Disposable Nitrile Gloves Market

Market Overview

The global disposable nitrile gloves market size was valued at USD 2,738.88 million in 2022. It is expected to reach USD 9,055.45 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 14.21% during the forecast period (2023–2031).

The main purpose of disposable gloves is to protect customers and service providers from infection. These gloves are primarily used in the chemical, cleaning, healthcare, and food industries. Over time, different variations of disposable gloves have been developed, including those made of polyethylene, vinyl, neoprene, nitrile, and natural rubber. Each variation offers a distinct advantage over conventional gloves, which expands the range of industries where it can be used, including food services, clean rooms, and industrial applications. For instance, nitrile gloves have a longer shelf life than latex gloves and are more frictionless, puncture-resistant, and allergic reaction-free. They also have higher heat and chemical resistance.

Market Dynamics

Global Disposable Nitrile Gloves Market Drivers

Rising Preference for Use at Workplaces Across Many Industries

In the workplace, disposable nitrile gloves are used in various industries, from food processing to aerospace and defense sectors. Compared to latex and vinyl gloves, disposable nitrile gloves have become more popular over the past few years. This rise in popularity can be attributed to their excellent resistance to various chemicals with an oil base, high puncture resistance, adaptability, and robustness. These qualities make them better suited to withstanding wear while operating in high-risk environments that involve meeting hazardous or abrasive materials.

Disposable nitrile gloves are made of synthetic rubber compounds containing protein and latex, unlike most glove types currently on the market. These gloves are essential for risk management, especially for those who work in the manufacturing and healthcare industries. Employers can reduce the risk of cuts, burns, abrasions, and infection using disposable nitrile gloves. Disposable nitrile gloves are also secure for workers to handle or meet metal, glass, and electronics. As a result, disposable nitrile gloves are becoming increasingly popular, especially in the manufacturing and healthcare sectors, which will propel the growth of the global market over the forecast period.

Growing Conscience About Infection Prevention Related to Healthcare (HAI)

Healthcare-associated infections, sometimes called nosocomial infections or hospital-acquired infections, can arise when patients receive treatment or support for recovery in a hospital or other healthcare facility. These infections are neither present nor active when the patients are admitted. Modern healthcare uses invasive techniques and tools to treat and support patients in recovery. Infections at the surgical site and those related to procedures involving catheters and ventilators are frequent. Most countries' healthcare systems lack surveillance programs for possibly preventing healthcare-associated infections. Standardized procedures for diagnosing such infections can be difficult to implement, and persons with them often face difficulties doing so. Every year, millions of patients worldwide contract infections obtained in hospitals. According to WHO, the prevalence of these infections varies between 3.5% and 12% in developed nations. The average prevalence in European countries is thought to be 7.1%, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Additionally, the prevalence of these infections is caused by several variables, with poor sanitation and improper waste disposal being some of the main contributors. Therefore, efforts are being made by healthcare authorities and other related organizations to promote the use of infection control and raise awareness of the prevention of healthcare-associated infections. The use of disposable nitrile gloves is a reliable means of preventing the spread of infection. Therefore, increasing awareness of the need to prevent infections linked to healthcare is anticipated to fuel demand for disposable nitrile gloves over the forecast period.

Global Disposable Nitrile Gloves Market Restraints

Rising Counterfeiting

Manufacturing nitrile gloves that closely resemble the look of the branded standard quality nitrile gloves results in counterfeit disposable nitrile gloves that mislead end users. Due to counterfeiting, the disposable nitrile glove manufacturing industries experience sizable yearly losses. However, consumers suffer the most because they pay excessive prices for low-quality gloves and are exposed to safety and health risks. Genuine branded nitrile gloves undergo several tests to confirm they meet quality standards and are safe for consumers. These quality checks are not performed on counterfeit disposable nitrile gloves, raising safety issues. Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand are the primary producing nations for disposable nitrile gloves. The US imports roughly 70 billion gloves made in these nations each year.

Counterfeiters frequently produce phony letters claiming to be from major glove manufacturers when trying to sell replica disposable nitrile gloves. Important details like origin and quantity are often absent from the boxes in which fake gloves are shipped. Manufacturers frequently issue statements warning consumers of counterfeit versions of their products and fraudulent activities involving fraudsters posing as manufacturing companies’ brokers to inform them of such activities. Along with having a negative social impact on consumers, counterfeiting has a sizable negative economic impact on the market for disposable nitrile gloves worldwide. Therefore, counterfeiting is the primary factor impeding the growth of the global market for disposable nitrile gloves.

Regional Analysis

By region, the global market is segmented into America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa.

