Medical Gloves Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product Material (Latex Gloves, Nitrile Gloves, Vinyl Gloves, Neoprene Gloves, Others), By Application (Examination Gloves, Surgical Gloves), By Form (Powder-free Gloves, Powdered Gloves), By Usage (Disposable Gloves, Reusable Gloves), By Sterility (Sterile Gloves, Non-sterile Gloves), By End-user (Hospitals, Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Diagnostic Centers, Others) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2023-2031

Market Overview

The Total Addressable Market (TAM) for Medical Gloves was valued at USD 7.4 billion in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 13.38 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.80% during the forecast period (2023–2031).

A medical glove is personal protective equipment to protect the wearer and patients from spreading harmful infections or illnesses during medical procedures and examinations. Medical gloves can contain different polymeric materials, including latex, nitrile, vinyl, and neoprene. Medical gloves could contain powder (talc or corn starch) to facilitate their placement. Medical gloves, such as those used for surgery, exams, and handling chemotherapy drugs, are for one-time use only. The FDA regulates these gloves as class I reserved medical devices.

The medical glove is also one of the infection control strategies. Medical gloves create a barrier between germs and the users' hands, making them an effective way to combat germs and infections in the healthcare setting. It is recommended to use medical gloves every time HCPs touch blood, bodily fluids, bodily tissues, mucous membranes, or broken skin of the patients, even if the patient seems healthy and has no signs of any germs. All medical gloves are either single-use or disposable by design.

Market Dynamics

Global medical gloves market drivers

Increasing number of surgical procedures and patient examinations

Surgery has long been a crucial component of the public health care system. As the number of people with acute and chronic diseases rises, the number of surgeries done to treat these diseases is rising quickly worldwide. As per the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), about 18 million people underwent surgical and minimally invasive aesthetic procedures in the US in 2018. The increased number of surgeries increases the demand for unique medical gloves.

One of the most common procedures performed on patients in a healthcare setting is the patient examination. With the growing number of these procedures, healthcare professionals use medical gloves while handling patients. These are called examination gloves and are used to prevent the transmission of infectious agents among patients and healthcare providers. These examination gloves are widely used in medical examinations, diagnostic examinations, and other laboratories. Medical gloves are used during patient examinations to protect against potential contact with blood, secretions, mucous, non-intact skin, and body fluids. Thus, the increasing number of procedures and patient examinations drives market growth.

Growing demand for sustainable and biodegradable medical gloves

Medical gloves are mainly used in the medical segment and take decades to degrade. As a result, sellers are putting biodegradable gloves on the market to address this issue and create products that are good for both people and the environment. Manufacturers are opting for energy-saving gloves that can be made with the development of more biodegradable, sustainable, protein-free, and natural rubber gloves. The natural rubber glove can biodegrade a hundred times faster than synthetic rubber.

Nitrile medical gloves are widely used as they have the lowest allergy rate, high chemical resistance, and biohazard protection. They are biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Furthermore, newer BIO-NIT drop-in technology is being integrated into the existing manufacturing process. Adding organic materials will speed up the rate at which gloves break down in landfills with living organisms and anaerobic digesters. Most manufacturers will probably switch to green and eco-friendly gloves in response to the rising demand for biodegradable medical gloves, which will help the market grow.

Global medical gloves market restraint

Risks associated with the use of counterfeit medical gloves

Any medical product is defined as "counterfeit" when there is any false representation of its identity and source. According to a research report from the WHO, about 1 in 10 medical products circulating in LMICs are either subpar or fake. For instance, counterfeit surgical gloves could be non-sterile, even though they might be labeled as sterile, thus placing the user at risk of infection. Due to both the cost and lack of supply of medical gloves, consumers, specifically in developing countries, are more likely to seek out these inexpensive counterfeit options. Such substandard or falsified products can cause severe illness or even more potential health damage instead of offering protection from the virus. It has been widely accepted that counterfeiting medical supplies, including medical gloves, poses a constant threat to patient safety, thereby hampering market growth.

