Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Hand Protection, Protective Clothing, Protective Footwear, Respiratory Protection, Head, Eye and Face Protection, Fall Protection, Hearing Protection, Others), By Application (Consumer, Health Care, Industrial, Food Service, Construction, Transportation, Others), Regional Insights and Forecast to 2035

Unique Information about the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market

The global Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) market size was valued at USD 89109.59 million in 2026 and is projected to grow from USD 154398.01 million in 2026 to USD 154398.01 billion by 2035, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period.

The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market is strongly influenced by industrial safety mandates, healthcare infection control protocols, and construction workforce expansion across more than 120 countries. Over 2.9 million workplace fatalities and nearly 395 million occupational injuries are reported globally every year, increasing the adoption of PPE products such as respirators, gloves, helmets, and protective footwear. More than 68% of industrial facilities in developed economies have implemented mandatory PPE compliance audits at least twice annually. Respiratory protection products account for nearly 24% of industrial safety procurement volumes worldwide. Smart PPE adoption increased by 31% between 2022 and 2025 due to sensor-enabled helmets and connected wearables used in mining, oil & gas, and logistics sectors.

The United States remains one of the world’s largest consumers of personal protective equipment (PPE), driven by manufacturing, healthcare, construction, oil and gas, and emergency preparedness programs. Federal workplace safety regulations continue to sustain demand for protective gloves, respirators, helmets, eyewear, and protective clothing across millions of workers. Domestic investments have strengthened local production capacity for masks, gowns, and industrial PPE, while smart wearables with integrated sensors are gaining adoption in high-risk industries. Increased infrastructure projects, warehouse expansion, and stricter occupational safety compliance are encouraging replacement cycles and procurement of advanced, reusable, and ergonomically designed protective equipment throughout the country.

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Key Findings

• Key Market Driver: More than 72% of industrial enterprises increased mandatory PPE procurement policies, while workplace safety compliance inspections rose by 39%, and occupational hazard reporting increased by 26%, accelerating demand for respiratory protection, protective clothing, and industrial safety equipment across manufacturing, healthcare, construction, and transportation sectors globally.
• Major Market Restraint: Approximately 41% of small-scale manufacturers reported rising raw material cost pressure, while 33% experienced supply chain disruptions, 29% faced counterfeit PPE circulation issues, and nearly 24% reported declining replacement cycles, limiting procurement expansion in price-sensitive industrial and commercial sectors.
• Emerging Trends: Smart PPE adoption increased by 31%, connected wearable integration rose by 27%, reusable respirator demand expanded by 36%, sustainable protective clothing usage climbed by 22%, and AI-enabled safety monitoring systems recorded 19% penetration across industrial facilities and high-risk occupational environments worldwide.
• Regional Leadership: Asia-Pacific accounted for nearly 38% of global PPE manufacturing output, while North America represented 29% of industrial safety equipment consumption, Europe contributed 24% of regulatory compliance demand, and Middle East industrial infrastructure projects increased PPE procurement activities by 18% between 2023 and 2025.
• Competitive Landscape: The top five PPE manufacturers collectively controlled approximately 44% of global branded industrial safety product distribution, while private-label PPE suppliers represented 32% of regional procurement contracts and online B2B PPE procurement channels expanded by 37% across industrial purchasing networks.
• Market Segmentation: Hand protection products represented nearly 30% of PPE product demand, respiratory protection accounted for 24%, protective clothing held 18%, industrial applications contributed 46% of end-use demand, healthcare applications represented 22%, and construction activities generated approximately 17% of global PPE consumption.
• Recent Development: Between 2023 and 2025, more than 35% of leading PPE manufacturers launched sustainable products, 28% introduced smart wearable safety systems, 21% expanded automated production facilities, and antimicrobial glove innovation projects increased by 17% across healthcare and industrial safety markets globally.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market Latest Trends

The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market is experiencing substantial transformation due to automation, digitization, and sustainability initiatives across industrial and healthcare sectors. Smart PPE solutions equipped with biometric sensors, GPS tracking, and fatigue monitoring systems increased by 31% between 2023 and 2025. More than 44% of mining operators adopted connected helmets integrated with hazard detection technologies. Wearable safety devices reduced workplace incidents by nearly 18% in high-risk manufacturing environments. Sustainability remains a major Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market trend, with biodegradable gloves and recyclable protective clothing recording a 22% increase in procurement demand.