America Dominates the Global Market

America is the most significant global disposable nitrile gloves market shareholder and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.03% during the forecast period. The market in the Americas currently has the largest market share and is anticipated to expand significantly over the forecast period. The region has seen a significant rise in healthcare-related infections and a high importation of disposable nitrile gloves over the past few years. In addition, modern healthcare practices in the area use a range of invasive techniques and equipment to treat patients and speed up their recovery. Catheters, ventilators, and surgical procedures are frequently linked to healthcare-related infections in the area. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been striving to track and stop the spread of hospital-acquired diseases because of the dangers they represent to patients. Additionally, there has been a substantial rise in the need for gloves with superior levels of protection against various oil-based chemicals, high puncture resistance, versatility, and robustness, which has fueled the demand for disposable nitrile gloves in the area over the past few years. Further, the regional government's import regulations for disposable nitrile gloves are favorable.

Europe is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 14.46% during the forecast period. The increased use of disposable nitrile gloves across key industries, such as healthcare and manufacturing, and government initiatives to promote nitrile gloves that are safer and more environmentally friendly are credited with driving up demand for disposable nitrile gloves in the European region. One of the main causes of the region's rising demand for disposable nitrile gloves is the rising prevalence of infections linked to healthcare in European nations. The average prevalence in European countries is thought to be 7.1%, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. In addition, inadequate hygienic conditions and improper waste disposal are the main causes of the prevalence of such infections. Healthcare authorities and other relevant organizations are working to raise awareness of infection control procedures and prevent healthcare-associated infections. One of the most secure infection control methods is using disposable nitrile gloves. Furthermore, disposable nitrile gloves shield front-line medical staff from skin irritation, lower their risk of burns, cuts, and abrasions, and guard against infection. Disposable nitrile gloves, especially those used in healthcare facilities, are crucial for risk management.

In Asia-Pacific, the disposable nitrile glove market is expanding quickly. Major producers of disposable nitrile gloves, including VRG Khai Hoan JSC, Top Glove, Hartalega Holdings Berhad, Kossan Rubber Industries Ltd., Sri Trang Gloves (Thailand) Plc, and Supermax Corporation Berhad, are present in the area, which is primarily responsible for the growth. Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand are the main nations that produce disposable nitrile gloves. Asia-Pacific is also the region with the fastest rate of regional market growth due to the exports of disposable nitrile gloves to significant global markets. Each year, the US imports roughly 70 billion gloves made in the region. Additionally, there are favorable conditions for expanding the disposable nitrile gloves industry in the area due to the simple availability of raw materials and cheap labor. The demand for disposable nitrile gloves is also driven by the region's growing concern over healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

The Middle East and Africa region is anticipated to grow steadily over the forecast period. The region's demand for disposable nitrile gloves is anticipated to be driven by raising awareness of HAIs and promoting the use of examination gloves as a safe practice. Furthermore, expanding the region's manufacturing and food service sectors is anticipated to boost demand for disposable nitrile gloves. Due to their superior grip in greasy environments and high oil, water, and grease resistance, disposable nitrile gloves offer protection from abrasion, cutting, tearing, and perforation. These characteristics make disposable nitrile gloves well-suited for the mining industry, creating a demand for them. Therefore, it is anticipated that the Middle East and Africa will experience relatively slower growth in the disposable nitrile glove market during the forecast period.

Segmental Analysis

The global market is segmented by type and application.

Based on the type, the global market is bifurcated into powder-free and powdered.

The powder-free segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.77% during the forecast period. The high strength and durability of powder-free disposable nitrile gloves make them advantageous for manufacturing sectors where workers may meet glass and metal-based materials. These gloves are better suited for use in high-risk environments that involve contact with hazardous or abrasive materials. They also provide greater versatility and resist chemicals, water, and oil. Additionally, because they are powder-free and have a lower risk of contamination than powdered gloves, they are perfect for the food service industry. The electronics industry prefers them because they provide better grip and dexterity levels for handling and difficult work.

Powdered disposable nitrile gloves are simple to put on and take off because they were manufactured with corn starch, which acts as a lubricant. Corn starch can trigger allergic reactions or sensitivity problems if worn for a long time. As a result, several nations, including the US, have outlawed powdered disposable nitrile gloves.

Based on the application, the global market is bifurcated into medical and non-medical.

The medical segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.84% during the forecast period. These include the disposable nitrile gloves used in medical facilities and other places of a like nature. Healthcare professionals and occasionally patients wear disposable nitrile gloves primarily used for patient examination.

The non-medical segment includes the disposable nitrile gloves employed in sectors other than the healthcare industry. They benefit various industries, including manufacturing, food service, and electronics, due to their excellent protection against several oil-based chemicals, high puncture resistance, versatility, and robustness.

Recent Developments

• September 2022- Ansell, a leader in the production of chemical personal protective equipment (PPE), and Chemwatch, a specialist in the management of chemicals and the creation of safety data sheets (SDS), announced their partnership on a global scale.
• December 2022- The HARTMANN Group and the health-tech startup Rimasys Group partnered to combine the best OR products with cutting-edge surgical training. The collaboration aims to assist surgeons, especially those engaged in orthopedic and emergency medical work.