The functions of safety gloves or PPE gloves, meant to be worn on the hands, fingers, thumbs, and wrists are as broad as their purpose which is to offer protection against various chemical hazards, infectious elements, radioactive materials, and extreme temperature-associated risks. These gloves apply in various levels as for example in cleaning, production, and public health. Gloves that are protective and heat resistant are necessary to avoid hand injury and apply the hierarchy of hazard prevention. They must be worn whenever infectious waste is transferred, radioactive elements are encountered, and extreme temperatures are experienced. They are not only wanted for the sectors of manufacturing and constructive maintenance, but they are also seen in places of painting and cleaning.
Workers defensively use gloves as a part of the “Personal Protective Equipment” group of materials that consist of other PPE like gowns, masks, face shields, protective eyewear, shoe covers, and head covers. These gloves play a vital role as a barrier that can inhibit bacteria from following the hands of the healthcare workers hence, they should be equipped with these gloves while they are in the hospital.
Global Production Trend
The production of protective gloves is driven by many different factors. The primary factor, the enforcement of work safety regulations has made the use of gloves in industries like buildings, manufacturing, and health workplaces be a necessity. Additionally, the workers have an increasingly high risk of occupational hazards, such as cuts, punctures, and chemical exposure, which has caused a greater demand for these gloves. This is definitely the case for China which dominates the production as it stands at low manufacturing costs and its well-established supply chain. Disposable gloves, in particular nitrile and latex-based ones, are most preferred due to their low cost as well as the hygiene benefits they provide. Furthermore, the trend is to develop reusable gloves based on materials such as Kevlar and leather that can withstand high temperatures and punctures in such sectors.
The healthcare glove market has shown its ability to go beyond the one-size-fits-all attempts. While solid gloves supply yet, diversification drives the brand to special applications. For example, food operators require thin and flexible gloves that ensure sanitation and ease of dexterity while workers on electronics assembly lines need light and touch gloves for accuracy. Much like laboratory personnel, people working in the lab benefit from chemical-resistant and Biohazard gloves as well. Due to this change in customer demand, it is being manifested that there is a bigger need for an assortment of materials and functions in glove design.
On the other hand, in emerging countries, there is an increasing demand for workforce, as well as enhanced occupational safety regulations. As the industrialization of this area is growing, the market for glove manufacturing is soaring at an incredible rate. This indicates to manufacturers a perfect avenue to meet the requirements of the workforce from the emerging global markets by providing gloves that are customized to work in various settings. These marketing trends with variable designs, custom fittings for hands, and viability options that increase the global production trends across the globe.
Protective Gloves use case
The protective gloves have several use cases that are influencing the surge in production rate and market around the globe. Gloves, even though traditionally linked to construction jobs, are exceeding this perception to cover a broader range of occupations. From being invaluable for tasks such as welding, metalwork and handling abrasive materials in construction sites to more far-reaching applications, the purpose of heavy-duty gloves cannot be overstated.
Indeed, in the health sector, gloves having several functions are considered one of the main parts of hygiene and safety. Doctors, nurses, and lab technicians work in a very turbulent environment, wherein protecting both themselves and their patients from infection while conducting an exam, procedure or handling medical equipment becomes possible only if these PPEs are in place. Essentially, this rule aims to reduce the transfer of bacteria from food staff hands to foods they are handling and servicing.
Certain workflows demand individuals with precise movements and nimble fingers to complete them. The actuality, the electronics assembly workers rely on delicate and strict gloves for manipulating small components with the necessary sensitivity. Likewise, the jeweller can use very fine gloves to make fine work that requires a gentle touch.
In some places, the emphasis will be on chemical protection as well. The laboratory employees will be provided with gloves that are specially designed to protect them from hazardous chemicals. By contrast, sanitation staff use gloves for not getting their hands into cleaning liquids. Also, the gardener and landscaper can be protected from thorns, cuts, and irritants by hand gloves that have such capabilities.
Market Dynamics and Drivers
Several factors propel the protective gloves market, including increased awareness in the workplace and safety towards employees, government rules and regulations related to safety, and research in the field of nanomaterials are transforming the hand gloves features keeping safety and sanitation in mind. The growing demand for the healthcare industry has contributed significantly to enhancing protective gloves market growth.
The protective glove industry currently has a continuously increasing demand surge from both the new and existing factors which highlight the safety of the workers and the evolving and dynamic nature of the work environment. One of the biggest factors that leads to its expansion is the increased attention paid to workplace safety regulations as well as increasing occupation risk awareness. This has resulted in the adoption of face masks in all of these industries which is necessary for the provision of protective gloves.
An important factor markets are influenced by is strict laws. Authorities are tightening the requirements for the glove material, function, and design to make sure that gloves are more competent in keeping workers from various types of hazards. This is the step that gives a boost to the market growth. Also, the advancement of materials and design is pursuing with increasing importance. The recently published standard of China concerned with the mechanical guard’s gloves is GB 24541-2022 which is meant as a benchmark for mechanical shocks for those keeping the workers safe. The modified rule was succeeded by law on January 1, 2024 and be used by employers to make as sure that they have top and modern level of protection.
Manufacturers are moving towards increasing body comfort and flexibility as well as worker safety to boost productivity. Research in material sciences leads to the development of light, breathable gloves with better tactility and agility, thus contributing to the overall productivity of workers and making participation in PPE a realistic possibility. Along those lines, the market direction is broadening both in uses and applications. The classic heavy-duty gloves that were once the focus now covers relatively narrower uses like food handling, electronics assembly, and laboratory work. This evolvement requires more categories of materials and attributes that will contain those professionals’ peculiarities.
The protective gloves are a vital tool that is employed to protect hand safety and undoubtedly, with the rise in the shipments of latex gloves, the requirements for protective gloves will escalate. According to data from the Global Trade Observatory article published in 2022, Germany imported $491M worth of rubber gloves, followed by the UK at $285M, the Netherlands at $190M, and China at $164M.
Figure 1: Countries with the most number of import shipments for rubber gloves in 2022 (million dollars)
Source: oec world
Challenges and Constraints
However, as the protective gloves industry is booming, it does not mean there are no challenges. A rise in the prices of raw materials can diminish the rate of profit of manufacturers. The sustainable methods in the supply chain must be implemented. Additionally, trade dispute settlements and adhering to labor rights also need to be considered. The issue of worker’s compliance is critical. It is necessary to carry on the efforts of safety training tools and also provide comfortable, flexible, and task-specific gloves. As such dealing with these problems becomes essential for the protective glove industry.
Emerging opportunities and Innovations
The protective glove business is oriented towards transformation! There are ongoing researches that aim at the design of smart gloves which include sensors that can track multiple parameters such as pressure, temperature, and even chemical hazards, and as a result, workers get timely alerts. Similarly, scientists continue to work on manufacturing biodegradable materials, which could offer environmentally viable replacements for the elements that make up traditional gloves. Nanotechnology is the forthcoming branch of science and engineering with the gloves having high level of cut resistance, toughness, and excellent breathability. The trend is more to personal glove solutions which are intended for individual job and task usage. Therefore, the protective gloves industry could benefit from these innovations, as they promote great hand protection, good comfort, and a green future.
Key Developments
- In March 2024: Sempermed launched a product called Skysense glove as these gloves are made for various uses. The product is manufactured from a material called nitrile butadiene rubber without any powder material, these gloves are capable of safeguarding the hands from blood, body fluids, and various chemical components.
- In September 2023: Lebon’s launched a product called “Greenprotech” This innovative product enables a new standard for hand protection. The material used in this product is bipolymer which provides a same sense similar to skin. Incorporated with oil and water-repellent coating as they protect against a greasy environment.
