Rubber Gloves Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Material (Latex, Nitrile), By Type (Powdered, Powder-free), By Distribution Channel (Online, Physical), By Product, By End-use, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030

Report Overview

The global rubber gloves market size was estimated at USD 20.6 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9% from 2022 to 2030. Stringent laws and significant costs associated with workplace danger and growing awareness among industry participants about worker safety & security at work are expected to fuel industry expansion over the forecast period. Governments around the world are investing heavily in a sufficient supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which includes products, such as gowns, gloves, face shields, and masks, during the pandemic in 2020. Major market players are also working together with hospitals, medical institutions, and NGOs to offer PPE directly to get a competitive advantage.

One of the most prominent countries in North America is the U.S., the country places a strong emphasis on worker safety in industries including automotive, oil & gas, and chemicals. The absence of gloves was contributing factor in nearly 23% of workplace injuries in 2018 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Companies are becoming more aware of the worker’s safety due to stringent regulations for safety, which, in turn, is expected to drive the industry growth in the country. The growing public awareness about the importance of good hygiene to prevent the transmission of viruses, germs, and other pathogens brought on by improper handling of food products in bakeries, food & beverage establishments, and restaurants will support the growth.

As a result, businesses are putting more emphasis on encouraging employees to wear appropriate protective gear. The aforementioned factors are anticipated to fuel the expansion of the rubber gloves industry over the forecast period. Rubber gloves are also finding uses in many heavy-duty industries, such as construction, chemicals, automotive, oil & gas, and waste management. These gloves also provide better grip and ease of use than bare hands, which is another benefit. The increasing incidence of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), commonly referred to as hospital infections, is also boosting the usage of rubber gloves. According to the WHO report, millions of HAI cases emerge each year. As a result, governments are focusing on increasing the availability of gloves in hospitals for everyone to reduce the infection rate.

Material Insights

The natural rubber/latex material type segment led the industry in 2021 and accounted for more than 40.00% share of the global revenue in 2021 owing to its use in numerous sectors, such as medical & healthcare, food & processing, oil & gas, and chemicals, for a hand injury and infection prevention. The FDA has authorized latex gloves for chemical handling and medical operations, so demand for natural rubber/latex gloves is expected to increase over the forecast period. The nitrile material segment is estimated to witness the fastest CAGR from 2022 to 2030. Nitrile gloves have a wide range of qualities, including excellent barrier protection, heat resistance, and chemical resistance.

Furthermore, as compared to vinyl and latex gloves, these gloves give higher protection against chemical burns, hence their market development is predicted to be rapid. Neoprene is created by the polymerization of chloroprene. When compared to latex and nitrile gloves, neoprene-based gloves have a higher resistance to stretching, resulting in a snug fit and a superior grip. These aforementioned factors are expected to fuel the demand for these products among food preparation personnel, laboratory workers, and medical professionals. Rubber gloves can also be made from isoprene rubber, chloroprene, silicone rubber, and butyl rubber. High heat and chemical resistance and good release capabilities are expected to drive the demand for other rubber gloves over the projected period. Furthermore, increased government spending on healthcare in various emerging nations is likely to support the industry growth over the years to come.

Product Insights

The disposable gloves product segment is expected to grow at the fastest growth rate of more than 4.00% over the forecasted period. Workers in the medical and food processing industries are predicted to have a strong demand for disposable gloves, as they have to use multiple pairs of gloves for different procedures, and disposable gloves are designed for single use and are cost-effective. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased the need for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) products including disposable gloves. To prevent cross-contamination during procedures, healthcare professionals are increasingly using single-use disposable gloves.

Durable gloves are intended for usage in harsh environments, such as oil & gas, construction, chemicals, and automobiles. They can be reused numerous times and have high durability, strength, reduced waste output, and other environmental benefits. Furthermore, these gloves are thicker than disposable ones, provide superior tear resistance, and assure better hand protection. The durable gloves segment is predicted to witness a slower CAGR from 2022 to 2030 due to the closure of several production facilities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Governments in many nations, however, are taking the essential steps to resume manufacturing activities and revitalize economic operations.

Type Insights

The powder-free type segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 4.4% over the forecasted period. These gloves are chlorinated, which makes them less form-fitting to prevent the need for powder for ease of wear and removal. Because of their popularity in industries like medical, food processing, and chemical, demand for these gloves is anticipated to rise throughout the forecast period. Powder-free gloves are predicted to have a high demand in coming years as they are typically double chlorinated and simple to put on. However, their prices are often high due to the extra chlorination procedure, which is why manufacturers are focusing on the development of more effective and less expensive technologies to reduce the prices.

The demand for powdered type is also predicted to increase as the powder aids in easy donning and removal, improved grip, and reduced perspiration and moisture within the gloves. Cornstarch and calcium carbonate are the two most common powders utilized. However, health authorities have established different restrictions on the use of powders in gloves to prevent any form of skin infection and are also prohibited by a few authorities, such as the United States Food & Drug Administration. However, because of their low cost and easy availability, they continue to be in demand for applications, such as laboratory studies in schools and colleges, as well as daily use among the general public.

Distribution Channel Insights

The physical distribution channel segment dominated the global industry in 2021 and accounted for the maximum share of more than 65.85% of the overall revenue. It is estimated to expand further at a steady CAGR over the forecasted period as these channels provide convenient supply chain management where gloves are made and delivered to end customers via wholesalers and retailers. The quick advancements & innovations in the e-commerce sector will also support segment growth. However, there are circumstances when delivery times may be prolonged due to insufficient availability or a remote delivery address.

In distant locations where online channels do not operate or where shipping costs are prohibitive, the physical distribution route is particularly prevalent. The adoption rate of online channels has, however, greatly grown as a result of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, where governments in many different nations instituted stringent lockdowns and customers refrained from going outdoors. During the pandemic, businesses that operate in the online channel heavily invested in expanding their supply chains keeping shipping costs low, and obtaining economies of scale. To outbid one another, they are also making a massive of bids depending on cart values.

End-use Insights

The medical and healthcare segment accounted for the maximum revenue share of more than 87.80% in 2021 owing to their widespread use among doctors and patients for preventing cross-contamination and pathogen transmission during medical tests and procedures. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic boosted the demand for examination gloves among healthcare personnel for testing and examination. Rubber glove consumption in the automotive sector is expected to expand at a significant CAGR from 2022 to 2030. Workers in the automotive sector face a variety of occupational risks, ranging from sharp edges & equipment to hazardous chemicals & substances. These gloves are chemically resistant to grease, oil, and gasoline, preventing mishaps.

Rubber gloves are commonly used in the oil & gas industry since people are exposed to heavy-duty equipment, such as pipelines, chains, and tools, as well as the risk of puncture, chemical irritation, crush, and cut. Rubber gloves provide exceptional grip in these situations, allowing users to safely operate a variety of equipment and machines. The rubber gloves segment is predicted to grow at a considerable CAGR in the food & beverage sector, as these gloves provide an added degree of sanitation throughout numerous activities, such as preparing, handling, and washing meat, fish, poultry, desserts, vegetables, and drinks. Furthermore, it protects against food-borne diseases.

Regional Insights

The Europe region accounted for the maximum share of more than 35.00% in 2021. Rubber gloves are in high demand in the region because of the rising need for protective gloves in food & beverage, metal production, oil & gas, automotive, and chemical sectors. Furthermore, due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 in countries, such as Germany and Italy, there is a significant need for gloves in the medical profession. The rise in medical and healthcare spending in North America can be ascribed to greater public awareness about the importance of prevention of infection and communicable diseases.

Furthermore, increased hygiene spending by individuals in the food & beverage industry is likely to boost industry growth over the forecasted period. Product demand in the Asia Pacific is predicted to rise substantially. This can be linked to government expenditures in emerging countries, such as India, South Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines, to support the medical business and encourage medical tourism to gain foreign currency. Governments in major economies like China, the U.K., the U.S., Germany, Brazil, Italy, and India are investing heavily in the creation of medical supply chains, such as gloves, masks, and sanitizers. The aforementioned reasons are projected to drive industry growth.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

A large number of multinational and local companies make the worldwide industry highly competitive. One of the main strategies used by key players to broaden their geographic and product offerings to a larger client base and strengthen their competitive positions in the industry is supply chain development. Major participants are forming strategic alliances with other participants in the value chain in the COVID era to increase their geographic reach at lower prices and in greater volumes to realize economies of scale. Expansion of the distribution network is another significant strategy used by companies. Some of the prominent players in the global rubber gloves market include:

• Ansell Ltd.

• Top Glove Corporation Bhd

• Hartalega Holdings Berhad

• Unigloves (U.K.) Ltd.

• The Glove Company

• MAPA Professional

• Adenna LLC

• MCR Safety

• Atlantic Safety Products, Inc.

• Globus (Shetland) Ltd.

• Supermax Corporation Berhad

• Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd

• Ammex Corporation

• Kimberly-Clark Corp.

• Sempermed USA, Inc

Rubber Gloves Market Report Scope

Global Rubber Gloves Market Segmentation

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 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global rubber gloves market report based on material, type, product, distribution channel, end-use, and region:

• Material Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Natural Rubber/Latex

  • Nitrile

  • Neoprene

  • Others

• Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Powdered

  • Powder-free

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Disposable

  • Durable

• Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Online

  • Physical

• End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Medical & Healthcare

  • Automotive

  • Oil & Gas

  • Food & Beverage

  • Metal & Machinery

  • Chemical & Petrochemical

  • Pharmaceutical

  • Cleanroom

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • Italy

    • U.K.

    • Russia

    • France

    • Spain

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Thailand

    • Malaysia

    • Indonesia

    • South Korea

    • Australia

    • Japan

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • UAE

    • Saudi Arabia

    • South Africa