Global medical gloves market opportunities

Rising development of novel medical gloves

Manufacturers are looking for ways to develop novel disposable gloves through constant research and development-based activities. A more recent medical glove that kills microorganisms without chemicals was developed in response to the rising burden of healthcare-associated infections among patients and healthcare providers. The University of Nottingham developed this type of medical glove with colleagues from Hartalega Malaysia, a medical glove manufacturer, and Chemical Intelligence UK, an antimicrobial research and development company. In addition, Medical blood-repellent gloves (MBRG) can be made by spraying blood-repellent mist spray (MS) on ordinary medical gloves and can be used immediately. These gloves can also effectively inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) and promote the healing of infected wounds.

The Ohio State University also developed a medical glove that can block radiation and not trigger allergic reactions while meeting federal guidelines. This glove can also eliminate the use of double gloves for medical professionals. The development of innovative medical gloves in the market is increasing their application range in healthcare settings. Such factors can contribute to creating opportunities for the growth of the global medical gloves market.

Regional Analysis

By region, the global medical gloves market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

North america dominates the global market

North America is the most significant global medical gloves market shareholder and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 7.97% during the forecast period. The aging population in the North American region is driving up the demand for surgical procedures, which has contributed to a rise in the number of operations performed in the region. These factors have significantly increased the number of patients needing effective treatment and surgical procedures, which is expected to propel the market's growth. Additionally, benefits such as no cut or incision on body parts, less or no blood loss, enhanced patient care, and an improved patient experience associated with non-invasive surgical procedures are expected to further spur the market growth over the next few years.

Europe is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.27% over the forecast period. The aging of the population, the prevalence of chronic diseases, the emergence of epidemics and pandemics, the rise in minimally invasive surgical procedures, the rise in hospitalization, the increased risk of HAIs in healthcare settings, and the promotion of the use of double-gloving are significant factors driving the market's expansion in Europe. Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the UK account for the largest share of the European medical glove market. Most countries have universal healthcare coverage, covering surgeries through insurance and reimbursement policies. The rise in the number of surgeries performed in European countries increases the use of medical gloves.

The Asia-Pacific region is a mixture of developed and developing countries with large populations. Consumption of both general and medical gloves is low per person. Some rural areas still reuse medical gloves instead of disposing of them. These practices are limiting the growth of medical gloves in this region. Lack of awareness is seen as one of the limiting factors, and the usage of counterfeit medical gloves also negatively impacts the market. However, the diagnostics market will have a higher growth rate in this region due to the increase in infectious diseases, combined with the aging population, which has put an immense strain on the healthcare resources in the region. Countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam are also entering an aging society reflecting the growing demand for medical care, and the demand for medical gloves is increasing.

Latin America and the Middle East and African countries are home to developing and underdeveloped countries. These regions have faced many outbreaks and pandemics compared to other regions. Many NGOs are raising consumer awareness in the market, and some countries in this region have excellent healthcare infrastructure. There is a vast potential for medical glove usage in this region.

Segmental Analysis

The global medical gloves market is segmented by material, application, category, and end-users.

By material analysis

By material, the global market is divided into nitrile, latex, vinyl, neoprene, and others.

The nitrile segment is the highest contributor to the market and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 11.42% over the forecast period. Nitrile gloves, made of synthetic rubber, are considered the best latex glove alternative when latex allergies are a concern. In terms of puncture resistance, nitrile gloves are superior. Nitrile gloves offer a crucial advantage over latex gloves, as some people have a latex sensitivity, which results in latex allergy and other skin problems. Due to their resilience, nitrile gloves work very well in harsh, high-stress environments. Nitrile gloves are often used for examination since they offer excellent protection against various chemicals. Hence, nitrile gloves are widely preferred for handling toxic chemicals such as chemotherapy.

Vinyl gloves are relatively cheaper and are one of the key driving factors of the segment’s growth. The cost-effectiveness of vinyl gloves makes them ideal for applications where glove turnover is high. Many hospitals sometimes provide vinyl examination gloves as a less expensive choice. They are not as durable as latex or nitrile gloves. Still, they offer good service in medical applications, where durability and toughness are not the main concerns, and only simple protection against contamination is the focus. The key areas where vinyl gloves are more often used include non-contaminated light hospital procedures, handling items that a person may be allergic to, and medical examinations. Vinyl gloves do not have the same allergy risk as NRL gloves, making them an attractive option for safety for HCPs and patients and effective for short-term use.

By application analysis

By application, the global market is divided into examination and surgical.

The examination segment owns the highest market share and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 9.29% over the forecast period. Examination gloves are used to prevent the transmission of infectious agents between patients and healthcare providers. They are available as both sterile and non-sterile in the market. Most examination gloves are made of latex and are widely used in medical examinations, diagnostic examinations, and other lab practices that also prefer examination gloves. Majorly examination gloves are powder-free, with post-FDA restrictions for powdered gloves in the market.

Surgical gloves are one of the significant end-users for disposable glove manufacturing companies. There is always demand for surgical gloves due to increased surgeries occurring across the globe. The surgical gloves are produced for one-time use, which requires the user to purchase a new pair of gloves for each new procedure. They are regarded as recurring revenue for vendors because they are only used once. Most surgical gloves are powder-free, as they are less irritating and dry than powdered gloves.

By category analysis

By category, the global market is divided into nonpowdered and powdered.

The nonpowdered segment is the highest contributor to the market and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 10.13% over the forecast period. The powder-free glove segment does not have cornstarch, making them more user-friendly, robust, and versatile. It is widely preferred in healthcare, especially for surgical and examination gloves. Powder-free gloves are widely preferred in developed countries such as the EU, the US, Japan, and other countries that have banned powdered gloves. The user-friendly property makes it free from airborne infections and other allergies and suitable for end-users. The powder-free glove is one of the major revenue contributors to the market.

Powdered gloves have added cornstarch that makes them easier to wear, especially during busy working conditions, and can prevent gloves from sticking together. The preference for powdered gloves is high among end-users facing challenges with sweaty palms. The cornstarch in these gloves absorbs the extra moisture and keeps hands dry by preventing them from slipping inside the material. One of the significant user-friendly features of these gloves is that they are easy to wear and remove.

By end-users analysis

By end-users, the global market is divided into hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, ascs, clinics, and others.

The hospital segment owns the highest market share and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.25% over the forecast period. Hospitals are the primary users of medical gloves. Physicians, nursing staff, and other helpers in hospitals broadly use gloves to keep them safe from the spread of infections and to handle patients safely. Hospitals are the first place people go for medical problems, so they use a lot of gloves there. Vendors are also coming up with innovations in the medical glove segments, such as antimicrobial medical examination gloves and thinner medical gloves, with increased strength and flexibility introduced by global vendors. Considering environmental issues, some vendors are investing in biodegradable medical gloves, which are faster degrading than standard medical grade gloves. These innovations are driving the demand for medical gloves in the hospital segment.

Diagnostic laboratories are also among the largest consumers of examination gloves. This segment includes hospital-owned laboratories, standalone laboratories, and public and private laboratories. In the US alone, more than 14 billion laboratory tests are ordered annually, effectively required for diagnosing and treating diseases. There are more than 2, 60,000 CLIA-certified labs in America. The number of laboratories is increasing among countries due to their increased healthcare expenditures.

Recent Developments

November 2022- SafeSource Direct agreed to deal with a Texas-based company for nitrile gloves.

December 2022- MultiCorp International secured an agreement with a global glove manufacturer, allowing the company to offer medical-grade gloves to the healthcare community.