The global disposable gloves market was valued at USD 9.57 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4% from 2024 to 2030. This growth is attributed to several factors, including favorable occupational safety regulations, increased emphasis on workplace safety, and rising healthcare expenditure worldwide. The growing importance of personal protection in various sectors, especially healthcare, is a key factor driving demand. In major developing economies, the healthcare sector is expected to experience significant expansion, driven by increasing investments from both public and private sectors, a rising population, a large influx of migrants, and a growing elderly population. As healthcare spending rises, demand for disposable gloves, which are essential for hygiene and safety, is anticipated to increase.
In the United States, the disposable gloves industry benefits from a well-developed healthcare infrastructure, higher disposable incomes, and a large geriatric population that requires consistent medical care. The COVID-19 pandemic further spurred the demand for disposable gloves, particularly in healthcare settings, as gloves became essential in curbing the spread of infections. This surge in demand has reinforced the importance of disposable gloves across healthcare facilities and other industries where hygiene and protection are priorities.
Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Disposable Gloves Market
In industries like healthcare, medical services, and mining, workers are regularly exposed to hazardous chemicals that pose risks such as skin irritations, rashes, cuts, amputations, and exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Consequently, strict safety regulations have become essential to protecting workers, contributing to the disposable gloves market's growth. Awareness is also increasing around the need for high-quality materials in gloves that offer properties like heat resistance, comfort, elasticity, and lightweight durability. This growing awareness has led to intensified research and development efforts by major industry players, who aim to improve glove functionality and expand their application across various sectors through innovative design and material enhancements.
The manufacturing of disposable gloves is capital-intensive, involving high raw material costs and complex production processes. To remain competitive, many raw material suppliers have integrated vertically into the production of disposable gloves, thereby strengthening their position within the supply chain.
End-use Segmentation Insights:
The medical end-use segment dominated the disposable gloves market in 2023, supported by advanced healthcare systems and an aging population in many regions. Events such as pandemics and other global health crises can significantly boost demand, as they raise awareness about the importance of hygiene and safety, especially within healthcare settings. Disposable gloves for medical use are generally categorized as either surgical or examination gloves. Examination gloves, in particular, have seen robust demand within hospitals, veterinary clinics, and dental practices. Surgical gloves, however, adhere to higher quality standards and are primarily used by surgeons and operating room staff due to the sterile environment required for surgeries.
Disposable gloves are also widely used in a variety of other industries to prevent hand injuries, which are common in sectors like food processing, construction, automotive, oil and gas, and metal fabrication. These gloves offer protection against hazards such as hot surfaces, splinters, bodily fluids, sharp edges, vibrations, electricity, and extreme temperatures. Demand for disposable gloves in the chemical and petrochemical industries is projected to rise significantly from 2024 to 2030, driven by the need for safe handling of volatile substances in laboratories and chemical production facilities. Additionally, rising concerns about employee safety and the implementation of initiatives to reduce injury rates in manufacturing facilities are expected to further boost demand for protective disposable gloves during the forecast period.
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