Market Trends of Disposable Medical Gloves Industry
The Surgical Medical Gloves Segment is Expected to Hold a Significant Share in the Disposable Medical Gloves Market During the Forecast Period
Hospitals and healthcare facilities prominently utilize disposable surgical medical gloves. Surgical gloves are made of polyisoprene, polychloroprene, and polyvinyl chloride and are explicitly designed for the accuracy and sensitivity surgeons require. These are sterile gloves that are discarded after the completion of surgery. The segment is expected to grow due to the rising burden of surgical procedures worldwide and advancements in surgical gloves.
The high burden of plastic surgery and cardiovascular surgeries is propelling the growth of the segment. For instance, as per 2023 Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Statistics, the field of plastic surgery experienced a notable surge in demand, driven by evolving beauty standards and the desire for self-improvement in the wake of the pandemic. Liposuction remained the most popular procedure, with approximately 394,527 surgeries performed in 2023, reflecting a 7% increase from the previous year. Breast augmentation continued to be a favored choice, with around 249,560 procedures conducted in 2023, as patients sought enhanced symmetry and aesthetics. These procedures require disposable surgical gloves, which is expected to propel the segment growth during the forecast period.
Also, a study published in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Open Journal in 2022 stated that many surgical glove users would prefer gloves with adjustable finger lengths as current surgical gloves do not support hand anatomy variations. A survey of 6810 plastic surgery glove users was conducted, and 44.76% preferred such gloves if available. Such studies create an opportunity to fulfill unmet needs, further expected to propel the segment during the forecast period.
Additionally, the advancements in products, increasing product launches, partnerships, and acquisitions by market players help the segment grow. For instance, in March 2024, Sempermed unveiled skySense, the latest enhancement to its renowned portfolio of examination and personal protective gloves. This newly introduced blue glove caters to the growing demand for vibrant color choices, broadening the spectrum of lightweight glove offerings. It is versatile, making it apt for a range of applications, including surgeries. Thus, such launches are expected to increase its adoption, contributing to the segment growth.
Hence, due to the factors mentioned above, such as the high demand for surgical disposable gloves during plastic surgery and other surgeries, as well as investment by market players to accelerate the production of disposable surgical gloves, the growth of this segment is expected to increase during the forecast period.
North America is Expected to Hold a Significant Share in the Market and is Expected to do Same During the Forecast Period
North America is anticipated to hold a significant share of the disposable medical gloves market during the forecast period owing to the high burden of surgical procedures and hospital admissions, stringent government regulations, and a strong presence of market players in the region.
The large number of surgeries performed is associated with a high demand for disposable medical gloves in the region. According to data from the American College of Rheumatology published in October 2023, around 790,000 total knee replacements and 544,000 hip replacements are performed annually in the United States. This trend is expected to increase as the population ages. Additionally, as per an article published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery in February 2023, projections suggest that by 2040, the annual volume of total hip arthroplasties (THA) is set to reach 719,364, while total knee arthroplasties (TKA) are poised to surge to 1,222,988. Such procedures boost the utility of disposable medical gloves during the treatment to avoid direct contact with the patient's skin and bacterial infection, thereby accelerating market growth.
In addition, the strategic initiatives that market players adopt, such as product launches, expanding manufacturing facilities, and partnerships, contribute to the market growth in the region. For instance, in November 2022, SafeSource Direct's chemo-rated nitrile exam gloves received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Thus, such approval by regulatory authorities may increase demand for these products, contributing to the market growth.
Also, in March 2022, American Nitrile LLC entered a strategic partnership with Orion Infrastructure Capital to complete the development of its manufacturing facility in Grove City, Ohio. OIC provided USD 105 million to support the completion of 12 production lines with an aggregate capacity of 3.6 billion disposable nitrile gloves per year. Such initiatives to expand the gloves manufacturing facility to augment the disposable gloves production are expected to propel the market growth in the region.
Therefore, owing to the above factors, such as high surgical procedures and rising demand for disposable medical gloves, the growth of the market is anticipated in North America.
