Report: Safety Goggles/Glasses Market To Grow 4% By 2020

Technavio analysts highlight the following three factors that are contributing to the growth of the global safety goggles and glasses market: Strong demand for laser safety eyewear, introduction of bifocal safety glasses and continuous design innovations.

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LONDON — Technavio analysts forecast the global safety goggles and glasses market to grow at a CAGR of close to 4 percent during the forecast period, according to their latest report.

The research study covers the present scenario and growth prospects of the global safety goggles and glasses market for 2016-2020. To determine the market size, the study considers revenue generated from the sales of safety goggles and glasses by manufacturers.

Goggles and glasses with anti-fog functionality is a rising trend among consumers in the market. The incorporation of single-pane lenses with advanced anti-fog coatings in safety eyewear is expected to drive market growth due to their ability to prevent fogging for extended periods of time.

“ 3M, one of the top vendors in the global safety goggles and glasses market, offer safety goggles and glasses that use lenses with permanently-bonded anti-fog coatings. These advanced coatings provide a long-lasting and clear view to the wearer. Products with anti-fog coatings have superior performance, and the demand for these products will increase in the coming years,” says Abhay Sinha, one of the lead analysts at Technavio.

Technavio analysts highlight the following three factors that are contributing to the growth of the global safety goggles and glasses market:

  • Strong demand for laser safety eyewear
  • Introduction of bifocal safety glasses
  • Continuous design innovations

Strong demand for laser safety eyewear

Laser safety glasses protect the user's eyes from laser beams emitted from equipment such as laser machines. The demand for laser safety glasses will increase rapidly, due to the increasing use of laser machines in industries such as healthcare and manufacturing. The healthcare industry will be the leading consumer of laser safety glasses during the forecast period, with applications such as dermatology and dentistry driving market growth. In dermatology, laser is widely used for the treatment of skin conditions, scars, marks, and unwanted hair, while in dentistry, laser treatment is used for treatments such as removal of inflamed gum tissue, treatment of infections in root canals, and teeth whitening procedures.

“ Emerging markets like APAC will be key destinations for cosmetic dermatology and dentistry due to low healthcare costs compared with developed regions such as North America and Western Europe. Moreover, GDP growth in emerging markets such as China and India has increased the per capita GDP, making the consumption of cosmetic services more affordable,” says Abhay.

Real GDP per capita growth of the top five countries in APAC 2013-2015 (%)

Country   2013   2014   2015
China   7.3%   6.6%   6.5%
Myanmar   7.4%   7.9%   6.1%
Bhutan   3.3%   4.6%   6.1%
India   5.2%   5.8%   5.8%
Vietnam   4.3%   4.8%   5.6%

Source: Technavio

Introduction of bifocal safety glasses

Safety glasses with bifocal lenses, which allow for both distant and near vision, are driving market growth. Employers are increasingly focusing on the safety of their older employees by providing safety glasses with bifocal lenses. Workers using safety glasses often face the risk of incurring eye injury while switching between standard safety glasses and prescription eyeglasses. Although this swap may only last a few minutes, workers face the risk of serious eye injury due to non-compliance.

Vendors in the market such as Gateway Safety, 3M and Honeywell offer bifocal safety glasses with various diopters that allow workers, especially older employees, to read instructions clearly, work with small components, and perform tasks at close ranges. So, bifocal safety glasses will grow at a faster rate than standard safety glasses, posting a CAGR of over 4 percent during the forecast period.

Continuous design innovations

The global safety goggles and glasses market is characterized by continuous innovations. The focus of innovation is shifting from performance to the aesthetic appeal of the safety glass. As vendors have achieved optimum performance standards set by the market, they are now focusing on features and styling to expand their product portfolios.

Vendors are employing advanced material and processing technologies to offer high-performance products. Apart from performance- and comfort-enhancing designs, vendors are focusing increasingly on introducing colored lens products that are appealing to style-conscious users. So, goggles and glasses in colors such as blue and yellow are available in the market.

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