DISPOSABLE MEDICAL GLOVES MARKET ANALYSIS

The global disposable medical gloves market was valued at US$ 6.49 Bn in 2022 and is forecast to reach a value of US$ 13.39 Bn by 2030 at a CAGR of 9.5% between 2023 and 2030. The disposable medical gloves market is experiencing strong growth due to the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and increasing number of surgical procedures across the globe. Moreover, the outbreak of COVID-19 (pandemic) and increasing demand for disposable medical gloves across the world is expected to boost the growth of the market. However, factors such as toxic reactions associated with certain gloves and environmental concerns or pollution are expected to hamper the growth of the global disposable medical gloves market.

Global Disposable Medical Gloves Market: Regional Insights

Based on region, the global disposable medical gloves market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa.

Among regions, North America is expected to gain highest share in the market during the forecast period owing to the increasing prevalence of chronic disease, rising number of surgical procedures, outbreak of COVID-19 and increasing demand for disposable medical gloves in this region. For instance, rise in burden of COVID-19 in the United States increased the use of PPE kits, disposable gloves, and disposable face masks to curb the spread of the virus. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in United States of America, from 3 January 2020 to 8:20am CEST, 19 July 2023, there have been 103,436,829 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 1,127,152 deaths.

Europe and Asia Pacific is also expected to witness robust growth in the global disposable medical gloves market due to the rise in burden of chronic disease, the outbreak of COVID-19, increasing number of surgical procedures, and increasing demand for disposable gloves in these regions. For instance, owing to such a high burden of chronic diseases, the number of surgical procedures is on the rise and this in turn is expected to increase demand for disposable medical gloves. According to WHO, Chronic diseases are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Europe, accounting for 86% of total premature deaths, and the burden is likely to grow.

Figure 1. Global Disposable Medical Gloves Market Share (%), by Region, 2023

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Global Disposable Medical Gloves Market Drivers:

High prevalence of chronic diseases to propel market growth

One of the key factors expected to augment growth of the global disposable medical gloves market during the forecast period is the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases across the world. Such a high burden of chronic diseases (such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer) leads to an increased number of surgical procedures and is expected to augment the growth of the market. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. This in turn is expected to increase demand for disposable medical gloves in the region.

Increasing number of surgical procedures to drive market growth

Another factor which is driving the growth of the global disposable medical gloves market is the increasing number of surgical procedures across the globe. For instance, with the rising number of surgical procedures, the use or demand for disposable medical gloves is also increasing with rapid pace. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), worldwide, around 310 million major surgeries are performed each year; around 40 to 50 million in the United States and over 20 million in Europe. The volume of surgical procedures is rising worldwide, positively impacting the growth of the global disposable medical gloves market.

Global Disposable Medical Gloves Market Opportunities:

The outbreak of COVID-19 (global pandemic) is expected to offer significant growth opportunities for players in the global disposable medical gloves market. For instance, huge number of COVID-19-affected people across the globe increased the usage of disposable gloves to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), globally, as of 8:20am CEST, 19 July 2023, there have been around 768,237,788 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 6,951,677 deaths. Moreover, the pandemic increased the cases of hospital-acquired infections, which in turn increased the use of disposable medical gloves.

Increasing demand for disposable medical gloves across the world is expected to offer significant growth opportunities for players in the global disposable medical gloves market. For instance, with the rise in burden of chronic disease and increasing number of surgical procedures, the demand for disposable medical gloves is also increasing rapidly. In May 2022, Globus Group announced the launch of the ultimate range of single-use gloves. With a strong heritage in producing high-quality hand protection, Globus Group has introduced these premium, 100% nitrile gloves for users across industries, synonymous with quality, innovation, and value.

Global Disposable Medical Gloves Market Trends:

High demand for biodegradable gloves is a recent trend

Each year, over 1.4 billion tonnes of disposable gloves are used worldwide in the healthcare sector, food industry and by the general consumer. The gloves are used only once and cannot be degraded, which in turn contribute to environmental pollution. Biodegradable gloves are the biodegradable alternative to a traditional disposable glove, while meeting all the required quality and certification parameters. Hence, there is an increasing demand for biodegradable gloves around the world and this trend is expected continue over the forecast period.

