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Market Overview

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The global medical gloves market, valued at USD 11.09 billion in 2021, is projected to experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.69% and reach USD 19.32 billion by 2027. Medical gloves are an integral part of personal protective equipment (PPE) kits that safeguard against harmful bacteria and viruses. Consequently, the growth of healthcare facilities such as hospitals, diagnostics labs, clinics, and others is expected to drive the expansion of the global medical gloves market. These gloves aid healthcare professionals and patients in preventing contamination, thereby reducing the spread of infections and disease transmission. It is estimated that the global medical gloves market shipments will reach 524.41 billion units by 2027.

The World Health Organization (WHO) promotes the use of gloves to minimize the risk of contamination with blood and other bodily fluids, as well as to limit the spread of germs between healthcare professionals and patients. Additionally, the medical gloves market is expected to grow due to their ability to provide protection against chemical and biological agents, their structural stability, mechanical strength, and resistance. They offer durability and multifunctionality in diverse environments.

In 2022, Monkeypox disease spread across several countries. One of the preventive measures recommended for healthcare professionals was the use of medical gloves. Such factors contribute to the consistent growth of the medical gloves market. The WHO issued guidelines to support surveillance, laboratory work, clinical care, infection prevention and control, risk communication, and community engagement, aiming to educate vulnerable communities and the general public about monkeypox. Personal protective equipment (PPE) recommendations include medical gloves, gowns, medical masks, and eye protection such as goggles or face shields. This is expected to increase the demand for medical gloves in healthcare facilities.

The increased use of latex gloves has led to a growing incidence of allergic or hypersensitivity reactions among healthcare workers. Allergic reactions, such as irritant contact dermatitis or skin damage, occur on the wrists and hands. As a result, there is a shift towards the adoption of non-powdered or powder-free gloves, synthetic gloves, or low-protein latex gloves, thereby boosting the global gloves market.

Manufacturers are focusing on research and development to develop novel disposable gloves for the healthcare industry. Vendors are developing innovative medical gloves that meet the evolving market requirements. For example, the University of Nottingham has developed an antimicrobial medical glove that can kill microorganisms without the use of chemicals.

Automation in medical glove manufacturing has advanced significantly, reducing costs and promoting the growth of the global medical gloves market. Companies have implemented modern automatic production lines for medical gloves. Hartalega Holdings, a leading vendor, has become one of the most automated glove production companies since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to growing concerns among healthcare professionals (HCPs) and industry experts, new research information, and advancements in barrier materials, various standards have been developed for medical glove manufacturing over the years. The FDA requirements for market entry of medical glove manufacturers have also evolved accordingly, resulting in the production of high-quality gloves. With the latest guidelines mandating the use of gloves, the global medical gloves market is expected to witness further growth.

In recent years, there has been a shift from nitrile gloves to latex gloves in the medical segment. This can be attributed to the various advantages of nitrile gloves and the presence of latex allergies associated with natural rubber latex material. Nitrile gloves offer higher resistance to chemicals, oils, and acids, and they have superior strength compared to natural rubber, making them a preferred choice.

The University of Pennsylvania’s Environmental Health and Radiation Safety unit has highlighted that nitrile is a synthetic rubber that exhibits excellent properties for general-purpose gloves due to its chemical resistance and elasticity. These properties also make disposable nitrile gloves commonly used in surgical applications and when handling laboratory chemicals, further driving the growth of nitrile gloves in the global medical gloves market when compared to latex gloves.

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) pose a significant risk to patients and healthcare workers in healthcare centers worldwide. Cross-contamination caused by the hands of HCPs is considered the most common mode of HAI transmission. HAIs can lead to severe infections such as central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus infections. Therefore, the use of gloves has been mandated in healthcare centers to prevent the spread of infections, serving as a significant driving factor for the growth of the medical gloves market.

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Market Segmentation

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The market is segmented based on various factors, including material, application, category, end-user, and geography.

Segmentation by Material
Nitrile
Latex
Vinyl
Neoprene
Others

Segmentation by Application
Examination
Surgical

Segmentation by Category
Non-Powdered
Powdered

Segmentation by End-user
Hospitals
Diagnostic Laboratories
ASCS
Clinics
Others

Segmentation by Geography
North America – US, Canada
Europe – Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Russia, Netherlands, Poland
APAC – China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia
Latin America – Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Columbia, Chile
Middle East & Africa – South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, Iran

The nitrile gloves market represented a significant proportion of revenue at 55.20%, while the latex segment constituted 45.56% by volume in 2021. Nitrile latex gloves have become nearly as comfortable and breathable as natural rubber latex gloves. Furthermore, nitrile latex gloves can be sterilized without compromising their physical properties. As a result of their superior performance, many industries, including the medical sector, are opting for nitrile latex gloves.

The global medical gloves market is categorized into examination and surgical segments based on application. In 2021, the examination segment accounted for a substantial share of 81.89% by revenue. Examination gloves play a crucial role in preventing the transmission of infectious diseases between patients and healthcare providers. They are available in both sterile and non-sterile forms. Latex gloves are commonly used in medical examinations, diagnostic procedures, and various laboratory practices.