Nearly 47% of European industrial buyers now prioritize eco-certified PPE materials during contract selection processes. Reusable respirator demand increased by 36% due to long-term cost efficiency and environmental compliance requirements. Healthcare PPE stockpiling programs expanded across 52 countries after pandemic preparedness initiatives. Hospitals increased average emergency PPE inventories by 41%, particularly for gowns, face shields, and respirators. Anti-fog eye protection products experienced 19% higher adoption among healthcare workers between 2023 and 2025. Online B2B PPE procurement platforms recorded 37% growth in transaction volumes as enterprises shifted toward digital purchasing systems. Industrial distributors also increased warehouse automation levels by 24% to improve PPE delivery timelines and inventory management efficiency.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market Dynamics

DRIVER

"Rising industrial safety compliance requirements"

The increasing enforcement of workplace safety regulations is a major driver for the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market. More than 70 countries strengthened occupational safety policies between 2022 and 2025, directly influencing PPE procurement levels. Approximately 2.6 million nonfatal workplace injuries are reported annually in industrial sectors, increasing mandatory usage of gloves, helmets, respiratory systems, and fall protection equipment. Construction industries alone account for nearly 20% of workplace fatalities worldwide, pushing governments toward stricter PPE standards. Around 63% of manufacturers increased annual safety training investments, while 58% implemented digital PPE compliance monitoring systems. Healthcare institutions also expanded protective inventory levels by 41%, especially for respiratory and infection-control products. Mining operations reported a 14% reduction in accidents after integrating advanced PPE monitoring technologies.

RESTRAINT

"Counterfeit and low-quality PPE circulation"

Counterfeit PPE products remain a major restraint within the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market. Nearly 18% of imported PPE products in developing economies fail compliance verification tests due to inadequate filtration efficiency, poor durability, or improper material composition. Around 33% of procurement managers reported concerns regarding substandard industrial gloves and respiratory masks. Counterfeit respirators with filtration efficiency below 70% continue circulating in unregulated online distribution channels. Small businesses are particularly affected, with approximately 29% prioritizing low-cost products over certified PPE standards due to budget constraints. Raw material volatility also impacts market stability, especially nitrile, polypropylene, and synthetic rubber materials, where price fluctuations exceeded 25% during supply shortages. These factors negatively influence long-term purchasing confidence and operational safety consistency.

OPPORTUNITY

"Expansion of smart PPE and connected safety systems"

The adoption of smart PPE technologies presents substantial opportunities in the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market. Connected safety equipment with real-time monitoring capabilities expanded by 31% between 2023 and 2025. Smart helmets equipped with thermal sensors, communication systems, and fatigue tracking are increasingly deployed across mining, oil & gas, and logistics operations. Nearly 48% of large industrial enterprises are testing wearable PPE systems integrated with AI-based analytics platforms. Fall detection systems reduced emergency response time by approximately 22% in construction environments. Demand for smart respiratory systems capable of air quality monitoring increased by 26%. Warehousing automation projects also boosted demand for sensor-integrated protective footwear and high-visibility clothing. Government infrastructure modernization projects across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East continue supporting advanced PPE deployment in large-scale industrial sites.

CHALLENGE

"Supply chain disruptions and raw material dependency"

Global supply chain instability remains a major challenge for the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market. More than 61% of PPE manufacturers rely on imported synthetic materials including nitrile rubber, polypropylene fibers, and specialty polymers. Shipping disruptions increased average delivery timelines by 17% during periods of port congestion and trade restrictions. Around 28% of industrial buyers reported inventory shortages affecting respiratory protection and medical-grade gloves. Energy cost inflation also increased production expenses for PPE manufacturers operating automated facilities. Smaller regional suppliers experienced nearly 21% lower operational efficiency due to inconsistent raw material availability. Regulatory certification requirements create additional barriers, as product approval timelines often exceed 6 to 12 months for specialized protective equipment. These operational challenges continue affecting manufacturing scalability and procurement planning worldwide.

Segmentation Analysis

The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market is segmented by type and application across industrial, healthcare, construction, transportation, and consumer sectors. Hand protection products account for nearly 30% of total product demand due to extensive usage in manufacturing and healthcare environments. Respiratory protection contributes approximately 24% of global consumption, particularly in healthcare and mining sectors. Industrial applications represent around 46% of overall PPE utilization, while healthcare applications contribute 22%. Construction industries account for nearly 17% of PPE demand due to increasing infrastructure projects globally.

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By Type

Hand Protection: Hand protection products account for approximately 30% of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market due to widespread adoption across healthcare, manufacturing, automotive, and chemical industries. Disposable nitrile gloves represent nearly 54% of total glove demand because of puncture resistance and chemical protection capabilities. Healthcare facilities consume more than 280 billion disposable gloves annually worldwide. Industrial glove replacement frequency increased by 23% between 2023 and 2025 due to stricter contamination control measures.

Protective Clothing: Protective clothing contributes around 18% of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, supported by increasing usage in chemical processing, firefighting, healthcare, and oil & gas industries. Flame-resistant clothing demand increased by 26% across energy and utility sectors. More than 62% of petrochemical facilities now require multi-layer protective suits for high-risk operations. Disposable isolation gowns remain heavily utilized in healthcare institutions, with hospital procurement volumes rising by 31% after pandemic preparedness initiatives.

Protective Footwear: Protective footwear accounts for approximately 12% of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market. Industrial safety boots with slip-resistant soles represent nearly 44% of total footwear demand. Construction industries consume over 38% of industrial protective footwear globally due to high accident exposure rates. Composite toe footwear adoption increased by 21% because of lighter weight and electrical hazard resistance. Waterproof safety footwear demand rose by 16% in logistics and outdoor infrastructure projects. Smart safety shoes equipped with pressure sensors and worker tracking systems are increasingly used in automated warehouses.

Respiratory Protection: Respiratory protection products contribute approximately 24% of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market. N95 respirators remain dominant, accounting for nearly 48% of respiratory PPE demand in healthcare and industrial applications. Mining, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and chemical processing sectors collectively represent 39% of industrial respirator usage. Powered air-purifying respirators experienced 18% growth in hazardous industrial environments. Governments across more than 50 countries expanded national respirator reserves after public health emergency preparedness programs.

Head, Eye and Face Protection: Head, eye, and face protection products represent nearly 11% of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market. Industrial helmets are mandatory across more than 85% of construction and mining sites worldwide. Smart helmets with communication systems and fatigue sensors increased adoption by 28% between 2023 and 2025. Protective eyewear demand rose by 24% in manufacturing facilities due to increased laser processing and automated machinery operations. Face shields remain highly utilized in healthcare and laboratory environments.

Fall Protection: Fall protection equipment contributes nearly 7% of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market. Construction industries account for over 61% of fall protection demand due to elevated worksite risks. More than 684,000 workplace injuries related to falls are reported annually worldwide. Safety harness adoption increased by 23% across infrastructure development projects. Self-retracting lifeline systems experienced 16% higher deployment in telecommunications tower maintenance operations. Government safety authorities in over 40 countries strengthened fall protection compliance regulations between 2022 and 2025.

Hearing Protection: Hearing protection products account for around 5% of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market. More than 1 billion workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels exceeding 85 decibels globally. Earplugs represent approximately 58% of hearing protection product consumption because of affordability and disposable usage patterns. Industrial earmuff demand increased by 17% in aviation and manufacturing facilities. Smart hearing protection devices with communication integration gained traction in mining and defense applications.

Others: Other PPE categories, including high-visibility clothing, emergency escape devices, and protective sleeves, contribute nearly 6% of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market. High-visibility apparel adoption increased by 27% in transportation and logistics sectors due to warehouse automation expansion. Emergency evacuation respirators are increasingly utilized in chemical plants and offshore drilling operations. Approximately 42% of logistics companies upgraded worker visibility standards between 2023 and 2025. Cooling vests designed for heat-stress management experienced 18% higher demand in Middle East infrastructure projects.

By Application

Consumer: Consumer applications account for nearly 8% of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, supported by rising health awareness and home safety practices. Demand for reusable masks, protective gloves, and safety eyewear increased by 22% between 2023 and 2025 due to DIY activities and urban pollution exposure. Sports-related protective eyewear adoption rose by approximately 14%, especially in cycling and industrial hobby applications. Consumer-grade respirators gained 19% higher usage in densely populated metropolitan regions. Online retail channels contribute nearly 47% of global consumer PPE distribution, while sustainable and reusable protective products experienced increasing demand among environmentally conscious buyers across developed economies.

Health Care: Healthcare applications represent approximately 22% of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market and remain one of the largest end-user segments globally. Hospitals and healthcare facilities consume billions of gloves, masks, face shields, and gowns annually for infection prevention and contamination control. Around 89% of healthcare institutions maintain emergency PPE reserves for outbreak preparedness and emergency response planning. Surgical mask demand remains consistently high, while antimicrobial protective clothing adoption increased by nearly 24% between 2023 and 2025. Respiratory protection systems are widely utilized in laboratories and intensive care units.

Industrial: Industrial applications dominate the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market with nearly 46% share due to strict workplace safety regulations and high occupational risk exposure. Manufacturing facilities account for approximately 33% of industrial PPE demand, followed by mining, oil & gas, and energy sectors. Safety compliance inspections increased by 39% globally between 2023 and 2025, driving continuous procurement of helmets, gloves, respirators, and protective footwear. Industrial automation also accelerated adoption of smart PPE systems integrated with worker monitoring technologies. Connected helmets, wearable sensors, and real-time hazard detection devices recorded nearly 28% higher deployment across logistics, warehousing, and heavy industrial facilities worldwide.

Food Service: Food service applications contribute nearly 6% of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, driven by strict hygiene standards and food safety regulations. Disposable gloves account for more than 70% of PPE usage in food handling operations, restaurants, and commercial kitchens. Regulatory food safety inspections increased by approximately 18% across processing facilities and catering services between 2023 and 2025. Hair protection products, face masks, and anti-slip footwear also experienced rising demand in food manufacturing environments. Large restaurant chains increasingly implemented mandatory PPE compliance programs for kitchen staff. Food packaging facilities expanded glove procurement volumes significantly to strengthen contamination prevention and workplace sanitation protocols globally.

Construction: Construction applications represent around 17% of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market because of elevated workplace injury risks and mandatory safety compliance standards. Hard hats, safety harnesses, gloves, protective eyewear, and steel-toe footwear are widely required across commercial and infrastructure projects. Infrastructure investments across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East increased PPE procurement by approximately 21% between 2023 and 2025. Fall protection systems remain essential due to high accident rates linked to scaffolding, roofing, and high-rise construction activities. More than 85% of large construction contractors conduct routine PPE compliance audits.

Transportation: Transportation applications account for approximately 5% of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, supported by logistics expansion and warehouse automation trends. Protective footwear procurement increased by nearly 16% because of rising workplace hazards associated with automated material handling systems and distribution centers. Reflective clothing usage rose by approximately 22% among transportation workers operating in low-visibility conditions and high-traffic logistics environments. Smart helmets and wearable worker tracking systems are increasingly deployed in warehouse safety management programs. E-commerce growth significantly expanded PPE demand across freight, shipping, and delivery operations.

Others: Other applications, including defense, agriculture, emergency response, and utilities, contribute nearly 4% of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market. Defense organizations increased procurement of advanced respiratory protection systems by approximately 18% between 2023 and 2025 due to tactical safety modernization programs. Agricultural sectors expanded chemical-resistant glove usage by nearly 15% to improve pesticide handling safety. Fire-resistant protective clothing also experienced growing demand among emergency responders and utility maintenance workers. Disaster preparedness programs across multiple countries increased stockpiling of emergency PPE supplies.

Regional Outlook

The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market demonstrates strong regional diversification driven by industrialization, healthcare preparedness, and workplace safety regulations. Asia-Pacific holds nearly 38% market share due to large manufacturing capacity, while North America accounts for approximately 29% because of strict OSHA compliance standards. Europe contributes around 24% through sustainable PPE adoption, and Middle East & Africa represent nearly 9% supported by oil, gas, mining, and infrastructure development projects.

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North America

North America accounts for approximately 29% of the global Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, supported by strict workplace safety regulations, high industrial compliance rates, and advanced healthcare infrastructure. The United States dominates regional demand, with OSHA regulations covering more than 130 million workers across nearly 8 million workplaces. Around 74% of industrial employers in the region conduct mandatory PPE audits at least twice annually, increasing procurement of gloves, respirators, helmets, and protective footwear. Construction activities involving over 8 million workers continue driving strong demand for fall protection systems, hard hats, and high-visibility clothing across commercial and infrastructure projects.

Industrial manufacturing contributes nearly 38% of North American PPE consumption, particularly in automotive, aerospace, chemical processing, and logistics sectors. Smart PPE adoption increased by 28% between 2023 and 2025 due to warehouse automation and connected worker safety programs. Respiratory protection products remain highly utilized because of wildfire smoke exposure and industrial air quality regulations. Healthcare facilities expanded PPE stockpiles by 41% following pandemic preparedness strategies, increasing demand for disposable gloves, surgical masks, and protective gowns. Canada also strengthened mining-related PPE procurement by approximately 16%, supported by rising mineral exploration and stricter occupational safety standards in underground operations and extraction facilities.

Europe

Europe represents nearly 24% of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market and remains one of the most regulation-driven regions globally. More than 67% of industrial buyers across Western Europe prioritize sustainable and recyclable PPE products, particularly in Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. These four countries collectively contribute over 61% of regional industrial safety equipment demand. European workplace safety directives continue influencing PPE procurement, especially in automotive manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, energy, and transportation sectors. Around 58% of industrial facilities across Europe implemented upgraded PPE compliance systems between 2023 and 2025. Protective clothing and hearing protection products remain key segments due to rising industrial automation and workplace noise exposure regulations.

European Union occupational noise policies increased hearing protection adoption by approximately 21% across factories and heavy manufacturing units. Smart helmets equipped with communication systems and fatigue monitoring technologies recorded 19% higher deployment in transportation and logistics sectors. Healthcare institutions across Europe increased stockpile reserves for respirators, gloves, and disposable gowns by nearly 34% after infectious disease preparedness initiatives. Eastern Europe is experiencing rapid PPE demand growth because of industrial modernization and infrastructure investments. Construction industries account for nearly 18% of regional PPE procurement. Protective footwear, high-visibility clothing, and fall protection systems remain widely adopted across rail, road, and energy infrastructure projects.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific dominates the global Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market with approximately 38% market share due to strong manufacturing capabilities, expanding industrialization, and a large workforce population. China, India, Japan, and South Korea collectively account for more than 72% of regional PPE production volumes. China remains one of the largest exporters of respirators, gloves, protective clothing, and industrial safety footwear globally. Manufacturing industries across Asia-Pacific employ more than 420 million workers, significantly increasing PPE consumption in factories, logistics facilities, and infrastructure projects. Industrial manufacturing and construction activities contribute nearly 51% of regional PPE demand.

