Medical Gloves Market Size By Product (Latex Gloves, Nitrile Gloves, Vinyl Gloves, Neoprene Gloves), By Form (Powder-free Gloves, Powdered Gloves), By Application (Examination Gloves, Surgical Gloves), By Usage (Disposable Gloves, Reusable Gloves), By Sterility (Sterile Gloves, Non-sterile Gloves), By Distribution Channel (Brick and Mortar, E-commerce), By End-use (Hospitals, Clinics, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Diagnostic Centers), COVID19 Impact Analysis, Regional Outlook, Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2021 – 2027

Industry Trends

Medical Gloves Market size was valued at USD 14 billion in 2020 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over -0.8% from 2021 to 2027. Ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has surged the significance and awareness regarding hygiene and hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), promoting the demand and use of protective equipment. Rising prevalence of chronic and acute diseases, communicable infections, growing concerns regarding safety as well as sanitization will facilitate the demand for medical gloves. Rising number of healthcare facilities in emerging economies and growing frequency of surgeries are some of the prime factors stimulating the market growth.  
 

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Medical gloves are a type of personal protective equipment used to shield the user and the patient from the risk of cross-contamination and infection during medical surgeries, examinations and other procedures. They are an integral part of the infection-control protocol. These gloves are composed of several types of polymers such as nitrile rubber, latex, polyvinyl chloride and neoprene among others. Medical gloves help in reducing the risk of germ dissemination in the healthcare surroundings.
 

However, adverse health effects related to the use of gloves and highly competitive pricing by local manufacturers may negatively impact the medical gloves market expansion. There are several reports of allergic reactions, irritation, and contact with the use of powdered latex gloves in healthcare workers. This is due to high concentration of proteins in latex. These proteins facilitate Type I (anaphylactic) allergic reactions among the healthcare workers using these gloves. Allergic reactions also occur with inhalation of corn starch powder present in powdered latex gloves. Inhaling corn starch powder bound can result in acute asthma attacks along with anaphylactic shock in healthcare workers and cause life threatening complications.
 

Moreover, the U.S. FDA’s decision to ban powdered gloves owing to substantial risk of illness or infection to users may hamper the demand. Medical gloves are closely monitored by the U.S. FDA and are classified under Class I reserved medical devices. Thus, a 510(k) premarket notification is mandatory for these gloves before commercialization. The FDA regulates these devices to maintain the standard performance parameters including tear resistance, leak resistance and biocompatibility. The FDA also mandates gloves manufacturers to provide appropriate labelling for the gloves in order to reduce the risk of potential allergic reactions. As a result, stringent compliances and time-consuming regulatory documentation may restrict the industry growth.
 

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented health concern across the globe and has positively impacted the medical gloves market. Though, the outbreak of coronavirus has disrupted the raw materials sourcing, distribution & supply chain and implemented travel restrictions restraining the movement of goods. However, the demand for protective personal equipment and medical supplies has been increasing in order to stop the transmission of virus. The pandemic is responsible in shifting the perspective of risk for infection with minimal contact, and hence, the use of protective medical supplies has skyrocketed in the general population as well.
 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has recently published regulatory compliances. These compliances advice using gloves in healthcare environment as well as in the community. According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) study, the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has significantly surged the demand for medical supplies, especially for PPEs, face masks, and medical gloves. Doubled rate of infection in some countries, increased hospitalizations and several measures in place to reduce the spread of coronavirus has resulted in a sharp increase in usage of medical gloves. As a result, the pandemic will have a significant impact on the industry expansion.

Rising awareness regarding hygiene and safety in healthcare settings will enhance the medical gloves market value

Growing consciousness among healthcare workers and medical professionals regarding the significance of hygiene and safety in healthcare facilities will augment the market progression. Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare authorities emphasized on revising standard operating protocols in hospitals and induced heavy usage of protective equipment including medical gloves. Increasing cases of hospital-acquired infections especially in emerging economies is a rising concern. Nosocomial infections occur within 48 hours after admitting a patient, around 3 days of discharge or even 30 days after a surgical procedure.
 

