apple planned to ship 1 million face shields a week for healthcare workers. The first shipment was delivered to Kaiser Hospital facilities in the Santa Clara Valley. Apple has also donated 20 million N95 masks to organizations to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
2. Rising awareness regarding industrial occupational hazards is expected to boost growth of the global face shields market during the forecast period. For instance, as per the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), eye accidents costs more than US$ 300 million per year in medical costs, leading to lost production time and worker compensation.

Figure 2. Global Face Shields Market Share (%), by Application, 2021

Market Restraints:

1. Volatility in prices of raw materials is expected to hinder growth of the global face shields market. For instance, face shields are manufactured using different materials including acetate, polycarbonate, and polyethylene terephthalate glycol. These polymers are derived from oil, and hence, the face shield industry is indirectly dependent on the prices of crude oil.
2. Counterfeit face shields in the market is expected to hamper growth of the global face shields market. Counterfeit face shields are falsely marketed and sold as being approved or designed and may not be capable of providing appropriate protection to front line medical personnel.

Market Opportunities:

1. Rapid growth of the manufacturing and construction industry is expected to offer significant growth opportunities for player in the global face shields market. For instance, according to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), India is expected to become the 3rd largest construction market in the world by 2025. Moreover, India, China, and the U.S are expected to account for almost 60 per cent of all global growth in the sector by 2025.
2. Increasing awareness about workplace safety in various industry verticals is expected to offer significant growth opportunities for player in the global face shields market. For instance, the 2018-19 Healthy Workplaces Manage Dangerous Substances campaign (European Agency for Safety and Health at Work) aimed to raise awareness of dangerous substances in the workplace and the risks they pose, and to create culture of prevention by disseminating campaign materials and carrying out promotional and engagement activities.

Market Trends/Key Takeaways:

1. Increase in demand for face shields worldwide due to the outbreak of COVID-19 is expected to augment the growth of the global face shields market. For instance, in April 2021, Steelbird Helmets announced that sales of Steelbird face shields are gradually picking up, as the deadly second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic surges across India.
2. Increasing awareness among people due to the outbreak of COVID-19 is expected to propel growth of the global face shields market. For instance, over the past two years, there has been a growing awareness of the potential use of face shields as a tool to help break out of lockdown and prevent further increases in infection with COVID-19.

Competitive Landscape:

1. 3M
2. Honeywell International Inc.
3. SureWerx
4. Alpha Pro Tech
5. Casco Bay Molding
6. Kimberly-Clark Corporation
7. Lakeland Industries, Inc.
8. MSA Safety Incorporated
9. Precept
10. Prestige Ameritech
11. Pyramex Safety Products, LLC
12. Sanax Protective Products

Detailed Segmentation:

• Global Face Shields Market, By Product:
  • Full Face Shields
  • Half Face Shields
• Global Face Shields Market, By Application:
  • Healthcare
  • Chemical
  • Oil & gas
  • Construction
  • Manufacturing
  • Others
• Global Face Shields Market, By Region:
  • North America
  • Europe
  • Asia Pacific
  • Latin America
  • Middle East & Africa