BCC Research Reports Says Global Market for Advanced Protective Gear and Armor Worth $4.5 Billion by 2012.

WELLESLEY, Mass. -- According to a new technical market research report, ADVANCED PROTECTIVE GEAR AND ARMOR (AVM021F) from BCC Research (www.bccresearch.com), the U.S. market for advanced fire protective clothing, armor, biological/chemical protective clothing, and respirators, gloves and other ancillary protective gear is expected to be worth $3.3 billion in 2007. This is expected to increase to over $4.5 billion by 2012, a compound average annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%.

The market is broken down into applications of hardware ancillary (respirators, gloves and head), armor and bullet resistant, fire protective and chemical/biological gear. Of these, ancillary gear accounts for nearly 60% of the protective gear and armor market. Valued at nearly $2 billion in 2007, this segment is expected to be worth $2.6 billion by 2012, a CAGR of 6%.

The second largest segment, fire protective gear, was worth an estimated $492 million in 2007 and will reach $713 million by 2012. Body and vehicular armor is currently a $404 million sector that will be worth $644 million in 2012, a CAGR of 10%. The $397 million chemical/biological segment will reach $500 million by 2012.

Given that the need for some form of protective gear has been recognized and in use for hundreds of years, it would be easy to say that the protective gear market is maturing, but this is not true. Innovations in materials, hybrid designs, improved comfort, and safety levels continue to move the market forward along with the need and the perceived need for the products.

Published: September 2007 Electronic PDF: $4850

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