At last, concluding that the protective gloves market is projected to have various innovations and growth opportunities over the forecast period. The market is driven by the increasing awareness of safety in workplaces and strict rules and regulations designed by the government with the respective safety and well-being of individuals at the workplace. There are several challenges to be faced such as a surge in the prices of the raw materials for the production of gloves and labor challenges in the workplace. Therefore, the industry is expected to maximize technological advancements and innovations to meet the needs of a growing global demand for protective gloves.
A Double-Layer Assurance of Security Through Multi-Factor Authentication
Thought ArticlesThe multi-factor authentication market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 16.88% during the forecast period to reach US$34.497 billion by 2027, up from US$11.543 billion in 2020.
While signing into an online account the user has to go through a process of proving to the service that the user logging in is the true user of that account, this process is called authentication. Traditionally, the service provider used to perform the authentication technique only with the username and a password. However, it is not a very safe way to do it, since, the usernames and passwords are easy to discover. Henceforth, to aid these issues and to add more security to the user’s account many online services like social media platforms, banks, and shopping have added multi-factor authentication. A user is authenticated and given access to an application, web portal, or VPN through a variety of authentication mechanisms using multifactor authentication, which is an electronic authentication security solution. In order to prevent unauthorized personnel from accessing a target, such as computing equipment, network, physical location, or database, MFA seeks to create a layered defense. The multi-factor authentication market is segmented into type, application, and geographical regions.
The increasing demand for cloud computing, smartphones coupled with wider internet accessibility, and the growing security breaches are expected to drive the multi-factor authentication market.
The demand for cloud computing is witnessing a growing trend in the past few years, owing to its benefits such as flexibility, efficiency, control choices, and security features among others. Cloud computing delivers numerous computing services which include servers, storage, database, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence. Furthermore, cloud computing services reduce the burden of owning a computing infrastructure or data center for companies. Organizations have a simple option to get rent access to anything from applications to storage from a cloud service provider. These cloud computing services allow companies and organizations to cut their upfront cost and complexity of owning and maintaining their own IT infrastructure. However, with the rising shift of organizations toward cloud computing has given rise to security issues. The number of security breaches has grown exponentially. According to IBM’s cost of data breach report 2022, the global average total cost of a data breach accounts for US$4.35 million. The total share of breaches due to ransomware grew by 41% in 2021. Such an increasing number of cyber-attacks, security breaches, and the growing trend of cloud computing has consequently given rise to security-related concerns for the end users. Henceforth, the growing security concerns are expected to propel the multi-factor authentication market in the coming years.
Furthermore, the growing population of smartphone users and the diverse use of smartphones for banking, gaming, education, social media, and work among others are giving rise to the demand for secure, rapid, and easy authentication processes. The rising online transactions through online banking and the high adoption of fast payment methods are due to the growing penetration of smartphones. Moreover, the spurt in e-commerce and mandatory laws by the banks for secure transactions through strong authentication measures is expected to propel the multi-factor authentication market. Additionally, this rising use of mobile banking is expected to increase the demand for OTP authentication. Henceforth, to secure transactions through these electronic devices and protect consumers from any fraudulent attacks, multi-factor authentication is used. Also, the integration of these authentication systems by the banking, healthcare, and retail sectors are creating growth opportunities for the multi-factor authentication market during the anticipated period.
The strict compliances imposed by several governments from numerous countries are further driving the market despite the rising number of data breaches. Thus, the multifactor authentication market is expanding as a result of increasingly strict compliance requirements and numerous organizations’ initiatives to create and implement improved authentication solutions.
It is expected that the two-factor authentication model will witness significant growth during the forecast period.
Based on the model, the multi-factor authentication market can be segmented into two-factor authentication, three-factor authentication, four-factor authentication, and five-factor authentication. The two-factor segment is anticipated to experience a significant revenue increase over the projected period based on the authentication model. Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of protection to the user’s account. Under this authentication model, a user is required to fill in the username and password details, and then the user is directed towards another requirement of fulfilling the information instead of getting direct access to the account. This second factor allows the second level of security in case the user’s password or username is compromised. Furthermore, the importance of two verification elements is increasing as more firms and industries, including those in banking, healthcare, and insurance, employ online transactions. The market’s need for two-way authentication models is being driven by benefits including quicker transactions and shorter password reset and authentication times. High productivity, reduced management and help desk costs as a result of fewer customer inquiries, and other reasons are also anticipated to contribute to the two-factor authentication model segment’s revenue growth over the projected period.
Based on Geography, the North American region is expected to hold a dominant share in the multi-factor authentication market during the forecast year.
Based on geography, the multi-factor authentication market is segmented into North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and the Asia- Pacific. The analysts anticipate that the North American region will hold a significant share of the multi-factor authentication market during the forecast period. The prime factor driving the growth of this market in the North American region are stringent data security policies and widespread cloud deployments. For instance, the USA has a different mix of laws for data privacy like HIPAA (health insurance portability and accountability law), FERPA (family education rights and privacy act), and ECPA (Electronic Communications Privacy Act) among others. Furthermore, the high adoption of cloud-based applications in North America is giving rise to cyber-attacks in this region. For instance, in January 2021 over 30,000 US businesses were affected by the sweeping attack on Microsoft Exchange email servers. The hackers were able to gain unauthorized access to emails from small businesses to local governments. For another instance, Facebook, one of the world’s largest companies dealt with a security breach in April 2021. This massive data breach resulted in the leaking of names, phone numbers, account names, and passwords of over 530 million users. These instances are becoming more and more frequent in the past few years in this region. henceforth, data security has become a major concern in countries like US and Canada, which is expected to propel the market for multi-factor authentication during the stipulated period.
Multi-Factor Authentication Market Scope:
The Rising Nutritional Value of the Global Infant Formula Market
Thought ArticlesThe infant formula market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.42% to reach a market size of US$78.639 billion by 2028, up from US$54.330 billion in 2021.
The infant baby formula comprises a formula for newborns aged 0 to 6 months. They are advised if breastfeeding is in short supply or to augment the baby’s nutrition. The simplicity of feeding, the nutrition mix, and the choice of milk and soy-free milk varieties make these goods a viable alternative, particularly for working mothers. These items are available in fluid, powdered, and prepared forms, with dairy serving as the primary component in all of them.
The increase in the number of women working outside the house is the primary driver of the market. Furthermore, increased knowledge regarding the high nutritious content of infant formula drives the market growth.
Before giving the powdered version of infant formula to the baby, it must be mixed with water. Because of its appropriateness as a replacement for human milk, this formula is only intended for special dietary usage as a meal for newborns. It contains a variety of nutrients that are necessary for newborns’ general development and growth, making it a popular option among working women who are unable to nurse their kids on time.
Moreover, companies have expanded their operations by collaborating with other firms in addition to launching natural and organic products that have surged the market trend in the upcoming years. For instance, Else Nutrition, a maker and distributor of cleansing components, plant-based nutritional products, and organic baby formulas developed with a proprietary buckwheat, almond formula, and tapioca, was launched in February 2020. Therefore, such innovative and clean product launches are expected to positively contribute to the market size.
The rising number of working women in addition to the high preference of the market by consumers will drive the market share.
According to the World Bank, Panama, Portugal, Spain, Chile, and, Korea are the five nations’ whose income and female labor force participation increased significantly in 2020. Chile’s GDP per capita climbed to $12,954, while female labor force participation rose to 45 percent. Furthermore, governments have initiated several schemes to increase women in labor. The Ministry of Women and Child Development in India created the STEP Scheme (Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women), which seeks to offer women employability skills as well as competencies and skills that allow women to become self-employed/entrepreneurs. The Scheme is meant to help women in the nation who are 16 years of age or older.
Therefore, the growing number of working women worldwide has prompted baby food firms to offer nutrition-rich supplements to meet the need for easy feeding. Many women return to work soon after giving birth, and baby formula is ideal for these mothers since it is simple to prepare and takes less time. In addition, corporations are using eco-friendly packaging materials, which has increased the growth potential for significant players. Furthermore, infant formula contains different nutritious properties than human breast milk, which increases market acceptance. Protein utilization as a component in diverse uses such as milk supply and specialty formula is predicted to drive up demand for baby formula ingredients in the coming years.
The emerging initiative by the companies to include nutritional value in the infant formula is anticipated to surge the market demand.
The worldwide infant formula industry is expected to increase rapidly due to the growing demand for organic baby food for children below the age of five. The growing prevalence of malnutrition among children and newborns has increased the need for baby formula. Because newborns lack the necessary muscles and teeth to chew properly, baby food and baby formula serve as their major sources of nutrition. Nowadays, parents are becoming more conscious of the importance of proper nutrition in their child’s general growth and development. As an outcome, they are gravitating toward nutrient baby food and newborn formula. These items are often available in powdered form that may be blended with milk or water. Aside from that, as consumer awareness grows, producers are producing natural, gourmet, baby food, and infant formula versions to improve sales.
Consumers’ increased awareness of ingredient and content labelling has driven corporations to develop clean-label manufacturing. For instance, in March 2021, 108LABS introduced Colostrupedis, an animal-free infant baby formula made of cell-cultured human milk molecules generated from human mammary cell farming and fortified with widely neutralizing human secretory antibodies.
Furthermore, Danone developed the new Dairy & Plants Blend infant formula in July 2022 to address parents’ need for a vegetarian, flexitarian, and plant-based feeding alternative while still providing their baby’s precise nutritional requirements. Danone has developed this innovative dairy & plant-based infant formula mix based on 50 years of clinical breastfeeding research and its tradition of expertise in plant-based foods through well-known brands such as Alpro & Silk.
During the forecast period, the global infant formula market in Asia Pacific is predicted to have a dominating share.
The global infant formula market is divided into five areas based on geography: North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. During the forecast period, the Asia Pacific is projected to hold a significant amount of market share due to the rise of online pharmacies and retail outlets. The adoption has been fueled by growing demand for organic baby food and increased knowledge about the health of newborns. Due to the rising impact of infant mortality rates and stunting, India implemented a variety of initiatives to reduce the number of malnutrition children in the country. POSHAN Abhiyaan, for example, aims to reduce childhood malnutrition by delivering intensive health and nutrition assistance for the first 1000 days, with real-time monitoring. The Indian government pushed the use of baby formula for moms who were unable to breastfeed through this effort. From October 2020 to March 2021, according to the most recent POSHAN JAN ANDOLAN survey, about 7,315,163 children under the age of 5 received all policy benefits. Additionally, on September 29, 2022, Else Nutrition Holdings Inc. established its flagship Chinese store on Tmall Global, and the business is offering Else Nutrition Toddler Formula and Baby Cereal items directly to Chinese consumers. Else’s entry into the Chinese market marks the company’s third foreign market.
Global Infant Formula Market Scope:
The Implementation of Collision Avoidance System in the Automotive Industry
Thought ArticlesThe collision avoidance system market is expected to grow at a 9.34% CAGR from $10.997 billion in 2020 to $20.542 billion by 2027.
A collision avoidance sensor system is used to identify objects or impediments in their path and assist them in avoiding a collision. The global market for collision avoidance sensors is expanding due to increased demand in the industrial, construction, and automotive industries. Because of the growth in global accidents and the advent of automated car assistance systems, there is a larger demand for improved sensory technologies. Suppliers have begun to introduce element-specific car sensors to provide the maximum level of precision. The worldwide collision avoidance system market is expected to rise due to reasons such as a surge in demand for sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and high-end luxury cars and utility vehicles, as well as an increase in demand for automated vehicles.
The increasing adoption of high-speed rail by emerging nations is driving market expansion for train accident avoidance systems, while obstacles such as significant initial capital investment in railroads may stymie market growth.
However, the worldwide collision avoidance system market is hampered by the cyclical nature of automobile sales and manufacturing, as well as high installation costs. On the contrary, rising automotive safety standards, more electronic integration in automobiles, and the installation of advanced driver assistance systems in passenger vehicles are likely to generate lucrative possibilities for the collision avoidance system sector.
The initiatives taken by the government in addition with companies to implementing collision avoidance systems will propel market growth.
The rising initiatives taken by governments and companies to implement collision avoidance systems have significantly impacted the market size. For instance, the East Central Railway (ECR) zone of Indian Railways established the ‘Kawach’ system in February 2022 to ensure the smooth operation of trains passing through the zone. A tender for the installation of the system has been issued for Rs 151 crore. In Budget 2022, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the implementation of ‘Kawach,’ an indigenously designed anti-collision technology.
Additionally, Toposens, a Munich-based high-tech firm, introduced the Toposens 3D COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM for mobile robots in July 2022, based on the unique Toposens 3D ultrasonic echolocation technology. Toposens PROCESSING UNIT and Toposens 3D Ultrasonic Echolocation Sensor ECHO ONE with advanced filters for 3D collision avoidance are now available, having undergone extensive commercial testing in real-life industrial applications with prominent mobile robotic firms.
Furthermore, Project iRASTE, a collaboration between the Telangana Government, INAI, Intel India, IIIT-Hyderabad, Mahindra & Mahindra, Central Road Research Institute, and Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), promotes safer driving behaviors and would help reduce accidents. The project intelligent solutions for road safety via technology and engineering (iRASTE) seeks to make roadways safer. The AI-powered Collision Avoidance System (CAS) kept a constant eye on the road ahead. It warned drivers of probable pedestrian accidents, lane deviations, and forward collisions. In consideration of this, collision avoidance systems have been put on 50 buses in Nagpur for a pilot study to determine their usefulness in increasing public transportation bus safety. The system advised drivers to maintain an appropriate distance from the car in front of them. These real-time alerts shortened the driver’s reaction time.
The increasing demand for collision avoidance systems in the automotive industry is anticipated to surge the market trend.
Collision avoidance systems that may either assist the driver in avoiding a collision or prevent an accident both on the front and rear sides of the car are therefore becoming increasingly important. Reduced insurance prices for automobiles equipped with collision avoidance systems are also driving the global market for collision avoidance systems. There appear to be more accidents in rush-hour traffic due to a variety of circumstances, including driver attention, exhaustion, insufficient coordination, and some others, that can result in crashes and threaten the lives of others. To provide road safety and reduce the number of car accidents, automotive companies have launched products that have in-built collision avoidance systems which have majorly contributed to the market revenue and profitability. For instance, ZF launched its new Collision Mitigation System (CMS) for city buses in April 2022. The technology uses active braking to assist avoid head-on collisions with other road users such as automobiles, bicycles, and pedestrians. It also helps mitigate the harmful impact of the braking moment on passengers. The technology is suitable for both electric and internal fuel engines. ZF first introduced its City Bus CMS in Europe to sell it globally.
Moreover, Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) debuted the Hyundai IONIQ 5 in India at Auto Expo – The Motor Show 2023 in January 2023. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 will be the company’s first dedicated EV model for consumers who wish to take control of a better, more sustainable future. Furthermore, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 provides Level Next Safety including over 60 safety technologies such as Electric Parking Brake (EPB) and Multi collision-avoidance brake (MCB), assuring maximum customer safety.
At the Safety Pioneers Conference, which was initiated by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Intel brought together leading organizations such as new tech and transport companies, vehicle makers, academic institutions, and authorities to collaborate and bring solutions to tackle road safety-related challenges. To illustrate its commitment to using technology to improve road safety, Intel demonstrated Intel’s Onsite Fleet Services, an AI-powered vehicle safety solution for commercial vehicles, in June 2022. Collision Avoidance system (CAS), Driver Monitoring system (DMS), fleet health, and fuel efficiency are among the characteristics.
During the forecast period, the collision avoidance system market in the European region is foreseen to have a dominating stake.
The collision avoidance system market is divided into five areas based on geography: North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. During the forecast period, Europe is anticipated to account for a significant amount of the market share. Vehicles in the European Union must already have automated emergency braking systems, lane departure warning systems, electronic control stabilizers, and automatic braking systems.
Moreover, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, the EU passenger car fleet increased by 1.2% in 2021 compared to 2020, with approximately 250 million automobiles on the road. Therefore, due to the developments in the automotive sector in the region, the market is anticipated to flourish during the projected period.
Collision Avoidance System Market Scope:
Gaming Industry to Accelerate the Demand for 3D Sensors
BlogThe 3D sensor market was valued at US$2.423 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.64% to reach a market size of US$5.576 billion in 2027.
Devices called 3D sensors produce 3D maps of the user’s environment or surroundings in response to the external environment in three dimensions. They are extensively employed in electronic devices to more accurately and thoroughly detail the length, width, and height of real-world objects. These sensors, which can be found in everything from cameras to drones and robots, relay data quickly, use little power, and are portable. Time of flight, structured light, stereo vision, and ultrasound are the technologies included into 3D sensors. The various product types include proximity sensors, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, and image sensors. The growing need for virtualized solutions has increased the use of 3D sensing technology in the robotics sector. Consumer, automotive, drone, and industrial applications all make increasing use of this technology.
Increasing customer demand for 3D-enabled consumer electronics products and declining sensor prices are some of the key factors fueling the market’s expansion. The market will expand as a result of the rising demand for 3D sensors for 3D gaming technology. Due to the extensive usage of 3D sensors and nanotechnology in several applications, the demand for 3D sensors is anticipated to rise throughout the course of the forecast period. One of the main drivers of the market’s expansion is an increase in the need for medical imaging solutions. Other important drivers include an increase in the adoption of image sensors in automobiles and an increase in the demand for security and surveillance systems. Additionally, the market for 3D sensors will see growth due to the increased adoption of 3D depth sensors in various devices and the rising popularity of virtual reality on gaming consoles. The mediocre production quality, however, is likely to limit market expansion during the coming years.
The adoption of 3D sensors in the consumer electronics sector is anticipated to be fueled by the growing integration of AI within the gaming sector
The introduction of augmented reality and virtual reality has greatly increased the appeal of gaming in recent years. The popularity of 3D sensor-based gaming is rising quickly on PCs and gaming consoles. The market for 3D sensors will profit from the increased use of 3D sensors in gaming devices that provide users with a virtual reality experience. Consumer demand for game consoles with virtual reality platforms is rising, improving the gaming experience.
In virtual reality games, the introduction of 3D sensing technology has made it possible for players to control the game with only gestures and without making direct physical contact with the gaming device. Gesture applications convert human gestures (such as those made with the hands, faces, or bodies as a whole) into symbolic instructions for controlling gaming consoles.
The game industry has been incorporating virtual reality and artificial intelligence at a rapid rate throughout the years. To increase user experience and revenue generation prospects, a lot of big game production companies are incorporating virtual reality into their products. For instance, HTC launched its brand-new Vive Cosmos virtual reality headset in India in October 2019. The availability of Oculus Quest and Rift S VR headsets aided the growth of the VR game industry, which in turn is expected to aid the growth of the 3D sensor industry.
Key market developments
Innovative product launches, adaptation across various industry verticals, increased expansion activities, research and development, and market investments, will thereby increase the demand for 3D sensors. For instance,
The North American region is expected to hold a significant share of the market in the coming years
Given the technology’s early adoption across a variety of end-use sectors in the region, demand in North America is anticipated to rise steadily during the course of the forecast period. Additionally, the development of 3D sensors has advanced, increasing their usefulness in inspection and measurement applications for the heavy manufacturing sector, allowing businesses to reduce production costs and shorten the product development cycle. Additionally, the industry is expanding as a result of the increasing investments being made in the creation of autonomous vehicles. Elaine Chao, secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, claims that more than 1,400 self-driving cars and trucks are now being tested by more than 80 companies throughout the 36 states of the United States. These factors are likely to increase the demand for 3D sensors in the region.
3D Sensor Market Scope:
The Advanced Technological Features Fuel the Long-term Viability of Zinc Chemicals
Thought ArticlesZinc, as a low-frequency element, is most often obtained by electrolyzing zinc sulfate. Apart from its own application, it is employed in the result of metal production and for coating. Zinc in metal form often goes into the production of nails galvanized as they have the attractive feature of a low melting temperature, and they can bind with iron or steel. To add to this, zinc is indeed an indispensable trace element in the human body. It is part of carbonic anhydrase and is contained in very high concentrations in red blood cells. Zinc as an element, is extremely important for many bodily functions like immune response, wound healing, blood clotting, thyroid activity, and others. Moreover, it is a key factor contributing to seeing and may even possess antiviral features.
Zinc is a very important specific element for humans, animals, plants, and microorganisms. It acts as the backbone of an array of industries – rubber vulcanization, paint, photocopy paper, chemicals, glass and ceramics, water and surface treatment, alloys, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, plastics, inks, soaps, batteries, textiles, and electric equipment. Zinc oxide is a standard component of sunscreens and a protective element.
Global Production Trends
The zinc chemicals industry, which is gradually experiencing notable growth on major industrial levels, has several substantial driving forces. To be more particular, China is the number one producer in Asia, whose mine production rate in the year 2023 was 4000 mt. This favor in exploitation is due to the benefits as the raw materials are readily available at a cheaper price in the market.
For instance, according to the “International Lead and Zinc Study Group” published article in October 2023 it states that the production of purified zinc metal on a worldwide scale is anticipated to rise by 3.7% to arrive at 13.84 million tonnes in the year 2023. Furthermore, it is anticipated to rise by 3.3% to get to 14.30 million tonnes in the year 2024. The important propelling factor behind the surge will be the significant mine production in China with a predicted output rise of 6.7% in 2023 and 4.1% in 2024.
Zinc oxide is prepared on a large scale as a chemical zinc, which is widely used in paints, tires, sunscreens, and many other products too. The demand for it may increase due to the industry being expanding and people becoming more and more aware of the importance of protection from UV rays. On the other hand, zinc sulfate can function as a tiny fertilizer in agriculture as well as part of an animal feed supplement. Its elaboration is viewed as a positive one through the heavy consideration of upgrading agricultural yields and animal welfare.
Zinc Chemicals Use Cases
The zinc chemicals have several use cases that are enhancing their production and market around the globe. These use cases include agriculture, rubber manufacturing, painting and coating industry, ceramics, glass manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals are boosting the zinc chemicals in various industries, the growing importance towards zinc chemicals is due to increased urbanization and infrastructure developments are increasing the need for zinc chemicals proportionally as they have found in various paints, coatings, glass, and agriculture.