In 2021, the non-powdered medical gloves market represented 68.97% of revenue and 73.12% of volume. Initially, powdered gloves held a larger market share. However, the use of powdered gloves led to severe allergies and skin irritations among users, prompting a shift towards powder-free alternatives. Multiple organizations issued guidelines discouraging the use of powdered gloves, resulting in a significant decline in their usage within the medical gloves market. Consequently, non-powdered gloves gained a greater share.

The hospital segment accounted for 54.08% of revenue and is projected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. Hospitals serve as primary healthcare facilities and are preferred settings for surgical procedures due to their advanced technology and skilled professionals. Gloves form an integral part of standard protocols followed by physicians, nurses, and other healthcare workers, significantly contributing to the global medical gloves market in preventing disease transmission among the healthcare workforce and patients.

North America held the largest market share of 33.93% in the global medical gloves market. The region is one of the largest consumers of gloves, driven by heightened awareness of hand hygiene and well-established healthcare facilities accessible to a majority of the population.

The APAC region comprises a blend of developed and developing countries with large populations. Healthcare markets in APAC are at different stages of development. Japan, for instance, has one of the world’s largest and most advanced healthcare industries. Surgical trends in Japan reflect a growing focus on cost containment, demand for advanced and minimally invasive technologies, and efforts to reduce reliance on expensive, high-acuity care settings.

In 2021, Europe accounted for 31.13% of the global medical gloves market. Key factors contributing to the industry’s growth in Europe include an aging population, a high prevalence of chronic diseases, and the occurrence of epidemics and pandemics. Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the UK hold the largest shares in the European medical gloves market.

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Competitive Landscape

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The global medical gloves market is characterized by intense competition and dynamism, as numerous global, regional, and local vendors offer a wide variety of gloves for examination and surgical purposes. Approximately 400 vendors worldwide provide a diverse range of medical gloves. Prominent players in the global medical gloves market, such as Ansell, Kossan Rubber Industries, Hartalega Holdings, and Supermax, have demonstrated consistent growth in recent years. The continued moderate to high growth of these major players will further propel the global medical gloves market.

Top Glove, Ansell, Kossan Rubber Industries, Hartalega Holdings, and Supermax are among the key players that have consistently experienced growth over the past few years. This steady growth of major players will continue to drive the overall growth of the global medical gloves market.

Companies primarily focused on medical glove products have witnessed significant growth in recent years. Their growth has been fueled by multiple factors, including product launches, strategic acquisitions and partnerships, capacity expansion, and the introduction of differentiated products. In the coming years, new product launches, capacity expansion, and collaborations will be essential for companies to sustain revenue growth. For example, Supermax, a prominent player in the global medical gloves market, currently has an annual production capacity of approximately 24 billion gloves. The company plans to expand its production capacity to around 44 billion gloves by the end of FY2024.

Key companies profiled in this report include ANSELL, Hartalega Holdings, Kossan Rubber Industries, Mercator Medical, Supermax, Top Glove, A1 Glove, Happy Hand Gloves, Hycare International, Kanam Latex Industries, Meditech Gloves, Maxwell Glove Manufacturing Berhad, Tan Sin Lian Industries, VLHS, Winmed Group, YTY Group, ACTEON, AKZENTA INTERNATIONAL, AlboLand, American Nitrile, Amigo Surgicare, Amkay Products, ANSELL, B. Braun Melsungen, Bergamot, BERNER International, Cardinal Health, CEABIS, Demophorius Healthcare, DIDACTIC, Elcya, ERENLER MEDIKAL, Franz Mensch, GLOVE RESOURCES, Hartalega Holdings Berhad, Hepro, HUM, HYGECO, Innovative Gloves, INTCO MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY, Indoplas Philippines, KALTEK, Kossan Rubber Industries, Leboo Healthcare Products, LOW DERMA, Medadv, MEDIBASE, Medilivescare Manufacturing, Mercator Medical, Mölnlycke Health Care, MRK Healthcare, Neomedic, Phoenix Rubber Products, Pidegree Industrial, Polyco Healthline, PM Gloves, Quality Latex Product, RFB Latex, Riverstone Holdings, Robinson Healthcare, Safeshield gloves, Sara healthcare, SHIELD Scientifi, SHOWA GROUP, Smart Glove, Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company, Semperit AG Holding, Supermax, Top Glove, TROGE MEDICAL, Unigloves, WRP Asia Pacific, Wujiang Evergreen.

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Key Questions Answered

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What is the size of the global medical gloves market?

The global medical gloves market is projected to reach a size of USD 19.32 billion by 2027, up from USD 11.09 billion in 2022.

What is the growth rate of the global medical gloves market?

The global medical gloves market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.69% from 2022 to 2027.

What are the key driving factors in the medical gloves market?

The key driving factors in the medical gloves market include the increasing development of innovative medical gloves, high adoption of double gloving by healthcare professionals, and growing demand for powder-free or non-powdered medical gloves.

Who are the key vendors in the medical gloves market?

The key players in the global medical gloves market are ANSELL, Hartalega Holdings, Kossan Rubber Industries, Mercator Medical, Supermax, and Top Glove.

Which region holds the largest global medical gloves market share?

North America holds the largest global medical gloves market share, accounting for approximately 33.93%. This can be attributed to the region’s high glove consumption, increased awareness among the general population regarding hand hygiene, and well-established healthcare settings that are accessible to a majority of the population.