Global Medical Gloves Market Size, Share, Growth Analysis, By Form(Powdered and Powdered-Free), By Application(Examination and Surgical) - Industry Forecast 2023-2030

Global Medical Gloves Market size was valued at USD 7.02 Billion in 2021 and is poised to grow from USD 7.50 Billion in 2022 to USD 11.97 Billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 6.90% during the forecast period (2023-2030).

The surge in demand for medical gloves is being propelled by factors such as heightened awareness of hygiene standards, increased healthcare spending, and a growing need for gloves in various medical procedures. The global demand has been further accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with medical gloves playing a crucial role in safeguarding frontline healthcare workers. The market is marked by a multitude of manufacturers and suppliers offering a diverse range of gloves crafted from materials like latex, nitrile, and vinyl. These gloves fall under the category of class I restricted medical equipment as per FDA regulations. Medical gloves serve as a vital tool in preventing infections and controlling the spread of germs in healthcare settings, acting as a protective barrier between users' hands and pathogens. In March 2022, American Nitrile, LLC disclosed a strategic alliance with Orion Infrastructure Capital to finalize the construction of its manufacturing facility in Grove City, Ohio. The partnership, supported by a USD 105 million investment from OIC, aimed to complete twelve production lines with an annual capacity of 3.6 billion nitrile gloves. Despite a patient appearing healthy, healthcare professionals (HCPs) are advised to consistently wear medical gloves during any contact involving the patient's blood, bodily fluids, tissues, mucous membranes, or compromised skin. It is inherent to the design that all medical gloves are intended for single-use or disposable purposes.

Top-down and bottom-up approaches were used to estimate and validate the size of the Global Medical Gloves Market and to estimate the size of various other dependent submarkets. The research methodology used to estimate the market size includes the following details: The key players in the market were identified through secondary research, and their market shares in the respective regions were determined through primary and secondary research. This entire procedure includes the study of the annual and financial reports of the top market players and extensive interviews for key insights from industry leaders such as CEOs, VPs, directors, and marketing executives. All percentage shares split, and breakdowns were determined using secondary sources and verified through Primary sources. All possible parameters that affect the markets covered in this research study have been accounted for, viewed in extensive detail, verified through primary research, and analyzed to get the final quantitative and qualitative data.

Segments covered in this report

Global Medical Gloves Market is segmented on the basis of form, medical, applications and region. By form, the market is segmented into powdered and powdered-free. By medical, market is segmented into latex, nitrile, vinyl, neoprene. By application, the market is segmented into examination and surgical. By region, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.

Drivers:

The prevalence of acute and chronic disorders has led to a notable increase in surgical operations and patient examinations within the public healthcare system. In the United States alone, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported nearly 18 million surgical and minimally invasive aesthetic procedures in 2018. The surge in these medical interventions has heightened the demand for unique medical gloves designed to cater to the specific requirements of diverse procedures. Healthcare workers are increasingly relying on these gloves to ensure the safety and hygiene of both patients and practitioners during the growing number of operations and examinations.

The extended breakdown period of traditional medical gloves, often spanning decades, has raised environmental concerns. In response, businesses are introducing biodegradable gloves to the market as a solution to mitigate the environmental impact of glove disposal. Manufacturers are focusing on developing gloves that are not only biodegradable but also sustainable, protein-free, and crafted from natural rubber, which requires less energy consumption in the production process. Natural rubber gloves, in particular, offer a faster biodegradation process compared to synthetic alternatives. Nitrile medical gloves, known for their chemical resistance, low allergy rates, and biohazard protection, are commonly used, contributing to an eco-friendlier production process and safeguarding the ecosystem.

Restraints

The medical product whose identity and origins are misrepresented, presenting significant health risks. A study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that approximately one in ten medical items circulating in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) are either substandard or counterfeit. This issue is particularly prevalent with fake medical gloves, where misrepresentation can lead to non-sterile products labelled as sterile, thereby exposing users to infection risks. Consumers, especially in underdeveloped nations, may be inclined towards these low-cost imitation solutions due to economic constraints and the scarcity of authentic medical gloves. Instead of providing protection against viruses, such substandard or fake products have the potential to pose even greater health threats to consumers.

Market Trends:

Producers are actively engaged in ongoing research and development endeavors aimed at introducing new generations of disposable gloves into the market. In response to the rising prevalence of healthcare-associated infections among both patients and healthcare personnel, a novel medical glove has been innovated to effectively eliminate bacteria without resorting to chemical agents. This groundbreaking product is the result of collaboration between Chemical Intelligence UK, an antimicrobial research and development firm, and Hartalega Malaysia, a leading manufacturer of medical gloves, alongside the University of Nottingham. Moreover, the University of Nottingham's research has led to the creation of medical blood-repellent gloves (MBRG), which involves the application of a blood-repellent mist spray (MS) onto conventional medical gloves. These gloves offer immediate usability upon application. Notably, MBRG gloves demonstrate the capability to prevent the spread of pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, while also expediting the healing process for cuts and scrapes. This innovation represents a significant advancement in infection control measures within healthcare settings.