These infections affect approximately 7 and 10 out of 100 patients admitted to the hospital in developed and developing countries, respectively. Nosocomial infections potentially increase chances of mortality, morbidity along with increased economic burden. The rising incidence of nosocomial infections would increase the demand for medical gloves. Initiatives taken by several organizations in raising the awareness regarding safety and hygiene will prove facilitative for the industry size.
 

Several benefits associated with use of nitrile gloves will accelerate the industry progression

The nitrile gloves segment captured for 45% of the medical gloves market share in 2020 on account of the numerous benefits such as enhanced tactility, economically viable, high comfort and better chemical resistance. Nitrile gloves provide the highest comfort to the skin and thin film enables rapid heat dissipation minimizing concerns such as sweating and skin irritation even when used for longer periods. Compactness of the nitrile gloves provide significant benefits during transportation and storage. Nitrile gloves require less storage space, thereby reducing packaging and transportation costs. The ongoing developments in manufacturing technology has further led to advent of highly resistant gloves that offer 3 times more puncture resistance compared to latex gloves.
 

Reduction in allergic reactions owing to use of powder-free gloves will influence the medical gloves market revenue

The powder-free gloves segment accounted for more than USD 12.8 billion in 2020 driven by the skin-friendly nature and higher versatility. Powder-free gloves are manufactured using chlorination process and polymer coatings that represent highly practised methods for production of gloves without the powdery residue. Unlike powdered gloves, the powder-free gloves do not leave a residue on skin, thereby reducing the potential of developing allergic reactions. The emergence of chlorination in powder-free gloves facilitates donning and prevent allergic adverse effects. Thus, the higher strength and reduction in incidence of allergic reactions provided by powder-free gloves will stimulate the industry value in the coming years.
 

Rising prevalence of infectious diseases will promote the examination gloves the segment value

The examination gloves segment dominated more than 71% of the revenue share in 2020 impelled by the high usage and wide range of utility offered by these gloves. Examination gloves are utilized in healthcare settings and other care provider facilities for non-invasive physical examination of the patient. This aids in prevention of cross-contamination among healthcare professionals and patients. Rising pool of patients suffering from infectious and contagious diseases would further boost the demand for examination gloves.
 

Effectiveness pertaining to utilization of reusable gloves will facilitate the market demand

The reusable medical gloves market exceeded USD 3 billion in 2020 on account of the better comfort and higher durability offered by reusable gloves. Reusable gloves offer an optimal substitute to disposable gloves as they can be sanitized and laundered for reuse. These gloves are generally much thicker than disposable gloves and offer better strength and protection. Use of reusable gloves is regarded as highly effective in the longer run. Highly versatile, numerous medical applications, and environment-friendliness promotes the use of reusable gloves among physicians, dentists, surgeons and other healthcare workers.
 

Growing number of surgeries coupled with better protection offered by sterile gloves will enhance the market expansion

The sterile gloves segment was valued at USD 5.9 billion in 2020 driven by the regulated sterilization protocol, higher acceptable quality level (AQL) standards, and stringent packaging compliances. Sterile gloves have to comply with the U.S. FDA’s sterilization standards. Sterile gloves are highly resistant to contamination and reduce the risk of infection. Sterile gloves majorly find their application in surgical procedures. Rising number of surgical procedures would increase the demand and adoption of sterile gloves.
 

Wide-spread network of brick and mortar stores is expected to promote the medical gloves market progression

The brick and mortar distribution channel will reach USD 15.8 billion by 2027 led by the high presence and deep market penetration of brick and mortar stores. According to the National Retail Federation, there are over 1 million brick and mortar stores in the U.S. alone and the number is further poised to increase exponentially. Due to the widespread network of physical distribution stores and easy accessibility to product, people preference for brick and mortar stores is rising.
 

Rising incidence of hospital acquired infections is predicted to surge the demand for medical gloves

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The hospitals segment accounted for more than USD 5.9 billion in 2020 propelled by the growing product usage by medical professionals in hospitals for examination and surgical procedures. Furthermore, increasing incidence of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) such as ventilator-associated pneumonia, bloodstream infection and surgical site infection would augment the product demand. In developing countries, the number of patients suffering from ICU-acquired infection is 2 to 3 times more than in developed countries comparatively. In the U.S., at least 1 among 31 patients at hospitals suffer from healthcare-associated infection.
 

High product acceptance in the North America region to reduce the healthcare associated infections will foster the regional growth

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U.S. dominated the North America medical gloves market in 2020 and was valued at over USD 4 billion in 2020 on account of numerous factors including rising number of invasive surgical procedures, higher incidence of nosocomial infections, and growing usage of hygiene measures across the country. Pertaining to rising number of surgeries, the hospital admissions and patient inflow is growing. For instance, around 294,000 coronary artery bypass graft procedures and 1,016,000 cardiac catheterization procedures took place in the U.S. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in developed economies including the U.S., around 30% of patients in ICU are infected credited to health care-associated infection. As per the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 among 25 patients are affected due to hospital acquired infections in the country. These adverse events are set to push the adoption rate of infection control supplies including medical gloves.
 

Germany market size was more than USD 800 million in 2020 driven by growing geriatric population, rising healthcare expenditure and increasing hospitalizations in the country. As per a published research, the number of invasive medical procedures is expected to increase significantly. Growing hospital visits and surgical procedures would increase the requirement for examination and surgical gloves, thereby enhancing the product demand. Moreover, high-quality care, government initiatives to promote healthcare safety & hygiene and stringent ethical standards are facilitative for the industry.
 

Strategies adopted by major industry players will spur the business growth

Some of the major companies operating in the market are Ansell Healthcare, Top Glove Corporation Berhad, Hartalega Holdings Berhad, Semperit AG Holding, and Supermax Corporation Berhad among others. These prominent leaders emphasize on strategic partnerships, mergers and agreements in order to expand their business and launch new products to bolster the revenue share. Furthermore, these leaders are investing in research and development activities that enables them to garner maximum revenue.
 

Recent industry developments:

• In August 2019, Top Glove Corporation Bhd, announced collaboration with the University Teknologi, Malaysia intended to carry out research activities related to gloves. This strategic collaboration helped the company to accelerate its research and development activities and helped in development of novel products.
   
• In June 2019, Top Glove Corporation Bhd launched the BioGreen Biodegradable Nitrile Gloves. BioGreen gloves are environmentally friendly model of disposable nitrile gloves series offered by the company and are developed to biodegrade in vicinity of anaerobic environments. This launch offered competitive edge to the company.
   

Medical gloves market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue in USD and volume in '000 Units from 2016 to 2027, for the following segments:

Market, By Product, 2016 - 2027 (USD Million and '000 Units)

• Latex Gloves
• Nitrile Gloves
• Vinyl Gloves
• Neoprene Gloves
• Others

Market, By Form, 2016 - 2027 (USD Million and '000 Units)

• Powder-free Gloves
• Powdered Gloves

Market, By Application, 2016 - 2027 (USD Million and '000 Units)

• Examination Gloves
• Surgical Gloves

Market, By Usage, 2016 - 2027 (USD Million and '000 Units)

• Disposable Gloves
• Reusable Gloves

Market, By Sterility, 2016 - 2027 (USD Million and '000 Units)

• Sterile Gloves
• Non-sterile Gloves

Market, By Distribution Channel, 2016 - 2027 (USD Million and '000 Units)

• Brick and Mortar
• E-commerce

Market, By End-use, 2016 - 2027 (USD Million and '000 Units)

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Ambulatory Surgical Centers
• Diagnostics Centers
• Others

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea

• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina

• Middle East & Africa
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE