Medical Nitrile Gloves Market

Market Overview

The global medical nitrile gloves market size was valued at USD 3,138.45 million in 2022. It is expected to reach USD 9,864.74 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 13.57% during the forecast period (2023–2031).

In the healthcare and food industries, nitrile medical gloves are primarily used as a preventative measure to reduce the risk of caregivers and patients contracting the same infection. Medical gloves made of nitrile are developed into different varieties over time. Each of the variations offers special advantages over regular gloves. Excellent strength, durability, and barrier protection against bloodborne pathogens are just a few of these advantages. Medical professionals prefer nitrile gloves because of their latex-free dependability when treating allergic patients.

Market Dynamics

Global Medical Nitrile Gloves Market Drivers

Rising Incidents of Covid-19

Examples of coronaviruses that affect people include severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), middle east respiratory syndrome (MERS), and the common cold. Mild to severe respiratory illnesses, including death, are brought on by coronavirus. The best preventive measures include using a mask, avoiding close contact with others, frequently washing hands, keeping hands away from the face, and getting enough sleep and food. The Worldometer, a source of global COVID-19 statistics, reports that as of April 15, 2021, there had been 138,927,001 confirmed coronavirus cases, out of which 2,987,914 patients had died. Except for Antarctica, 191 nations and territories on all continents have now reported COVID-19 cases. Furthermore, most cases were in the US, followed by Brazil and India. As a result, the global market for medical nitrile gloves is anticipated to expand as infection rates rise.

Refined Features Compared to other Types

Midway through the 1990s, nitrile gloves made their debut on the market. Nitrile gloves are more durable and chemically resistant than latex and vinyl gloves, making them a better choice. Nitrile is 3–4 times more resistant to punctures than latex. Medical nitrile gloves are now used in settings outside of hospitals and clinics. Nitrile gloves are now used more frequently in various industries, including agriculture, the fire service, the production of chemicals, salons, hunting and fishing, the automotive industry, and the sanitation sector.

Gloves made of nitrile offer greater chemical, tear, and puncture resistance. A questionnaire-based study suggested that 88.5% of skin reactions on the hands are related to latex gloves, according to an article published by the University of Cagliari in Italy in August 2020. Since allergic reactions are less common with nitrile gloves than latex gloves, they are more widely used. The demand for these gloves is also fueled by the fact that they adapt to the shape of the hand and respond to body temperature to ensure a secure and comfortable fit.

Global Medical Nitrile Gloves Market Restraints

Increasing Fraudulent Goods and Rising Prices

Healthcare professionals use medical gloves to stop the spread of infection or disease. They consist of surgical gloves and examination gloves for patients. According to the enforcement policy for gloves in place during the COVID-19 public health emergency, the FDA is given regulatory flexibility to aid in increasing the accessibility of medical gloves. Approximately 70 billion nitrile gloves are imported into the US annually, primarily from Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. During the pandemic, brokers sold counterfeit medical gloves as the price of this essential item tripled. This squeezed the frontline and other workers.

Furthermore, the Vietnamese glove manufacturer VRG Khai Hoan JSC, which creates the Vglove brand of nitrile gloves, recently stated that customers alerted them to counterfeit versions of its nitrile gloves and fraudulent activity by individuals posing as the company's brokers. Due to the gloves' increased demand and lack of supply and the influx of new competitors, prices for the gloves skyrocketed. At Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey (US), 300,000 gloves are used each month; however, in September 2020, it became more challenging to supply this demand due to a shortage and growing costs. The global market for medical nitrile gloves may experience growth challenges due to the increased risk of contracting infectious diseases from counterfeit products.

Global Medical Nitrile Gloves Market Opportunities

Launch of New Products and Collaboration for Production Process Optimization

Consumers are becoming more conscious and knowledgeable about issues related to hygiene and health. As a result, businesses are placing a greater emphasis on research and development to develop better safety and preventative measures, giving them an advantage over rivals. They are launching new products that have improved features. In the current environment, key players significantly impact changing market trends for medical nitrile gloves. Major players are observed making strategic decisions, concentrating more on acquisition and collaboration to enhance product portfolio and bolstering science and technology capabilities globally.

In addition, major players are engaged in business expansion through the appointment of distributors, which has been used as a market penetration strategy to increase regional reach. In developing nations like India, Argentina, Brazil, China, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, the economic outlook is improving and is anticipated to support recovery. Globally, numerous government organizations, including the Ministry of Health (MoH), are allocating a sizable pool of funds and coordinating health promotion initiatives. The increase in population significantly impacts the demand for consumables used in diagnosis and treatment. Businesses in developing economies can work with governmental organizations to provide necessary goods and lab supplies.

Regional Analysis

By region, the global medical nitrile gloves market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World.

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America is the most significant shareholder in the global medical nitrile gloves market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.16% during the forecast period. North America has a 39.32% market share because of the high number of COVID-19 patients, the high incidence of surgical operations, and the friendly import policies in the region. Additionally, the lack of sufficient manufacturers in the area is anticipated to increase the market's profitability. In September 2020, four Canadian states—British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec—saw increased COVID-19 patients. The nation experienced a sharp increase in coronavirus cases, from 300 cases per day in August to a record-high 1,248 cases in September 2020.

In addition, the rise in patients undergoing clinical observation gave manufacturers and market entrants in various industries the push they needed to launch products and broaden their product profiles through agreements. An international ordering system was introduced in November 2020 by businesses like Med PPE Canada Inc., founded in March 2020. Its product line includes sanitizer, respirators, nitrile gloves, and disposable masks.

Europe is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.32% during the forecast period. Europe is anticipated to experience considerable growth over the forecast period due to the greater availability of patients and treatment centers there. The major factors propelling the growth of the medical nitrile gloves market in the region are the availability of cutting-edge treatment facilities, rising government initiatives to promote norms related to safety and finding a cure for the rising number of cases, and rising healthcare expenditure.

