Despite Saturation in Australia and New Zealand Surgical Respirator Masks Market, Growth to Remain Steady

Surgical and respirator masks are central to the safety of medical practitioners and life sciences professionals. While respirators are used to protect healthcare practitioners from airborne viruses, bacteria, and contaminants, surgical masks are used as a barrier against splashes or droplets of body fluids. Such masks can be broadly classified under personal protective equipment and they are typically made using a specific class of medical textiles. With the expansion of healthcare infrastructure, the demand for medical consumables is on the rise. This also includes surgical respirator masks.

With the sales of these medical products moving upward, the Australia and New Zealand surgical respirator masks market is expected to report steady growth. According to the estimates of Persistence Market Research (PMR), the Australia and New Zealand surgical and respirator masks market is poised for a CAGR of 3.3% between 2015 and 2021. In terms of value, the market stood at US$137.8 mn in 2015. By 2021, the market is expected to stand at US$167.7 mn.

Rising Surgical Procedures in Australia and New Zealand to Stoke Demand for Surgical Respirator Masks

Companies selling surgical and respirator masks in Australia and New Zealand have of late implemented several innovative features in their products. This has brought more consumers within the folds of the market, says the study. Consumers have become more conscious of adopting hygiene practices, giving a further push to the demand for surgical respirator masks in Australia and New Zealand.

While there are ample factors driving the growth of the surgical respirator masks, companies will also have to contend with certain challenges in the near future. The key challenge facing those operating in the market for respirator and surgical masks in New Zealand and Australia pertains to distribution and logistics. Moreover, the market has a few unmet needs that will in all likelihood also act as opportunities for growth in the Australia and New Zealand surgical respirator masks market.

In 2015, Australia Surgical and Respirator Masks Market was Over Three Times Larger than New Zealand Market

Between Australia and New Zealand, the former is a larger and better developed market for surgical and respirator masks. According to PMR, the Australia market for respirator and surgical masks accounted for US$106.2 Mn in 2015. In comparison, the New Zealand market comes a distant second with a valuation of US$31.6 Mn in 2015. This demonstrates that the market for surgical and respirator masks in Australia is far larger than that in New Zealand.

What’s common between both markets, however, is that both large global brands and indigenous brands compete for a higher share of the market. PMR’s report states that companies such as Smith & Nephew Plc., 3M Company, Medline Industries, Inc., MölnlyckeHealthcare Inc., Ansell Healthcare LLC, and Halyard Healthcare Inc. are among the leading global competitors in the Australia and New Zealand Surgical Respirator masks market.

With the New Zealand economy and healthcare infrastructure on the course to development, several players are expanding their presence in the country. Nevertheless, given the saturation in the market, the pace of growth will continue to remain slow.

In the coming years, the demand for surgical and respirator masks from hospitals for acute care will be the highest. From the standpoint of distribution channel, online sales are expected to receive a massive impetus in the coming years.