Emergency blankets were first developed by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1964. The emergency blankets are also called as space blankets, Mylar blankets, first aid blankets, thermal blankets, and others. These blankets are made up of heat reflective thin plastic sheeting, which is low in weight and less bulky for easy storage. The thin layer of plastic is coated with metallic reflecting agent, which is in gold or silver color and it reflects almost 97% of the radiated heat. These blankets can also be used by military for various purposes such as camouflaging, for preparing tents, and others. Some of the manufacturers such as McKesson Medical-Surgical Inc. offers Mylar blanket with aluminum coating. Moreover, another manufacturer Swiss Safe Emergency Supplies offers Mylar blankets, which can be used from both the sides, as both the sides of the blanket are coated with aluminum.

Global Emergency Blankets Market – Dynamics

The increasing research and development for the modification of emergency blankets is expected to drive the emergency blankets market growth over the forecast period. For instance, in 2019, in the U.S., engineers at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) developed a space blanket, which mimics the adaptive skin of some cephalopods such as squids and octopuses i.e. the blanket adjusts with the temperature of the surroundings. Such material can be used for preparing tents and for manufacturing clothing line.

Moreover, increasing incidence of natural calamities over the years is expected to drive demand for emergency blankets. For instance, according to the World Health Organization, (WHO), 2019, globally, every year, around 90,000 people lose their lives due to natural calamities and around 160 million people are affected due to natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires, heat waves, droughts, and others.

The above factors are expected to spur growth of the emergency blankets market over the forecast period.

Global Emergency Blankets Market - Regional Insights

North America is expected to hold dominant position in the global emergency blankets market over the forecast period, owing to the increasing number of camping events in the region. For instance, according to the North America Camping Report, 2019, the number of camping households in the U.S. grew by 1.4 million, reaching a new high of 78.8 million households. Therefore, increasing number of camping is expected to increase the usage of emergency blankets, which is further expected to drive the global emergency blankets market growth over the forecast period.

Moreover, market players are involved in product launches, which is expected to drive growth of the emergency blankets market in the North American region. For instance, in 2018, Quake Kare, Inc. launched a portable camping survival kit, ER Camping Survival Kit, for the safety of trekkers and campers. The survival kit includes many components such as fire starters, Mylar blankets, bug repellant, ponchos, first aid supplies, portable tools, and toilet paper among others.

Moreover, Europe accounted for the second largest market share in the global emergency blankets market, as different organizations are engaged in providing emergency blankets to the poor people. For instance, in 2017, in England, Louth Independent Traders (LIT) launched a new scheme for emergency blankets, where they provide emergency blankets to the poor people, in order to survive the winters.

Global Emergency Blankets Market – Competitive Landscape

Some of the key players operating in the global emergency blankets market include McKesson Medical-Surgical Inc., XIAMEN FIRSTCARE IMP. & EXP. CO.,LTD, Zhangjiagang Xiehe Medical Apparatus & Instruments Co., Ltd, COMED, Geratherm, Briggs Healthcare, IndoSurgicals Pvt. Ltd., PRIMA CARE MEDICAL SUPPLIES, Dukal Corporation, and Swiss Safe Emergency Supplies.

Global Emergency Blankets Market - Taxonomy

On the basis of product type, the global emergency blankets market is segmented into: