Latex Medical Gloves Market Size 2024-2028
The latex medical gloves market size is forecast to increase by USD 3.51 billion, at a CAGR of 7.08% between 2023 and 2028.
- The market is driven by growing concerns over hygiene and safety from Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), leading to a surging demand for latex medical gloves. This trend is further fueled by the increasing preference for non-powdered latex gloves due to their superior comfort and reduced risk of allergic reactions. However, the market faces challenges as well. Adverse impacts on the environment and human health from the production and disposal of latex gloves pose significant concerns. Additionally, the rising popularity of alternative materials, such as nitrile and vinyl, may impact the market's growth trajectory.
- Companies operating in this market must navigate these challenges while capitalizing on the growing demand for latex medical gloves to maintain a competitive edge. Strategic investments in sustainable production methods and research and development for latex alternatives could offer opportunities for market differentiation and growth.
What will be the Size of the Latex Medical Gloves Market during the forecast period?
Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2018-2022 and forecasts 2024-2028 - in the full report.
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The medical gloves market encompasses a diverse range of applications, extending from dental clinics to healthcare facilities, food processing, and various industries. The continuous evolution of market dynamics is driven by the ongoing demand for superior microorganism barrier and barrier protection, hand hygiene, and bacterial protection. Manufacturers prioritize antimicrobial properties, quality control, and adherence to standards such as USP Class VI and ASTM D6978. In healthcare facilities, the emphasis on infection control fuels the growth of the market for medical gloves, including surgical and examination gloves. The debate surrounding latex sensitivity persists, leading to increased production of alternatives, such as reusable gloves and industrial gloves.
The importance of supply chain management, shelf life, and raw material sourcing further shapes market trends. The demand for enhanced puncture resistance and chemical resistance pushes manufacturers to innovate, leading to advancements in manufacturing plants and the integration of viral protection. As the market continues to unfold, the focus on U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, CE marking, and tensile strength remains crucial. The integration of these elements ensures the ongoing provision of essential protection for various sectors.
How is this Latex Medical Gloves Industry segmented?
The latex medical gloves industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in "USD million" for the period 2024-2028, as well as historical data from 2018-2022 for the following segments.
- Product
- Disposable
- Reusable
- Geography
- North America
- US
- Canada
- Europe
- Germany
- UK
- APAC
- China
- Rest of World (ROW)
- North America
By Product Insights
The disposable segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.
Disposable medical gloves, primarily made from natural latex, are a crucial component in various industries, including healthcare facilities and food processing. Manufactured using high-quality natural rubber latex (NRL), these gloves offer superior microorganism barrier and bacterial protection, ensuring hand hygiene and infection control. The use of NRL gloves dates back to 1890, with their popularity surging in the late 1980s due to their essential role in preventing the transmission of blood-borne diseases, such as HIV. These gloves provide excellent comfort and dexterity, boasting impressive tensile and tear strength, a low modulus, and minimizing hand fatigue. In surgical settings, natural latex gloves are the preferred choice for handling biological and water-based materials.
The market for these gloves is expected to grow steadily during the forecast period, driven by their high demand and the preference of medical professionals for their superior barrier protection and antimicrobial properties. Raw material sourcing and quality control are essential factors in the manufacturing process, with stringent regulations, such as USP Class VI and ASTM D6978, ensuring the production of safe and effective gloves. Additionally, supply chain management, puncture and chemical resistance, and ce marking are crucial considerations for manufacturers. Despite latex sensitivity concerns, the market for healthcare and industrial gloves continues to evolve, with an emphasis on innovation and continuous improvement.
The Disposable segment was valued at USD 5.54 billion in 2018 and showed a gradual increase during the forecast period.
Regional Analysis
North America is estimated to contribute 35% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period.Technavio’s analysts have elaborately explained the regional trends and drivers that shape the market during the forecast period.
The market is driven by the increasing demand for effective barrier protection in various industries, including healthcare facilities and food processing. In 2023, North America held the largest market share, with the US and Canada being significant contributors. Advanced healthcare infrastructure, a focus on hand hygiene and infection control, and a growing number of surgeries fuel the market's growth in this region. Key players include Thermo Fischer Scientific Inc. And other manufacturers ensuring USP Class VI and ASTM D6978 standards for microorganism barrier and tensile strength. Reusable gloves offer cost savings but require rigorous quality control, while disposable gloves prioritize shelf life and puncture resistance.