Zinc compounds (“salts”) play a vital role in the production of an extensive array of our daily-use consumer products. None of the oxide pigments have such great importance as zinc oxide which is used in a variety of paints, coatings, and sunscreens due to its capability to block UV rays together with the bright white colour. On the other hand, zinc sulphate performs a vital function in plant nutrition by serving as a micronutrient fertilizer whether it is zinc which plants need for their healthy development. Another advantage of zinc is that zinc sulphate has zinc which will help in livestock feed supplements.
Furthermore, a combination of zinc oxide and ceramic is what results in a smooth finish. Consequently, zinc is involved in some flame-retardant plastics, too. Zinc is added not only to industrial products but also to personal care products. Often anti-dandruff shampoos and zinc pyrithione are incorporated into them which has antifungal properties.
For instance, according to the International Zinc Association published article in 2023, it states that zinc is one of the essential components in the expansion of the construction and infrastructure segment as the corrosion effect is mitigated and the shelf life of building materials is extended significantly. The protective nature of zinc adds up to 60% of total zinc consumption. It matters not whether the process is by galvanizing, applying thermal spray, or using zinc-rich paint.
Market Dynamics and Drivers
Various factors drive the zinc chemicals market, including increased construction activity and the global rise in automotive production. The rise of construction activity is coupled with paints and coatings and increased automotive demand globally is coordinated with components like tires and tubes. The rise in demand for these factors enhances the zinc chemicals market as zinc chemicals are the primary materials used in the production of products like paints, tires, and tubes.
One of the reasons why chemical consumption rises dramatically in the construction industry is the expansion of its development. Zinc and Oxide both of which are catalysts to the construction process achieve significant footfalls. The noticeable off-whiteness of concrete operates in professional productions of paint and cladding, whereas its durable nature provides structures with weather conditions, mainly rough weather conditions. Additionally, zinc which is a component of rubber is rubbed to give the mold in construction for the tires vehicles. The zinc-related industrial products consumption showing signs of boosting with the increase in urbanization and development of infrastructure systems. The various use cases in different industries propel the market for zinc chemicals.
The more manufacturers are producing cars, the higher levels of the zinc chemical production. Zinc is of great importance in ensuring good tune-up of vehicles. Zinc oxide, which is characterized by its versatility, will be used to enhance the wear and tear resistance of tires hence good performance, which is vital, especially in the age of fast automobile manufacturing. The boost in production of automobiles has seen the demand for these zinc-dependent products increase significantly, which has equally pushed the zinc chemicals market into the front.
The zinc chemicals play a vital role in the production of various components of vehicles like tires and tubes with the rise in the vehicle production rate the growth for zinc chemicals will rise proportionally. For instance, according to the International Organization of Motor Vehicles Manufacturers published article in 2023 it states that the production of motor vehicles between the year 2023 with respective The United States in 10,611,555 units.
Figure 1: Vehicle Production in the USA Region (2021- 2023 in Units)
Source: The International Organization of Motor Vehicles Manufacturers (OICA)
Challenges and Constraints
Zinc substances production sector constantly faces a number of issues. The instability of zinc prices is the main limiting factor that can influence the overall cost of the manufacturing process as well as the profitability of manufacturers. Moreover, new environmental regulations with the notion of sustainability in mind could increase firms’ production costs especially when they have to switch to ecological technologies. Additionally, titanium dioxide makes alternative materials of a specific sector, for instance, paints, can also be limited in the use of zinc chemicals. If the zinc chemical sector wants to retain its competitive edge then these challenges must be handled by incorporating cutting-edge technologies to it, by finding new sources for zinc production, and designing new applications of zinc.
Emerging opportunities and Innovations
The zinc chemicals industry comes up with not only fresh and unique ideas but also with new dynamics. There is a lot of research today for the improvement of the performance of what is already available. There is an interesting case of zinc oxide nanoparticles, which can be potentially applied for including self-cleaning coatings and antimicrobial surfaces in their properties. Furthermore, ongoing developments in recycling technologies have led to the emergence of the possibility of producing high-grade zinc from electronic waste, which could be another financially attractive and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional mining processes. Not only is the unique features of zinc being evaluated by researchers for its applications in energy storage and fire prevention but also new avenues are being explored in the market. Looking to disruptive innovations and brave these horizons, zinc chemicals industry will promote sustainable development and environmental protection.
Key Developments
At last, concluding that the zinc chemicals market is anticipated to have several innovations and growth opportunities over the forecast period. The market is driven by the increasing The market is driven by the increasing construction activities which propel the demand for paintings, coatings, and glass materials and the growing production rate of motor vehicles globally. There are several challenges to be faced such as instability in the zinc prices and government regulations for sustainable products may hinder the market. Therefore, the industry is projected to maximize on technological advancements and innovations to meet the needs of a growing global demand for zinc chemicals.
The Burgeoning Occupancy of the Occupancy Sensors Market
BlogThe occupancy sensor market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.94% during the forecast period to reach a valuation of US$1,375.279 million by 2027, from US$586.672 million in 2020.
Occupancy sensors are sensors that detect motion thus enabling the detection of space occupancy by the use of a number of advanced technologies like microwave, infrared, radar, ultrasonic, or video image processing. In the absence or presence of a person, these sensors automatically operate the necessary actions, like turning either the HVAC or the light systems to on or off. The sensors are mostly integrated with an IoT network of the building systems to facilitate the efficient management of the occupancy of space along with energy conservation. The innovation and technological advancements of programmable sensors with regard to the precision of detection and efficient performance have enhanced the working of occupancy sensors more than before. The rapidly growing penetration of IoTs along with the increasing development of smart offices, smart homes, as well as smart cities are a few factors that are primarily likely to contribute to the growth of the occupancy sensor market. The global occupancy sensor market is segmented on the basis of the end-user sectors, the types of sensors, and geographical regions.
The burgeoning demand for energy-efficient devices along with the constant development of integrated smart occupancy sensor solutions to augment market growth
In the current times of digitalization, where the world is constantly looking for ways to automate various operational processes, these sensors offer a broad range of opportunities to building owners, right from residential spaces to commercial infrastructures and hospitals. Low energy and resource consumption, along with cost-efficiency are the major appealing factors for this. For instance, these sensors are very actively being employed in offices for the efficient management and utilization of space, meeting room efficiency, as well as desk hoteling, among others, by their installation in multiple strategic locations to detect the motion in areas with high traffic. Due to all these benefits, occupancy sensors are seeing an increasing demand in commercial buildings. A number of occupancy sensor manufacturers are also actively seeking strategic partnerships in order to provide an enhanced user experience. For instance, in January 2022, Sensative, a Sweden-based global IoT solutions provider, and Actility, a key Low Power Wide Area Network connectivity solutions provider for IoTs, entered into a collaborative venture along with joint work with WMW. With this, the former launched an integrated LoRaWAN-enabled IoT desk occupancy monitoring solution. This solution makes use of an active IR sensor for the monitoring of desks. Further, In April 2022, Ambarella and Lumentum entered a partnership for the development of a novel joint reference design for the occupancy sensors. These sensors would combine the latest AI technology with privacy for smart buildings.
The rising investments in the development of smart houses, factories, enterprise buildings and cities drive growth in the market
Smart cities and homes integrate wireless technologies, IoT, and AI together, to allow users remote monitoring and control power management with the use of an integrated platform. These technologies aid the management of the cities for convenient interaction with the infrastructure facilities and also, with the community for the regulations of operations in the area. To accelerate economic growth and improve the quality of life through the application of smart technological solutions, governments of various countries across the globe have been actively developing smart cities. For instance, the Union Ministry of Urban Development under the Government of India has successfully commenced and completed 3577 tendered projects as a part of its National Smart Cities Mission, which is an urban retrofitting and renewal program, investing about INR 60,073 crores in 6939 overall projects. Simultaneously, in November 2021, the South Korean government’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport announced its initiative to commence the development of smart city platforms across the 64 selected medium and small-sized cities via a state project valued at USD 25 million. Similar initiatives being deployed in various parts of the world are fuelling the demand for the occupancy sensor market.
COVID-19 Insight
The outbreak of COVID-19 affected the occupancy sensor market negatively. Several manufacturing industries had to pause their operations due to the implementation of the subsequent lockdowns. The United States and China were the worst affected nations by the COVID-19 pandemic, as they are also two of the largest providers of technology across the globe. Further, the rise in active cases and the mandate of social distancing measures reduced staffing, hence, reducing productivity as well. Additionally, the recession caused in the economy forced several companies to pause many ongoing projects. However, the rising adoption of automation technologies since the pandemic to monitor and regulate the systems remotely has had a positive effect on the market growth for occupancy sensors.
Occupancy Sensor Market Scope:
3D Sensor Market – Rising Demand from End-User Industries and Incorporation of Advanced Technologies
Thought ArticlesThe global 3D Sensor market is projected to witness a CAGR of 12.64% over the forecast period to reach a total market size of US$5.576 billion by 2027, from US$2.423 billion in 2020.
The increasing use of smart devices by individuals all over the world is expected to be the primary key driver of the growth of the 3D sensor market. Furthermore, the rising integration of 3D sensor systems with technologies prominent in many industries such as automotive engineering, healthcare, and so on is likely to drive the market even further. Several companies have launched innovative products to integrate 3D sensors into their company’s product range. Due to this reason, this market is anticipated to grow in the coming years. For instance, in 2019, AMS AG launched a new ASV technology product line that enables makers of consumer, computer, and industrial goods to incorporate facial recognition systems and other 3D sensing applications simply and affordably. AMS has added Active Stereo Vision software solutions to its portfolio based on considerable 3D experience to target additional and diverse 3D sensing applications while reaching lower price points in the mobile market. Furthermore, the company has announced a cooperation with SmartSens Technology. Through this agreement, AMS enhances its portfolio of three 3D technologies, including Time-of-Flight, Activated Stereo Vision (ASV), and Structural Light, while also shortening the time to market for its new products.
The increasing demand for 3D sensors in the automotive industry will drive market demand
As a result of the rising automotive industry and the implementation of 3D sensors into the market will impact the segment positively by increasing sales and productivity. Therefore, the presence of integrating 3D sensors into the automotive industry and the development of technological advancements will boost the profitability of the automotive segment which will primarily impact the market for 3D sensors.
In addition, subscriptions of alternatively powered cars, for example, have steadily increased by 46.2% in the European Union. By July 2022, 110,630 electric cars (EVs) had been licensed, a 51.8 percent increase over the previous year, as per the European Union. Furthermore, vehicles nowadays are outfitted with several 3D sensors, necessitating the synchronization of multiple device-specific operating systems. Advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), dash cams, side mirror substitution, night vision, LiDAR driver surveillance, and gesture recognition systems are some of the applications for these sensors in vehicles. Parking support, obstacle detection, and warning of lane departure are all provided by ADAS integrated with image sensors.
Several companies have incorporated products with 3D sensors to provide better performance and efficiency, therefore, creating market value for the upcoming years.
During the projected period, the implementation of 3D sensors in the gaming and robotic industry will boost the market growth
The development of the gaming industry along with the emergence of artificial intelligence will surge the incorporation of 3D sensors into these markets. There is a rising need for gaming systems that give users a virtual reality platform, boosting the game experience. With the increasing deployment of autonomous robots, 3D sensors also see significant market potential in the industrial sector. To create an exact 3D picture of the workplace, these robotic robots rely entirely on their installed electrical equipment and underlying software. These devices can make judgments on their own using the 3D picture stored in their memory. The increased use of 3D sensors in gaming equipment to provide customers with a virtual reality environment would assist the 3D sensor market. Industrial robots lessen the possibility of mistakes, allowing tasks to be completed over a longer period. Furthermore, combining Artificial Intelligence and Deep – learning techniques with 3D sensors boosts the overall productivity and functionality of industrial operations.
Companies have launched innovative products in the industry to develop industrial automation and robotics along with boosting the market for 3D sensors. For instance, Texas Instruments announced the release of a 3D position sensor for industrial automation in October 2021 to aid in the precise, real-time operation of equipment such as autonomous robots. The sensor was created to maximize design freedom and system safety by providing integrated functions and diagnostics.
During the forecast period, the 3D sensor market in the Asia Pacific and North America is predicted to have a notable share
During the projection period, Asia-Pacific is expected to be amongst the biggest markets for 3D sensors, with China and India being the leading nations with promising development possibilities. The area’s market is growing due to the expansion of numerous end-use sectors, including consumer electronics, healthcare, transportation, and the rise of artificial intelligence, which is creating substantial demand for 3D sensors, as well as the existence of a significant number of 3D sensor producers in the Asia-Pacific region. Because of the growing usage of IoT in home automation, smart cities, and businesses, Furthermore, North America commands a sizable share of the market in the 3D sensor industry. Due to the rise of smart cities and infrastructure, the emergence of 3D sensors in the market has surged which has boosted the market demand in this region. For instance, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) reports that 69% of Americans own at least one smart home gadget. In addition, increased investments and supporting ecosystems for IoT enterprises are aiding sensor makers in producing more complex sensors for specialized applications, fuelling demand in the domain.
3D Sensor Market Scope:
Luminating Our World With Electricity Transmission Poles
Thought ArticlesThe electricity transmission poles market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.92% over the analysed period to reach a market size of US$9.695 billion in 2027 from the US$6.070 billion in 2020.
The prime reason driving the growth of the market is due to the global consumption of electricity is increasing. Another factor fueling the expansion of the world market for electricity transmission poles is the growing number of factories in a variety of industries. Moreover, another factor supporting the expansion of the global electricity transmission pole market is the rising demand for energy-efficient and robust power grids. However, there has been a gradual transition to more modern electrical infrastructure, which is anticipated to reduce the use of poles and wires and impede market expansion.
Growing urban infrastructure development in developing economies will boost the market growth
Growing urban infrastructure development in developing economies has boosted residential and commercial building construction, which is also driving demand for electricity transmission poles, positively impacting the growth of the global electricity transmission pole market. According to IEA the fastest-growing energy source in homes is electricity, which will make up half of all household energy use by 2050. Commercial buildings use more electricity as well. The IEA predicts that by 2050, electricity will supply more than 60% of commercial energy requirements. Living standards rise as household incomes and the service sector expand, and space-cooling technologies, like air conditioners, are used in more buildings. As a result, there will be a rapid increase in the use of electricity in buildings. Despite gains in efficiency, global end-use sectors are increasing energy consumption through 2050. The IEA predicts that demand for electricity will rise across all sectors, outpacing global population growth.
Cement electricity transmission poles are expected to grow at a rapid pace during the forecast period
The global electricity transmission poles market has been divided into three materials: wood, cement, and steel. During the forecast period, the concrete electricity transmission pole market is expected to grow at a rapid pace. The use of cement (concrete) poles as overhead electrical transmission lines has increased due to their superior properties such as higher strength, longer life, and the ability to span greater distances than steel poles. Furthermore, concrete electricity transmission poles have low maintenance costs and high electrical resistance. The disadvantages of cement electricity transmission poles include their brittleness and high self-weight. In 2020, the wood segment held the major share of the market. Wood was the first material used to make electricity transmission poles. According to the Woodpoles organisation, there are approximately 130 million wood poles in North America.
