Hand Protection Equipment Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Disposable, Durable), By Raw Material (Nitrile Gloves, Vinyl Gloves), By End Use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2019 - 2028

Report Overview

The global hand protection equipment market size was valued at USD 24.8 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7% from 2019 to 2028. The demand for hand protection equipment is projected to witness lucrative growth owing to increasing worker safety concerns in the healthcare, chemical, oil and gas, manufacturing, and construction sectors.

In 2020, the cases of the COVID-19 disease multiplied exponentially. Furthermore, the onset of the second wave in various countries has resulted in the shortage of hand protection equipment in a large number of hospitals. But from the end of 2020, various manufacturers have expanded their production facilities resulting in the elimination of the demand-supply gap since the beginning of 2021.

Economies experiencing the high impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the U.S., have enacted special laws such as the Defense Production Act (DPA), tasking local companies with manufacturing hand protection equipment, for healthcare professionals. Rising awareness regarding hand hygiene and its benefits related to limiting the spread of COVID-19 is anticipated to have a positive impact on U.S. market growth.

Stringent government regulations about the safety of doctors, patients, and other working staff in hospitals, coupled with huge penalties for non-compliance with the standards, have prompted employers to use hand protection equipment to protect their employees against various health hazards, and infections across the globe.

Government authorities such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued guidelines pertaining to the use of sterile barrier precautions such as the use of hand protection equipment. These gloves provide high chemical and tear resistance, tactility, and flexibility, thereby aiding their adoption in environments with possible contact with chemicals, microorganisms, and bodily fluids.

The market is characterized by the presence of several well-established global as well as regional players that have a broad product portfolio, extensive distribution networks, and large financial capacities, which is expected to demotivate new entrants. Moreover, integration by hand protection equipment manufacturers across the value chain is likely to limit growth opportunities and avenues for new entrants.

Product Insights

The durable gloves segment led the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of 56.5% in 2020. Durable gloves are used in the manufacturing industry to avoid injuries that may arise due to cuts, abrasions, burns, and chemicals. Durable gloves protect hands from splinters, sharp edges, knives, blood and bodily fluids, hot objects, electricity, excessive vibrations, and extreme cold.

The growth in the manufacturing, pharmaceutical, chemical, and construction industry is expected to augment the product demand over the forecast period. Rising concern towards employee safety and initiatives for decreasing injury rates in commercial and industrial sectors is expected to drive the demand for durable gloves over the forecast period.

Disposable gloves are estimated to witness a CAGR of 6.9% from 2019 to 2028, in terms of revenue. Disposable gloves are majorly used in the food and healthcare industries to provide protection and prevent cross-infection between patients and caregivers. These gloves are used across various end-use industries including clean room, food service, and general industrial.

Disposable gloves are used for handling volatile chemicals in the laboratory, pharmaceuticals, and clean room applications. The rising occurrence of pandemic diseases including swine flu (H1N1) coupled with increasing demand for infection control is anticipated to drive the disposable gloves market over the forecast period. The lower cost related to disposable gloves over durable gloves are anticipated to offer them a competitive advantage in short-duration industrial projects.

End-use Insights

Healthcare led the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of 38.0% in 2020. Hand protection equipment for healthcare workers is important to fight against the novel coronavirus. World Health Organization (WHO) has urged governments and businesses to act swiftly to boost the production of hand protection equipment across the globe.

Employees working in the pharmaceutical industry face various on-the-job hazards as they come in contact with biological agents, chemical substances, and drugs. Hand protection equipment required by workers includes protection against liquid pressurized chemicals, hazardous and non-hazardous particles, and liquid aerosol.

The demand for hand protection equipment in construction is expected to witness a CAGR of 6.4% from 2019 to 2028, in terms of revenue. The overhead costs associated with workshop mortalities or injuries are anticipated to augment the demand for hand protection equipment in the construction sector over the forecast period.

The food industry is mainly dependent on hygiene and quality control on account of which the demand for hand protection equipment in the industry is expected to grow over the forecast period. The use of hand protection equipment offers safety benefits to several players such as employees, customers, and food products by securing them from the hazards involved.

