The European protective footwear market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.09% from 2024 to 2029, and the European market size is predicted to be valued at USD 2948.5 million by 2029, from USD 2300.4 million in 2024.
Protective footwear is a precaution used to reduce the risk of injury or lessen the severity of injury in the case of an accident. These safety shoes shield the wearer from burns, wounds, and punctures. Protective safety shoes are provided with toecaps that protect against compression and impact when tested at compression loads of at least 10 kN and 100 J, respectively. The industrial protective footwear market is expanding due to rapid industrial development, rising health concerns, and more worker safety awareness. These shoes are mostly covered with steel or hand-shell protection to protect the feet and ankles. During the forecast period, more people will wear protective footwear with anti-slip and electrostatic discharge (ESD) qualities. In addition, the growing rate of accidents, including trips, slips, and electric shocks, is increasing the demand for protective footwear incorporating these features.
In Europe, the industrial sector's utilization of robots and automated guided vehicles continues to grow. As businesses across Europe move toward Industry 4.0 and rely on industrial automation for most of their work, the risk of electric shocks is also rising. This is having an impact on the demand for high-quality safety shoes. As a result, the European industrial protective footwear market is expected to have significant growth prospects in the following years, particularly in France, Germany, and Italy. When it comes to the price, it has to be manufactured with premium leather, which is much more expensive than normal leather; this will increase the demand for protective footwear.
Moreover, the local manufacturers' use of low-quality leather and inferior materials has ensured inexpensive sales, impeding the market. Due to this, established market players must contend with fierce rivalry for protective footwear in the global market. Despite that, a lack of knowledge about worker safety in SME companies, particularly in emerging markets, also restrains market expansion. Long-term musculoskeletal problems that can result from standing for extended periods can be avoided by wearing Protective footwear. Undoubtedly, they can cause major harm if they don't fit properly. In addition, if they are uncomfortable, workers might not wear them. It may be time to listen to employees who have legitimate complaints about their footwear and determine whether they are receiving the proper support. A considerable portion of footwear faults is the result of poor workmanship. In the footwear industry, human error is common. Some manufacturers are incapable of creating high-quality footwear for Western consumers. Furthermore, the footwear industry has faced criticism for its energy-intensive processes due to the surge in eco-conscious consumption. However, due to changing consumer preferences and market players' propensity to combine aesthetics and greater levels of protection in a single package, plastic-based protective footwear is predicted to increase faster during the forecast period.
The leather segment is leading with the highest share of the market. Real leather is made up of animal skin, the most used material in shoes because of its flexibility yet durable properties. Moreover, it is resilient to tearing while still being elastic enough to be stretched and molded, and it gives more comfort and protection. Conversely, leather is expensive, and as a result, those shoes tend to be more expensive. The rubber segment is expected to have the highest CAGR in the coming years. For instance, rubber is utilized to manufacture the outsoles of sports shoes, and the usage of rubber for safety shoes has gained popularity due to the material's resistance to corrosive substances and flying debris. Rubber is also slip-resistant, which lowers the danger of falls regardless of how muddy or wet the environment is. Numerous products, including shower curtains, water pipelines, and shoe bottoms, are made of plastic polymer. PVC Soles are often produced using a direct injection process, although they can also be produced using calendared and cut PVC foam boards. It is reasonably priced and has good bending and abrasion resistance. PVC has a distinct pleasant fragrance as well. However, during the production process, PVC may pose a health risk.
In 2023, safety footwear held a 58% revenue share across the 3 product segments. During the projection period of 2024 to 2029, this segment will see a rise in revenue share, fuelled by higher usage in the construction, manufacturing, mining, and hospitality sectors. In the oil and gas sector, it's crucial to wear industrial safety boots. This is because of this business's numerous risks, including fires and explosions. Workers can be shielded from these hazards with industrial safety boots. Fire-resistant boots and shoes, anti-static footwear, and slip-resistant footwear are some of the industrial safety footwear categories most frequently utilized in the oil and gas industry. Workers can avoid fires by wearing footwear made to withstand flames. According to Construction Europe, the European construction market is expected to expand by 2.9% in 2029. The surge in fatal accidents that have led to an increase in the use of safety shoes by builders to improve worker safety can be ascribed to the expansion of the construction industry. In the mining sector, industrial protective footwear is used to shield workers from leg injuries caused by electric shocks, falling items, and chemical spills and to guard against slip, trip, and fall accidents, cutting dangers, punctures, and tiredness. Because scenarios like moshing happen frequently, steel-toed boots are the most popular type of protective footwear. Increased use of protective footwear in small- and medium-sized firms will fuel post-pandemic growth.
Due to the existence of reputable manufacturers in the area, Europe will continue to dominate the industrial footwear market. The industries in this region are driven by several variables, including favorable raw material prices, public awareness of safety issues, transportation costs, and expanding technological advancements from safety footwear makers. Due to the market's broad range of applications, substantial volumes are anticipated shortly. Additionally, the high costs of not adhering to industry safety regulations pressure firms to use industrial protective footwear. Global employment has expanded because of quick industry expansion. Factory workers, however, deal with lengthy workdays, terrible working conditions, and unstable employment. In addition, the need for protective shoes has increased due to strict government rules addressing job safety. Throughout the projection period, this is anticipated to boost product market demand. In 2023, the market for protective footwear in Western Europe saw a 32.6% sales share from Germany. The German protective footwear market is projected to see a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9% during the forecast period.
Honeywell International Inc., Rock Fall LTD, Bata Corporation, Wolverine World Wide Inc., Saina Corporation Co. Ltd, ELTEN GmbH, UVEX Safety Group, COFRA Holding AG, VF Corporation and Jal Group are some of the major companies in the Europe protective footwear market.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Europe Protective Footwear Market market will grow at a CAGR of 5.09% from 2022 to 2027.
Europe Protective market is primarily driven by an increase in demand from customers in the end-user such as Construction and Manufacturing, Mining, Oil and Gas, and Transportation.
The Manufacturing and Construction sector in the End-User Industry segment is leading with a substantial market share.
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