India’s infrastructure expansion programs increased procurement of helmets, gloves, and fall protection systems by 24% between 2023 and 2025. Mining, electronics, and chemical processing industries also strengthened respiratory protection demand due to rising worker safety standards. Healthcare PPE consumption expanded substantially, particularly for disposable masks and protective gowns used in hospitals and laboratories. Asia-Pacific is rapidly emerging as a hub for smart PPE innovation. Connected helmets and wearable safety devices recorded approximately 27% higher production output between 2023 and 2025. Southeast Asian nations expanded industrial safety inspections by nearly 18% to improve compliance in export-oriented manufacturing sectors. Smart factories in Japan and South Korea increased adoption of sensor-integrated protective equipment for worker monitoring and hazard detection.

Middle East & Africa

Middle East & Africa account for approximately 9% of the global Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, driven primarily by oil & gas production, mining activities, and large-scale infrastructure development. Countries within the Gulf Cooperation Council continue investing heavily in industrial worker safety systems due to megaproject construction and petrochemical expansion. Construction activities associated with transportation corridors, commercial developments, and energy infrastructure increased protective footwear and helmet procurement by nearly 22% between 2023 and 2025. Oil & gas operations remain major contributors to regional PPE demand. Flame-resistant protective clothing usage increased by 26% across refinery and drilling environments due to stricter industrial safety compliance standards.

Respiratory protection systems are widely utilized in offshore oil production, chemical processing, and confined industrial workspaces. Smart PPE technologies, including gas-detection helmets and wearable worker monitoring devices, are increasingly deployed across offshore platforms and industrial facilities. Africa’s mining sector represents a major PPE application segment, especially in South Africa and mineral-rich regions where underground operations require advanced respiratory protection, gloves, and protective footwear. Industrial glove demand increased by approximately 17% due to strengthened mining safety regulations and rising workforce protection initiatives. Healthcare institutions across multiple African countries also expanded emergency PPE reserves after infectious disease preparedness programs.

Top Two Companies by Market Share

• 3M holds approximately 12% of global branded PPE distribution share, supported by strong respiratory protection manufacturing capacity and industrial safety product diversification across more than 70 countries.
• Honeywell accounts for nearly 10% of industrial PPE market penetration, driven by extensive product portfolios in respiratory protection, smart helmets, industrial gloves, and connected worker safety systems.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market continues attracting investments due to increasing industrial safety regulations and healthcare preparedness initiatives. More than 48 countries expanded strategic PPE stockpile programs between 2023 and 2025. Automated manufacturing investments increased by 29% among leading PPE producers to improve supply chain resilience and production efficiency. Smart PPE technologies represent a major investment area, with connected wearable systems recording 31% higher adoption. Venture capital participation in wearable worker safety solutions increased significantly across North America and Asia-Pacific. Investments in biodegradable gloves and recyclable protective clothing expanded by 22% due to sustainability mandates in Europe and industrial procurement policies.

Asia-Pacific remains a major investment hub because of low-cost manufacturing infrastructure and large labor availability. India increased industrial safety modernization spending by 19% across infrastructure and manufacturing sectors. Middle East oil & gas projects also accelerated procurement of flame-resistant clothing and respiratory protection systems. Healthcare remains a high-opportunity sector, with hospitals increasing emergency PPE reserves by 41%. Online B2B procurement platforms are attracting investment due to 37% growth in digital PPE transactions. Warehouse automation and logistics safety upgrades continue creating opportunities for smart helmets, protective footwear, and sensor-enabled visibility apparel across global industrial markets.

New Product Development

New product development within the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market is increasingly focused on smart technologies, sustainability, and user comfort. Smart helmets with integrated communication systems, biometric sensors, and fatigue monitoring capabilities recorded 28% higher adoption across mining and logistics industries between 2023 and 2025. Manufacturers introduced reusable respirators with advanced filtration efficiency exceeding 95% particle capture performance. Anti-fog and anti-scratch eye protection products experienced 19% higher procurement in healthcare and manufacturing environments. Lightweight composite protective footwear also gained traction due to 21% lower weight compared to traditional steel-to