Disposable Gloves Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Material (Natural Rubber Latex Gloves, Nitrile Gloves, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Gloves, Others), By Application (Healthcare & Medical, Industrial, Food Industry, Others), and Country Forecast, 2024-2032

The global disposable gloves market size was valued at USD 17.12 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 19.88 billion in 2024 to USD 51.75 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 12.7% during the forecast period. Southeast Asia dominated the disposable gloves market with a market share of 52.69% in 2023. Moreover, the disposable gloves market in the U.S. is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated value of USD 3,728.5 million by 2032, driven by the surge in chronic diseases coupled with the rise in the country's aging population.

The emergence of COVID-19 has reinforced the importance of personnel hygiene and sanitation in maintaining robust public healthcare. Gloves, especially the ones that are utilized in the medical sector, conducts a crucial part in safeguarding the healthcare employees from infectious diseases. Since the beginning of the pandemic, demand for healthcare personnel protective equipment (PPE) has skyrocketed. Even though the adverse influence of the coronavirus has significantly decreased comparatively to the preliminary stage of the pandemic, demand for healthcare PPE, involving medical gloves, continues to maintain its sturdiness. This trend is predicted to continue owing to the emergence of new, more contagious virus variations. Additionally, governments and regulatory bodies across the globe are adopting stricter industrial safety regulations, thus creating new opportunities for the disposable gloves market growth.

The COVID-19 has disrupted the supply chain and resulted in a global shortage of PPE, including disposable gloves, among others. During the early phases of the pandemic, demand for disposable gloves and other protective equipment surged, and prices soared owing to supply chain interruptions caused by lockdown guidelines inflicted across the globe. To cater to the unprecedented demand witnessed during the pandemic, several companies came forward and retrofitted their production line to produce PPE kits for frontline workers. The existing players operating in the market expanded their glove production capacity to meet the demand for essential disposable gloves. The gloves that were usually limited to healthcare workers are now commonly utilized by the common public. Since gloves carries a vital role in protection against virus infection, the market witnessed significant growth owing to rising demand from both frontline workers and the general public.

Disposable Gloves Market Trends

Superior Functionality and Properties Offered by Nitrile Gloves to Drive Market

A nitrile is a synthetic form of rubber widely used for gloves. Nitrile, or synthetic rubber, which has always been recognized as a highly durable glove compound, is more durable than vinyl and thus growing in popularity. Nitrile has been around for a while, but it has only become more affordable recently; thus, it is gaining popularity in medical, food, cleaning, and other industries. A few of the important features that nitrile gloves offer are their higher resistance to puncture than any other glove material. Additionally, nitrile rubber gloves fit snugly and make the wearer feel comfortable while working. Nitrile gloves are used as a precaution against allergy to natural rubber. This makes them suitable for medical applications in work environments where contact with body fluids, micro-organisms, and chemicals is possible. Other industries that use nitrile gloves include automotive, general industry, carpentry, roofing, and others. They generally use gloves that are coated with a durable, grippy nitrile coating, which offers chemical and water resistance.

Disposable Gloves Market Growth Factors

Surging Implementation of Better Industrial Safety and Hygiene Regulations to Drive Market Growth

The construction sector accounts for the major share of work-related injuries and fatalities among all industries. As construction workers' hands are exposed to dangerous circumstances on the working site, inadequate safety precautions can result in accidents. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the majority of hand injuries in the construction sector are sustained by employees who were not wearing gloves, while approximately 30% of injuries are caused by improper and damaged gloves. All of the dangers connected with such incidents may be easily decreased to an acceptable level by wearing adequate PPE on the working site, which includes gloves. Rising building and infrastructure projects in China, the U.S., and India are expected to generate a global expansion opportunity for market growth. Due to increasing demand from the commercial and residential sectors, the construction industry is expanding in many regions. The rising adoption of tougher laws and industrial safety standards during building operations is expected to surge the demand for protective gloves.

Rising Prevalence of Chronic Diseases to Drive Demand for Medical Gloves

Chronic diseases are the most prevalent and costly medical conditions in the world. Examples of these diseases include cancer, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, heart disease, respiratory diseases, obesity, arthritis, and oral diseases. These ailments can lead to surgical procedures, long-term hospitalization, and long-term disability. Furthermore, the surge in chronic diseases, coupled with the rise in the aging population across the globe, has increased the demand for improved healthcare facilities. Many developed and developing countries have increased the number of healthcare facilities to provide treatment to the geriatric population.

According to the National Cancer Registry Programme Report published by the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR) in 2020, there were about 1.39 million new cancer cases. This figure is estimated to increase to 1.57 million by 2025. One of the critical treatment measures for cancer is the conduction of surgical procedures and constant monitoring, which is also expected to contribute to the rising demand for disposable medical gloves.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Raw Material Sources Are Highly Concentrated, Making Market Susceptible to Supply Chain Disruption

Raw materials, such as latex, used in the manufacturing of disposable gloves are mostly produced in Asian countries such as Malaysia and China. The highly concentrated raw material source implies that any disruption at the source can significantly influence almost each and every stakeholder throughout the value chain. For example, Top Glove, one of the major glove manufacturers based in Malaysia, had to shut down the production at their 28 facilities in November 2020. Top Glove being a major glove producer, this step meant added shipping delays, as well as a longer lead time for orders impacting a significant number of customers. Instances such as these can negatively impact global demand and hinder the market growth.

Disposable Gloves Market Segmentation Analysis

By Material Analysis

Natural Rubber Latex Gloves Segment to Represent a Significant Share due to Widespread Use in Healthcare Sector

Based on material, the market is divided into nitrile gloves, natural rubber latex gloves, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) gloves, and others.

In 2023, the natural rubber latex gloves segment dominated the market. Latex gloves are amongst the most widely used glove varieties in the market. These types of gloves are extremely elastic and can easily take shape of your hand with a comfortable fit. This elasticity combined with the strength of natural rubber latex makes them resistant to tears and punctures. Natural rubber latex gloves are widely used in applications that require waterproof and chemical resistant material. They protect hands against biological hazards such as bacteria and viruses and even bodily fluids. They can also provide protection against water-based chemicals and common cleaning products such as detergents and alcohols. These key factors make natural rubber latex gloves a great choice for laboratory work, dentistry, surgical and healthcare applications, and more.

By Application Analysis

Healthcare & Medical Segment to Represent a Substantial Share due to Rising Demand from Healthcare Facilities

By application, the market is divided into industrial, food industry, healthcare & medical, and others.

In terms of both volume and value, the healthcare & medical segment represented a major share of the market in 2023. Disposable gloves used in the healthcare & medical segment are critical in protecting the wearer as well as the patient from the spread of infection or illness during medical examinations and procedures. Examination gloves remain an essential part of the infection control strategy. Additionally, the surge in chronic diseases coupled with the rising aging population across the globe have increased the demand for improved healthcare facilities. Many developed and developing regions have increased the number of healthcare facilities to provide treatment to the aging population. This, in turn, is expected to drive market growth.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Southeast Asia accounted for a major market share in 2023 and is expected to maintain its position during the forecast period due to rising product demand in the healthcare sector. Constantly changing demographics and the region's aging population are expected to attract more investment in the region's healthcare industry. Additionally, Thailand and Malaysia have steadily rising medical tourism, which has been attracting a number of foreign patients owing to its world-class medical facilities. Rising demand from regions expanding the healthcare industry is among the factors driving contributing to market growth.

North America is anticipated to witness growth, owing to rising demand from the industrial sector. The manufacturing sector in the U.S. has been steadily increasing since the beginning of the pandemic. This trend is likely to continue as manufacturing can generate the much-needed jobs in the U.S. Current administration is also actively coming up with new policies that can generate new employment. Additionally, the trade war between the U.S. and China has accelerated the decoupling of China and promoted domestic manufacturing. Thus, rising demand from the region's industrial sector is expected grow and to drive the market growth.

The East Asia region is anticipated to witness a significant growth rate owing to rising demand from the food & beverages industry. Rising purchasing power along with improving living standards is expected to expand demand for food and beverage. Gloves are critical in maintaining food hygiene during food processing. Thus, rising demand from regions expanding the food processing industry is anticipated to drive the overall market.

South America, the Middle East, and Africa are expected to witness growth owing to rising demand from the food & beverage industry. Expanding regional food processing sector and the rising adoption of stricter regulations related to food safety and hygiene standards are expected to prompt a rise in the use of disposable gloves. This, in turn, will benefit and drive market growth.

List of Key Companies in Disposable Gloves Market

Strategic Planning by Companies to Safeguard their Market Share

The global disposable gloves market share is highly competitive. The products are mainly produced by large firms. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak/pandemic, small companies have also started glove production leading to a high competitive rivalry rate. Most small companies are focusing on the domestic market.

Furthermore, companies are now promoting strategic partnerships to improve the company R&D efforts. They are dedicated to introducing new goods to suit the growing trends among consumers. With the major market share owned by top companies namely, Top Glove Corporation Bhd, Hartalega Holdings Berhad, Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd, ANSELL LTD, and Cardinal Health, the market power is strongly concentrated. Increasing demand for disposable gloves from several end-use industries is antiicpated to improve the quality of the products. This can be done by lowering costs via process innovation while actively investing in R&D. Companies, such as Sempermed, Supermax Corporation Berhad, Comfort Rubber Gloves Industries Sdn Bhd, Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., and 3M, are active market players.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Top Glove Corporation Bhd (Malaysia)


• Hartalega Holdings Berhad (Malaysia)


• Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd (Malaysia)


• ANSELL LTD (Australia)


• Sempermed (Austria)


• Cardinal Health (U.S.)


• Supermax Corporation Berhad (Malaysia)


• Intco Medical (China)


• Bluesail Medical Co., Ltd. (China)


• Riverstone Holdings Limited (Malaysia)


• YTY Group (Malaysia)


• Comfort Rubber Gloves Industries Sdn Bhd (Malaysia)


• JIANGSU JAYSUN GLOVE CO., LTD (China)


• Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. (U.S.)


• Synthomer plc (U.K.)


• 3M (U.S)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• January 2021 – Ansell Limited, completed the acquisition of the Primus brand and related assets that consist of the Life Science business belonging to Primus Gloves and Sanrea Healthcare Products (“Primus”). In addition, Ansell and Primus have entered into a long-term supply partnership. Primus is an Indian manufacturer and marketer of gloves sold in the Life Science and Specialty Medical sectors and is one of the few global producers of long cuff gloves with strong brand recognition. This acquisition increases the company’s presence in this important Indian market and provides them with the opportunity to further speed up the growth of their Life Sciences business.


• May 2021 - Honeywell and Premier Inc. established a new business partnership aimed at increasing nitrile exam glove production in the U.S. In the first year alone, this new alliance is estimated to create at least 750 million nitrile test gloves. The partnership is anticipated to provide access to domestically produced exam gloves for hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare professionals in the U.S.

REPORT COVERAGE

The research report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on crucial aspects such as leading companies, products, and products. Also, it offers insights into market trends and highlights vital industry developments. In addition to the factors mentioned above, the report encompasses various factors contributing to the market's growth in recent years. It further includes historical data & forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and analyzes the industry's latest market dynamics and opportunities.

Report Scope & Segmentation