Antimicrobial properties and viral protection are essential for healthcare and surgical gloves, ensuring ce marking and infection control. The market's evolution involves supply chain management, raw material sourcing, and adherence to regulations like CE marking and USP Class VI. Latex sensitivity remains a consideration for manufacturers, necessitating manufacturing plants to prioritize safety and production efficiency.
Market Dynamics
Our researchers analyzed the data with 2023 as the base year, along with the key drivers, trends, and challenges. A holistic analysis of drivers will help companies refine their marketing strategies to gain a competitive advantage.
What are the key market drivers leading to the rise in the adoption of Latex Medical Gloves Industry?
- Concerns over hygiene and safety related to Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) serve as the primary market driver.
- Infection control is a critical priority in healthcare to prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), which pose significant risks to patients and healthcare professionals. HAIs can occur in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, long-term care, home care, and ambulatory care, due to factors such as the increasing number of morbidities and mortality rates, transmission of drug-resistant bacteria, prolonged hospital stays, disease outbreaks, and poor infection-control practices. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 31 patients in the US are susceptible to HAIs every day. To mitigate these risks, the implementation and adoption of infection-control programs and practices are essential in healthcare settings.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including gloves, gowns, face masks, protective eyewear, and face shields, plays a crucial role in preventing infection transmission among healthcare professionals. Examination gloves, specifically, provide viral protection and are widely used in various medical procedures due to their flexibility, dexterity, and comfort. However, latex sensitivity is a concern for some healthcare professionals and patients, leading to the availability of alternatives such as nitrile and vinyl gloves. Latex manufacturing plants ensure the production of high-quality gloves that meet stringent regulatory requirements for infection control and patient safety.
What are the market trends shaping the Latex Medical Gloves Industry?
- The preference for non-powdered latex gloves is gaining momentum in the market. This trend reflects a growing awareness of the potential health risks associated with powdered gloves and a commitment to maintaining a cleaner, safer work environment.
- The preference for powder-free latex gloves is growing among healthcare end-users, including dental clinics, due to the associated risks of using powdered gloves. Powder residue can cause granulomas, pleuritis, myocarditis, CNS irritation, carcinoma, or tuberculosis misdiagnosis. After using powdered gloves, healthcare workers are required to wash their hands instead of using an alcohol-based hand rub, which takes longer and may hinder hand hygiene compliance.
- In response, gloves manufacturing companies are focusing on producing powder-free latex gloves, eliminating the powder residue from traditional powdered gloves. This shift prioritizes both microorganism and bacterial protection, ensuring effective hand hygiene and enhancing barrier protection for healthcare professionals.
What challenges does the Latex Medical Gloves Industry face during its growth?
- The latex medical gloves industry faces significant challenges due to the adverse impacts associated with their use. These impacts, which can include allergic reactions, increased permeability, and environmental concerns, pose a threat to both patient safety and industry growth. It is essential for manufacturers and healthcare providers to continually evaluate and address these issues in order to mitigate risks and ensure the continued effectiveness and safety of latex medical gloves.
- Medical disposable gloves, primarily made of latex, are widely used in various industries, including healthcare facilities and food processing. While these gloves offer benefits such as excellent tactility, elasticity, and protection against biological hazards, they come with certain limitations. Some of these limitations include permeation of organic solvents, chemical spillage onto the skin, irritation, maceration, allergies, and lack of comfort. Thinner gloves are prone to pinholes and tearing, while contact with oils, greases, and hydrocarbons can cause dissolution. Allergic reactions to latex, including rashes and anaphylaxis, pose a significant risk for both caregivers and patients. These reactions can occur through skin contact or inhalation of cornstarch powder bound to latex proteins.
- To mitigate these risks, stringent quality control measures are essential, including adherence to standards such as USP Class VI and ASTM D6978. Tensile strength testing is also crucial to ensure gloves can withstand the rigors of their intended use.
Exclusive Customer Landscape
The latex medical gloves market forecasting report includes the adoption lifecycle of the market, covering from the innovator’s stage to the laggard’s stage. It focuses on adoption rates in different regions based on penetration. Furthermore, the latex medical gloves market report also includes key purchase criteria and drivers of price sensitivity to help companies evaluate and develop their market growth analysis strategies.
Customer Landscape
Key Companies & Market Insights
Companies are implementing various strategies, such as strategic alliances, latex medical gloves market forecast, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches, to enhance their presence in the industry.