The growing popularity of undergoing connections may constrain the market growth
Infrastructure is viewed as a driving force in urban and regional development. An underground framework may be one of the few acceptable ways to encourage and support more sustainable growth in developed areas. A well-maintained, resilient, and adequately performing underground infrastructure is critical to cities’ long-term viability. Electrical cabling is the heart of any electrical network and is a critical, yet unfocused, aspect of the modernization process. Singapore and the Netherlands, for example, have very reliable underground public power supplies because they have exclusive medium-voltage cable distribution grids. Although they are also the most prone to failure. While most failures can be attributed to poor cable selection, proper selection is not only critical for power supply reliability and device and human safety, but it also prevents asset loss and saves costly business hours.
North America commands a sizable share of the global electricity transmission pole market
The global electricity transmission pole market has been divided into five major regional markets based on geography: North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Asia Pacific (APAC). In 2020, the North American Electricity Transmission Poles market accounted for a sizable portion of the global electricity transmission poles market. The growth of the electricity transmission pole market is being driven by high electricity consumption in countries such as the United States and Canada. These countries’ electricity sectors are seeing significant investments in new electricity distribution and transmission infrastructure as existing infrastructure ages and need to be replaced. Electric power transmission and distribution in the United States is in desperate need of expansion and upgrade, as increasing loads and ageing equipment and infrastructure place increasing strain on investments. Favorable government policies and regulations promoting greener technologies and new energy sources are increasing demand for advanced distribution and transmission infrastructure, which is expected to positively impact the global electricity transmission poles market during the forecast period. In April 2022, Canada’s Economic Action Plan, for example, includes the Clean Energy Fund, a five-year programme with a $795 million investment to support clean energy technology research.
The Asia Pacific (APAC) electricity transmission poles market is expected to grow at a significant compound annual growth rate between 2020 and 2027, owing to increased investments in electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure in countries such as India, China, and the Philippines. The Burgos wind farm, located in Ilocos Norte, Philippines, has a 43-kilometer transmission line with 127 lattice steel towers and 20 steel poles.
Covid Insights
The recent COVID-19 pandemic had only a minor impact on the global electricity transmission pole market, with a decrease in investments in electricity transmission and distribution across different regions and/or countries when compared to the non-COVID scenario. Mandatory lockdowns and social distancing measures have resulted in a global slowdown in economic growth, reducing investment in development and replacement projects across the electricity transmission pole market.
Despite the pandemic’s impact, major renewable energy projects were completed on time. For example, in 2020, the United States government issued various guidelines governing replacement, installation, and maintenance work for upcoming power projects.
Global Electricity Transmission Poles Market Scope:
Innovative 3D Printed Footwears – Printing One at a Time
BlogThe 3D printed footwear market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 21.77% to reach a market size worth US$3,296.967 million by 2027. This market was valued at US$830.630 million in 2020.
The advancing technologies have digitalized the world and have transformed the way we live. The technological changes have further evolved the 3D printing, enabling the manufacturers to produce the lifestyle articles, including shoes, jewelry, clothes, and many more, cost-effectively. 3D printing is an additive manufacturing process of designing and making a three-dimensional solid product from a digital file. This innovative technology enables the production of complex shapes while minimizing the consumption of raw materials when compared with traditional manufacturing procedures. 3D printing has revolutionized the way shoes look. The application of 3D printing in customizing trendy boots and shoes has enabled the quicker molding of footwear while enhancing the shape and design of footwear to meet the changing aesthetic demands of the consumers. The 3D Printed Footwear is trifurcated based on technology, material, and application.
Analysts anticipate that factors like evolving demand for customized footwear, rising penetration of digital manufacturing, and strategic developments deployed by the key players will drive the market onward.
Today, the fashion business is linked with quick change, and it is often referred to as “Fast Fashion.” This notion necessitates a higher level of adaptability, reactivity, and flexibility from the organization in response to the market’s constant and rapid evolution. Enterprises are meeting these changes by incorporating consumers into their optimized network. This led to a paradigm shift wherein the consumers become a part of the designing process, as the companies design the products close to the customers’ preferences. And 3D technology has made this process further easy. It is a more accessible, efficient, personalized, on-demand manufacturing model, replacing the previous large-scale and centralized industrial pattern, which is conducive to lower labor costs in low-end manufacturing. Simultaneously, 3D printing technology eliminated the time-consuming, complex mold development and manufacturing procedure. With the advancing technologies, the printing efficiency and quality are expected to improve, even more, shortening the manufacturing cycle of footwear while increasing the speed of product iteration. Furthermore, many pioneer brands like Nike, Adidas, and others have also incorporated 3D printing into their manufacturing operations to produce trendy and aesthetic footwear. Subsequently, many 3D printed footwear lines have been launched by the shoemakers, including Alphaedge, Futurecraft, 4D Run, Flyprint, and many more.
Furthermore, the strategic launches and partnerships deployed by the key players are further adding impetus to the market growth. In October 2021, for instance, Heron Preston and Zellerfeld collaborated to create a completely 3D printer sneaker by Heron01. The partnership between the two reflects the collision between advancing technology, fashion, and design. While in January 2019, Adidas teamed up with Yohji Yamamoto, a Japanese fashion designer, to design a 3D printed sneakers, Y-3 Runner, and launched the fully designed product in the April of that year. Several such developments are expected to boost the market growth.
According to regional analysis, the 3D printed footwear market in North America and the Asia Pacific is expected to hold a significant share during the projected period.
The global 3D printed footwear market is segmented into five regions based on geography: North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the Asia Pacific. Of these regions, the North America and Asia Pacific regions are expected to hold a dominant share in the forecasted period, according to analysts. Rapid urbanization and increased demand for western brands globally are the factors affecting the market. The increased demand for customized shoes, increased disposable income, changing customer preferences, and well-established e-commerce segments are a few of the factors attributing to the growth of the market in the regions. Furthermore, the presence of many pioneers and multinational shoemaker brands in North America is yet another factor contributing to the growth of the market size in the said region.
The limited resources and weak outcomes are expected to restrain the growth of the 3D Printer Footwear market.
Though 3D printing enables mass production of footwear, the current production output is still low and has much room for improvement. The raw materials that could be used to produce 3D printed footwear are also quite limited. Furthermore, like 3D printing, which prints the products layer-by-layer technology, the products created are still comparatively weaker than the traditionally manufactured components. Furthermore, due to this layering technology, only components of the footwear can be produced. Thus, there is still a lot of intermediatory work to create the final finished footwear. The production quality also needs to be improved to be able to produce complete 3D printed shoes straight out of the printer. Also not mention, the current 3D printers and software are quite expensive and also necessities skilled labor to operate the machine.
Covid-19 Insights
The global pandemic had a negative impact on the 3D Printed Footwear market. The mandated lockdowns, surge in infected cases, and social distancing had led to the closure of many production units, either partially or wholly. At the same time, many retail stores were also forced to shut down and observed lesser foot traffic even after re-opening. The surge of active infected cases proportionally affected the staffing in the industries, further affecting productivity. Not to mention, China, the epicenter of the pandemic, is a key supplier of raw materials and other accessories for the shoes. Furthermore, economic recession across the globe has caused many consumers to become frugal and reduce their spending on accessories. This led to the increased storage of articles in the inventories due to the less demand.