Introduction of novel products is another trend

Market players are focusing on developing and launching novel products in the market to meet the increasing demand for disposable medical gloves. In June 2022, Eastwest Medico ApS announced the launch of first biodegradable disposable gloves. PROSENSO Biodegradable Nitrile Gloves is a brand new and revolutionary nitrile glove product. The gloves are made from a new and unique NBR (Nitrile Butadiene Rubber) formula that allows gloves to degrade during a microbial process in aerobic and anaerobic environments at landfills.

Global Disposable Medical Gloves Market Restraints:

Toxic reactions associated with certain gloves to hinder market growth

One of the key factors expected to hamper growth of the global disposable medical gloves market is the toxic reactions associated with certain gloves. Some people are allergic to the natural rubber latex used in some medical gloves. Many adverse skin reactions, such as irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, and contact urticaria have been also reported with the usage of all types of gloves. Vinyl and nitrile gloves lead to adverse chemical reactions and these chemical reactions can also cause skin damage or precipitate allergic reactions. This can be mitigated by implementing strict, effective regulatory compliance standards for production and quality testing. 

Environmental concerns to hamper the growth of the market

Another factor which is hampering the growth of the global disposable medical gloves market is the environmental concerns. Disposable medical gloves contribute to environmental pollution. The outbreak of COVID-19 increased the usage of protective equipment, such as disposable gloves, in the private and public sectors, which in turn resulted in significant environmental pollution due to non-degradability of the gloves. Thus, the potential for chemical release from gloves and glove materials and the effects of glove degradation under environmental conditions are currently being researched. This in turn has increased the use of biodegradable gloves.

Figure 2. Global Disposable Medical Gloves Market Share (%), by Type, 2023

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Global Disposable Medical Gloves Market Segmentation:

The global disposable medical gloves market report is segmented into Type, Application, Form, and Region.

Based on Type, the disposable medical gloves market is segmented into Natural Rubber Gloves, Nitrile Gloves, Vinyl Gloves, Neoprene Gloves, Polyethylene Gloves, and Others. Out of which, Natural Rubber Gloves Segment is expected to dominate the disposable medical gloves market over the forecast period and this is attributed to the increasing demand for natural rubber gloves.

Nitrile Gloves Segment is also expected to witness significant growth in the near future and this is owing to the increasing demand for nitrile gloves across the globe.

Based on Application, the market is segmented into Examination and Surgical. Out of which, Examination Segment is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period and this is attributed to the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and the outbreak of COVID-19.

Surgical Segment is also expected to witness robust growth in the near future and this is owing to increasing number of surgical procedures across the globe.

Based on Form, the market is segmented into Powdered and Non-powdered. Out of which, Powdered Segment is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period and this is attributed to the increasing demand for powdered gloves.

Non-powdered Segment is also expected to witness significant growth in the near future and this is owing to increasing demand for non-powdered gloves.

Global Disposable Medical Gloves Market: Key Developments

In March 2022, American Nitrile, LLC announced a strategic partnership with Orion Infrastructure Capital to complete the development of its manufacturing facility in Grove City, OH. Under the arrangement, OIC provided USD105 million to support the completion of twelve production lines with an aggregate capacity of 3.6 billion nitrile gloves per year.

In February 2022, Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. announced the launch of Kimtech Opal Nitrile Gloves, which protects against contamination by chemical splash and micro-organisms hazards. The gloves are efficient in that they are free of natural rubber latex and vulcanizing agents, thereby reducing the risk of Type I and Type IV glove-associated skin reactions.

Global Disposable Medical Gloves Market: Key Companies Insights

The global disposable medical gloves market is highly competitive. This is attributed to the rising demand for disposable medical gloves across the globe, as a result, market players are focusing on developing and launching novel products in the market.

Some of the key players in the global disposable medical gloves market are Cardinal Health, Inc., Adventa Berhad, Ansell Ltd., Dynarex Corporation, Hartalega Holdings Berhad, Supermax Corporation Berhad, Semperit AG Holding, Top Glove Corporation BHD, Rubberex Corporation (M) Berhad, and Kossan Rubber Industries BHD, among others.

*Definition: Disposable medical gloves are single-use medical gloves used to protect the hands from possible infections and diseases. These gloves are majorly used in the healthcare industry to protect the user/wearer or people from possible infections and diseases.