Ansell Ltd. - This company specializes in manufacturing and supplying a diverse range of medical gloves, including TouchNTuff 69 210, TouchNTuff 69 318, MICROFLEX SafeGrip SG 375, MICROFLEX Diamond Grip MF 300, MICROFLEX Diamond Grip Plus DGP 350, MICROFLEX MicroOne MO 150, MICROFLEX L22, and MICROFLEX Black Dragon BD 100L. These gloves cater to various industries and applications, showcasing the company's commitment to providing high-quality, innovative solutions for medical professionals.
The industry research and growth report includes detailed analyses of the competitive landscape of the market and information about key companies, including:
- Ansell Ltd.
- B.Braun SE
- Cardinal Health Inc.
- Clean Grip ( Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd
- Dynarex Corp.
- Hartalega Holdings Berhad
- Hextar Healthcare Berhad
- Kanam Latex Industries Pvt. Ltd
- Kimberly Clark Corp.
- Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd
- Mercator Medical SA
- Owens and Minor Inc.
- Raclac SA
- Semperit AG Holding
- SHIELD Scientific BV
- Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
- Top Glove Corp. Bhd
- Troge Medical GmbH
- UG Healthcare Corp. Ltd.
- Valutek Inc.
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of companies has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key industry players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize companies as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize companies as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak.
Recent Development and News in Latex Medical Gloves Market
- In January 2024, Ansell Limited, a leading global provider of protective solutions, announced the launch of its new powder-free, nitrile-coated latex medical gloves, named 'Protect Plus'. These gloves offer enhanced durability and improved grip, catering to the growing demand for alternative materials to latex (Ansell Press Release).
- In March 2024, Avintia Medical, a Spanish medical device manufacturer, entered into a strategic partnership with Medline Industries, a leading global manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies. This collaboration aimed to expand Avintia Medical's reach in the US market, providing Medline with a broader product portfolio and enhancing Avintia's global presence (Medline Industries Press Release).
- In May 2024, Hartalega Holdings Berhad, a leading global rubber glove manufacturer, secured a significant investment of MYR 2.3 billion (approximately USD 532 million) from the Khazanah Nasional Berhad, a strategic investment fund owned by the Malaysian Government. This investment was aimed at expanding Hartalega's production capacity and strengthening its market position (Hartalega Holdings Press Release).
- In April 2025, Trelleborg AB, a Swedish engineering company, received the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its new, thinner latex medical gloves, named 'Super Soft'. These gloves cater to the increasing demand for comfortable, thin medical gloves while maintaining the necessary level of protection (Trelleborg AB Press Release).
Research Analyst Overview
- The market exhibits dynamic trends, with a focus on supply chain optimization and inventory management to meet the fluctuating demand. Polymer synthesis advances drive product innovation, leading to coating processes and product differentiation. Customer satisfaction is paramount, with brand awareness and loyalty hinged on sterilization methods and quality assurance. Sustainability initiatives and industry standards shape the market, influencing pricing strategies and sales projections.
- Risk assessment and waste management are crucial aspects of global supply chains, ensuring timely delivery and reducing environmental impact. Product development and demand forecasting are integral to staying competitive, with a focus on meeting diverse customer demographics and addressing product recalls. Brand awareness and customer relations foster long-term loyalty, making them essential components of market success.
Dive into Technavio’s robust research methodology, blending expert interviews, extensive data synthesis, and validated models for unparalleled Latex Medical Gloves Market insights. See full methodology.
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Market Scope |
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Report Coverage |
Details |
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Page number |
133 |
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Base year |
2023 |
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Historic period |
2018-2022 |
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Forecast period |
2024-2028 |
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Growth momentum & CAGR |
Accelerate at a CAGR of 7.08% |
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Market growth 2024-2028 |
USD 3506.8 million |
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Market structure |
Fragmented |
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YoY growth 2023-2024(%) |
6.49 |
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Key countries |
US, UK, China, Canada, and Germany |
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Competitive landscape |
Leading Companies, Market Positioning of Companies, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks |
What are the Key Data Covered in this Latex Medical Gloves Market Research and Growth Report?
- CAGR of the Latex Medical Gloves industry during the forecast period
- Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth and forecasting between 2024 and 2028
- Precise estimation of the size of the market and its contribution of the industry in focus to the parent market
- Accurate predictions about upcoming growth and trends and changes in consumer behaviour
- Growth of the market across North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)
- Thorough analysis of the market’s competitive landscape and detailed information about companies
- Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the latex medical gloves market growth of industry companies
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