Amid the unpredictable and complicated developments of COVID-19 manufacturers in the field of personal protective equipment (PPE) beefing up capacity in order to meet the soaring public demand as they recognize that the potential of this market is still quite large.

PPE manufacturers are focusing on increasing production capacity to meet a growing market demand. Workers are seen at the Danameco Medical Joint Stock Corporation. Photo: QUYNH TRANG

In the past, the PPE market was mainly involved in the production of workwear for workers in heavy industries such as petroleum, electricity, mechanical engineering, while in the consumer sector, most of the gloves were used for food processing. However, everything has changed since the COVID-19 broke out in early 2020, which led to a surge in the public demand for PPE.

As typing the phrase “COVID-19 protective gear” on an e-commerce platform, there are hundreds of results that appear at the same time with abundant images of pandemic preventive items such as medical masks and gloves, protective suits, jackets, glasses and shoes, respiratory protection, and full-body protective suits. These items are also sold individually with different prices, ranging from VND 40,000 - 200,000/set, and VND16,000 - 100,000/item.

Mr. Vu Van Quan residing in My An Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District said he is especially interested in the line of PPE. He often chooses to buy PPE items at reputable medical equipment trading establishments, rather than ordering them online because he is afraid of buying poor quality or unknown products with many potential risks of irritation and damage to the skin.

“I have bought a few set of 5-piece COVID-19 protective gear including a hat, footwear , gloves, safety glasses and medical masks. I think, not only me,  many people are interested in these highly useful items to protect themselves against coronavirus infections.

PPE used in COVID-19 prevention and control are all single-use, almost non-reusable, so the demand is great, and in extremely scarce conditions amid the global coronavirus resurgence. Meanwhile, as for domestic supply, there is a shortage of raw materials, the global supply chain is interrupted due to the pandemic, which resulted in a hike in the price of personal protective products. PPE items double or are even 5 times higher than normal. For example, medical masks - a basic protection item- have sometimes increased many times.

Da Nang-based Danameco Medical Joint Stock Corporation is an enterprise specializing in the production of medical protective equipment.

Mr. Vo Anh Duc, Danameco's project manager, said that, in terms of PPE production capacity, in the first half of 2021, Danameco produced approximately 2.1 million costumes; average 350,000 sets/month.

These items are mainly consumed in the domestic market, with supplies to medical examination and treatment facilities, hospitals and medical units under the Ministry and municipal/provincial departments of Health, centers for Disease Control, concentrated quarantine areas and pandemic-hit localities. Danameco has exported PPE items to fastidious markets such as Japan, the U.S.

“In light of complicated pandemic in Viet Nam, and around the world at large, the need to use protective clothing against infectious agents is urgent. Therefore, there is spacious room for the development of the PPE market. In the coming time, we will continue to focus on manufacturing high-end medical products that meet international standards. Simultaneously, heed will be paid to optimizing the production line, enhancing the professional skills of the staff in a bid to ensure the maximum output capacity, thus promptly meeting the material needs of domestic and foreign customers “, said Mr. Duc.

Participating in the supply chain of PPE, ArtCare Trade  and Services Joint Stock Company is also a reputable provider of a full range of chemicals and protective items including medical masks, gloves, high-class N95 masks, 7-piece protective outfits for those on duty in the frontline against the pandemic.

Ms. Do Hien, the ArtCare Director, assessed: “The PPE market has a lot of potential. SARS-CoV2 as well as other virus strains are becoming more and more dangerous, the level of control is more difficult, and it will almost be time to “coexist with the virus”, meaning that personal protection is an essential to anyone. Moreover, the public awareness of protecting themselves from risks has been significantly enhanced. Wearing face masks in public will be a habit when going out. In addition to the domestic market, exports to neighboring countries or large markets such as the U.S., Japan, and Europe is also very potential”.

According to insiders, it is likely that the global demand for PPE will stay robust and some even forecast a steady increase in demand until 2025. When the pandemic is over, the demand for PPE will likely drop, but not plummet, as governments and consumers are likely becoming more sensitive towards health and prevention.

Reporting by QUYNH TRANG – Translating by A.T