The Asia-Pacific region is predicted to experience the fastest growth in the medical nitrile glove market. The abundance of raw materials, the substantial export of goods from the area, the scarcity of exam gloves, and the dependence of other nations on supplies from the region are the leading causes of this high growth. In addition, the rise in infection rates, the expansion of online pharmacies, and the rise in medical professionals treating infectious diseases are a few other factors that affect the market's development.

The RoW market for medical nitrile gloves is rapidly growing because more companies and subsidiaries are selling goods in the area. Kenya, Egypt, Libya, South Africa, and Tunisia are all home to regional offices for Semperit AG Holding (Austria). There has been an increase in safety and hygiene awareness in the area. To promote handwashing, Rwanda placed portable sinks all over the city of Kigali. According to AGI's annual Foresight Africa report, Africa's economy had a promising start to 2020. However, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the economies of many nations because it disrupted trade, tourism, remittances, the financial system, and consumer and corporate sentiment. The presence of glove producers, importers, and suppliers in the area is anticipated to increase market size.

Segmental Analysis

The global medical nitrile gloves market is segmented by type, usage, application, distribution channel, and end-user.

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

The non-powdered segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.96% during the forecast period. Due to the rising demand for gentle gloves on the skin, the non-powdered glove segment is currently dominating the medical nitrile glove market. Additionally, a procedure known as chlorination is applied to non-powdered gloves. Non-powdered gloves are treated with a chlorine solution during production, then rinsed with water and dried, and the powdered residue and latex proteins are removed. In addition, gloves made without powder offer excellent resistance to infections and allergic reactions. The versatility, resistance to chemicals, oils, and water, decreased risk of contamination, skin-friendliness, high level of grip, and deftness for handling various medical procedures are among the distinct advantages of these gloves.

Cornstarch is a component of powdered medical nitrile gloves, which makes them more comfortable to wear—especially in busy settings like hospitals—and prevents the gloves from sticking. In comparison to other types, powdered nitrile gloves are less expensive. In addition, the cornstarch powder found in powdered gloves can also lead to allergies to latex, though the likelihood of an allergy is much lower when nitrile is used as the binder.

Based on the usage, the global market is bifurcated into disposable and reusable.

The disposable segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.02% during the forecast period. Typically thinner than reusable gloves, disposable gloves offer greater sensitivity and protection against mild irritants and chemicals but commonly cannot be used with strong chemicals. Permatex is another illustration of disposable nitrile gloves. These gloves are primarily made of 100% rubber, offering greater resistance to various solvents and chemicals. The best alternative to latex sensitivity gloves is nitrile ones.

Hard chemicals and hot water are very difficult to penetrate reusable medical nitrile gloves. They are made to offer the greatest strength and durability possible. Reusable gloves are less convenient than disposable gloves because they are thicker than disposable gloves and need to be cleaned after use. Disposable gloves can simply be thrown away after use. In addition, flocklined nitrile reusable gloves are typical examples of reusable medical nitrile gloves. Medical nitrile disposable gloves are single-use only. They are especially common in hospitals where medical staff must frequently change their gloves. It is simple to remove and replace these medical gloves without washing them.

Based on the application, the global market is bifurcated into examination and surgical.

The examination segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.15% during the forecast period. Examination gloves defend against chemicals, biohazards, and other similar harmful substances. Exam gloves are typically used by doctors, nurses, dentists, and other healthcare facility staff. In high-risk situations involving blood, bodily fluids, or patients with infectious diseases, nitrile medical gloves are used. Examination gloves are used for low-risk procedures like non-invasive physical examinations. During medical procedures, these gloves offer protection against cross-contamination.

High-quality nitrile surgical gloves are made specifically for the sensitivity and accuracy surgeons need. Based on a quality level of pinholes that are deemed acceptable, surgical nitrile gloves must adhere to FDA standards. Surgical gloves are more expensive than examination gloves because of the strict regulatory standards. Comparatively speaking, these gloves have a wider range of sizes than medical examination gloves. During surgical procedures, nitrile surgical gloves offer a barrier of protection against potential disease transmission between medical personnel and patients.

Based on the distribution channel, the global market is bifurcated into direct selling and medical store.

The direct selling segment owns the highest market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.97% during the forecast period. This is due to the direct sale of medical nitrile gloves, which decreased the involvement of middlemen in the distribution of products, like regional distribution centers and wholesalers. Instead, the hospitals, clinics, and ambulatory surgical centers received the products directly from the manufacturer. Medical nitrile glove direct sales are associated with network marketing firms and part-time plans. Direct selling is a popular strategy medical nitrile glove manufacturers use to find and market to end-users.

Based on the end-user, the global market is bifurcated into hospitals and clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, diagnostic centers, and rehabilitation centers.

The hospitals and clinic segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.71% during the forecast period. Due to the rising patient flow for disease diagnosis and various surgical procedures, the hospitals and clinics segment holds the largest market share. Medical nitrile glove types, including examination and surgical gloves, are used in hospitals and clinics. Protective measures are being taken by using medical nitrile gloves. These gloves are used by doctors and other medical professionals as a barrier between them and the patients.

The medical care facilities that offer treatment for a specific therapeutic area are specialty clinics. They have unmatched consultant expertise and cutting-edge technology. The expansion of diagnostic centers and the growing popularity of these facilities in some developed regions are credited with driving this segment's market growth. The market growth of this segment is being driven by an increase in the number of these facilities using medical nitrile gloves.

Recent Developments

• November 2022- Isikel to build supply chain resilience in Texas with domestic nitrile gloves.