Raw Material Insights

The natural rubber segment dominated the market and accounted for 37.0% of the global revenue in 2020. Hand protection equipment, made from natural rubber is tactile, resulting in their increased preference in sensitive applications, such as medical procedures and surgeries. In addition, they are flexible and comfortable to wear and ideal for handling water-based or biological materials.

Vinyl gloves are highly cost-effective as compared to latex and nitrile gloves. Owing to their low price, vinyl gloves have gained significance in the medical and healthcare sectors, especially for examination applications. Though vinyl gloves are ideal for short-term use, they do not provide the reliability needed for longer-term applications. Vinyl gloves offer limited chemical and puncture resistance owing to which they are not ideal for work with high-risk materials.

The demand for neoprene gloves is expected to witness a CAGR of 7.4% from 2019 to 2028. Neoprene gloves are incredibly resistant to stretching, allowing for a snug fit as compared to latex and nitrile gloves. Neoprene gloves offer superior grip and keep hands dry. As a result, neoprene gloves are particularly useful for dentists, physicians, and surgeons, and those working with wet instruments.

Nitrile gloves offer high puncture resistance, excellent barrier protection, and durability owing to which they are preferred in environments where exposure to blood-borne pathogens and other contaminants is a primary concern. Moreover, they ensure good comfort and fit owing to their high elasticity and memory.

Regional Insights

Europe led the market and accounted for over 31.0% of the global revenue in 2020. A rising number of occupational injuries combined with increasing requirement for highly effective hand protection equipment in the majority of core industries such as food and beverage, metal manufacturing, oil and gas, automotive, and chemical is expected to augment hand protection equipment penetration in the region over the forecast period.

The rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in North America is anticipated to drive the demand for hand protection equipment over the forecast period. In addition, post the COVID-19 pandemic, government authorities are expected to heavily invest in healthcare infrastructure, which is expected to have a positive impact on market growth over the coming years.

The demand for hand protection equipment is estimated to witness a CAGR of 7.7% in the Asia Pacific over the forecast period. Improving safety standards and hygiene across various healthcare settings in developing countries is further expected to have a positive impact on the hand protection equipment market in the Asia Pacific.

Increasing medical innovation in Japan is expected to drive the growth of the hospital and pharmaceutical industries over the next few years. Stringent regulations on medical drug development and workplace environment in healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors are expected to drive hand protection equipment demand over the forecast period.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Manufacturers of hand protection equipment are adopting strategies such as product developments and expansion of product portfolios and distribution networks. For instance, in August 2020, Ansell Healthcare Products LLC signed a distribution partnership with OneMed, a provider of support systems and medical supplies, which has an existing distribution network in the Nordics.

To cater to the increasing demand for hand protection equipment in the medical and healthcare sectors, companies have started expanding their businesses through mergers, acquisitions, development of new production plants, and geographic expansion strategies. In April 2018, Top Glove Corporation Bhd acquired AspionSdnBhd to increase the production capacity of gloves. Some of the prominent players in the global hand protection equipment market include:

• Top Glove Corporation Bhd

• Hartalega Holdings Berhad

• Superior Gloves

• Adenna LLC

• MCR Safety

• Atlantic Safety Products, Inc.

• Ammex Corporation

• Kimberly-Clark Corporation

• Sempermed USA, Inc.

• Halyard Health, Inc.

• Medline Industries, Inc.

• Cardinal Health

• Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd

• Globus (Shetland) Ltd.

Hand Protection Equipment Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels, and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2028. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global hand protection equipment market report on the basis of product, raw material, end use, and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Disposable

  • Durable

• Raw Material Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Natural rubber/latex

  • Nitrile gloves

  • Neoprene

  • Vinyl gloves

  • Others

• End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Construction

  • Manufacturing

  • Oil & Gas

  • Chemicals

  • Food

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • Healthcare

  • Transportation

  • Mining

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • France

    • Germany

    • Italy

    • Russia

    • Spain

    • U.K.

  • Asia Pacific

    • Australia

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • South Korea

  • Central & South America

    • Argentina

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • South Africa

    • UAE