3D Printed Footwear Market Scope:
Protective Gloves for Safety Operations
BlogThe functions of safety gloves or PPE gloves, meant to be worn on the hands, fingers, thumbs, and wrists are as broad as their purpose which is to offer protection against various chemical hazards, infectious elements, radioactive materials, and extreme temperature-associated risks. These gloves apply in various levels as for example in cleaning, production, and public health. Gloves that are protective and heat resistant are necessary to avoid hand injury and apply the hierarchy of hazard prevention. They must be worn whenever infectious waste is transferred, radioactive elements are encountered, and extreme temperatures are experienced. They are not only wanted for the sectors of manufacturing and constructive maintenance, but they are also seen in places of painting and cleaning.
Workers defensively use gloves as a part of the “Personal Protective Equipment” group of materials that consist of other PPE like gowns, masks, face shields, protective eyewear, shoe covers, and head covers. These gloves play a vital role as a barrier that can inhibit bacteria from following the hands of the healthcare workers hence, they should be equipped with these gloves while they are in the hospital.
Global Production Trend
The production of protective gloves is driven by many different factors. The primary factor, the enforcement of work safety regulations has made the use of gloves in industries like buildings, manufacturing, and health workplaces be a necessity. Additionally, the workers have an increasingly high risk of occupational hazards, such as cuts, punctures, and chemical exposure, which has caused a greater demand for these gloves. This is definitely the case for China which dominates the production as it stands at low manufacturing costs and its well-established supply chain. Disposable gloves, in particular nitrile and latex-based ones, are most preferred due to their low cost as well as the hygiene benefits they provide. Furthermore, the trend is to develop reusable gloves based on materials such as Kevlar and leather that can withstand high temperatures and punctures in such sectors.
The healthcare glove market has shown its ability to go beyond the one-size-fits-all attempts. While solid gloves supply yet, diversification drives the brand to special applications. For example, food operators require thin and flexible gloves that ensure sanitation and ease of dexterity while workers on electronics assembly lines need light and touch gloves for accuracy. Much like laboratory personnel, people working in the lab benefit from chemical-resistant and Biohazard gloves as well. Due to this change in customer demand, it is being manifested that there is a bigger need for an assortment of materials and functions in glove design.
On the other hand, in emerging countries, there is an increasing demand for workforce, as well as enhanced occupational safety regulations. As the industrialization of this area is growing, the market for glove manufacturing is soaring at an incredible rate. This indicates to manufacturers a perfect avenue to meet the requirements of the workforce from the emerging global markets by providing gloves that are customized to work in various settings. These marketing trends with variable designs, custom fittings for hands, and viability options that increase the global production trends across the globe.
Protective Gloves use case
The protective gloves have several use cases that are influencing the surge in production rate and market around the globe. Gloves, even though traditionally linked to construction jobs, are exceeding this perception to cover a broader range of occupations. From being invaluable for tasks such as welding, metalwork and handling abrasive materials in construction sites to more far-reaching applications, the purpose of heavy-duty gloves cannot be overstated.
Indeed, in the health sector, gloves having several functions are considered one of the main parts of hygiene and safety. Doctors, nurses, and lab technicians work in a very turbulent environment, wherein protecting both themselves and their patients from infection while conducting an exam, procedure or handling medical equipment becomes possible only if these PPEs are in place. Essentially, this rule aims to reduce the transfer of bacteria from food staff hands to foods they are handling and servicing.
Certain workflows demand individuals with precise movements and nimble fingers to complete them. The actuality, the electronics assembly workers rely on delicate and strict gloves for manipulating small components with the necessary sensitivity. Likewise, the jeweller can use very fine gloves to make fine work that requires a gentle touch.
In some places, the emphasis will be on chemical protection as well. The laboratory employees will be provided with gloves that are specially designed to protect them from hazardous chemicals. By contrast, sanitation staff use gloves for not getting their hands into cleaning liquids. Also, the gardener and landscaper can be protected from thorns, cuts, and irritants by hand gloves that have such capabilities.
Market Dynamics and Drivers
Several factors propel the protective gloves market, including increased awareness in the workplace and safety towards employees, government rules and regulations related to safety, and research in the field of nanomaterials are transforming the hand gloves features keeping safety and sanitation in mind. The growing demand for the healthcare industry has contributed significantly to enhancing protective gloves market growth.
The protective glove industry currently has a continuously increasing demand surge from both the new and existing factors which highlight the safety of the workers and the evolving and dynamic nature of the work environment. One of the biggest factors that leads to its expansion is the increased attention paid to workplace safety regulations as well as increasing occupation risk awareness. This has resulted in the adoption of face masks in all of these industries which is necessary for the provision of protective gloves.
An important factor markets are influenced by is strict laws. Authorities are tightening the requirements for the glove material, function, and design to make sure that gloves are more competent in keeping workers from various types of hazards. This is the step that gives a boost to the market growth. Also, the advancement of materials and design is pursuing with increasing importance. The recently published standard of China concerned with the mechanical guard’s gloves is GB 24541-2022 which is meant as a benchmark for mechanical shocks for those keeping the workers safe. The modified rule was succeeded by law on January 1, 2024 and be used by employers to make as sure that they have top and modern level of protection.
Manufacturers are moving towards increasing body comfort and flexibility as well as worker safety to boost productivity. Research in material sciences leads to the development of light, breathable gloves with better tactility and agility, thus contributing to the overall productivity of workers and making participation in PPE a realistic possibility. Along those lines, the market direction is broadening both in uses and applications. The classic heavy-duty gloves that were once the focus now covers relatively narrower uses like food handling, electronics assembly, and laboratory work. This evolvement requires more categories of materials and attributes that will contain those professionals’ peculiarities.
The protective gloves are a vital tool that is employed to protect hand safety and undoubtedly, with the rise in the shipments of latex gloves, the requirements for protective gloves will escalate. According to data from the Global Trade Observatory article published in 2022, Germany imported $491M worth of rubber gloves, followed by the UK at $285M, the Netherlands at $190M, and China at $164M.
Figure 1: Countries with the most number of import shipments for rubber gloves in 2022 (million dollars)
Source: oec world
Challenges and Constraints
However, as the protective gloves industry is booming, it does not mean there are no challenges. A rise in the prices of raw materials can diminish the rate of profit of manufacturers. The sustainable methods in the supply chain must be implemented. Additionally, trade dispute settlements and adhering to labor rights also need to be considered. The issue of worker’s compliance is critical. It is necessary to carry on the efforts of safety training tools and also provide comfortable, flexible, and task-specific gloves. As such dealing with these problems becomes essential for the protective glove industry.
Emerging opportunities and Innovations
The protective glove business is oriented towards transformation! There are ongoing researches that aim at the design of smart gloves which include sensors that can track multiple parameters such as pressure, temperature, and even chemical hazards, and as a result, workers get timely alerts. Similarly, scientists continue to work on manufacturing biodegradable materials, which could offer environmentally viable replacements for the elements that make up traditional gloves. Nanotechnology is the forthcoming branch of science and engineering with the gloves having high level of cut resistance, toughness, and excellent breathability. The trend is more to personal glove solutions which are intended for individual job and task usage. Therefore, the protective gloves industry could benefit from these innovations, as they promote great hand protection, good comfort, and a green future.
Key Developments
At last, concluding that the protective gloves market is projected to have various innovations and growth opportunities over the forecast period. The market is driven by the increasing awareness of safety in workplaces and strict rules and regulations designed by the government with the respective safety and well-being of individuals at the workplace. There are several challenges to be faced such as a surge in the prices of the raw materials for the production of gloves and labor challenges in the workplace. Therefore, the industry is expected to maximize technological advancements and innovations to meet the needs of a growing global demand for protective gloves.