Analysis of the North American Disposable Gloves Market

This Frost & Sullivan research service titled Analysis of the North American Disposable Gloves Market provides an in-depth analysis of the market’s drivers, restraints, and industry challenges. It also offers forecasts for market shares, revenues, and an analysis of the top competitors. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the following markets: medical disposable gloves and non-medical disposable gloves.

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Market Overview

Saturated Disposable Gloves Market Turns to Novel Materials to Tap New Revenue Opportunities

Latex Gloves Make Way for Synthetic or Lower-protein Latex Alternatives

The North American disposable gloves market has made continual, although tepid progress, over the last few decades because of recurring demand from the medical segments. While the medical disposable gloves segment is saturated, certain underserved end users such as alternate care, dentistry, and long-term care offer opportunities for growth. The non-medical segment is not as highly penetrated as the medical segment due to the lack of regulations and awareness. Disposable gloves are finding increasing application in segments such as high technology, service, and food industries, which are not traditional users of this product. The low entry barriers are attracting more participants to the already overcrowded market, creating pricing pressures and an attendant lowering of market revenues. Further, the volatile raw material prices of both natural and synthetic rubber have placed additional pressure on suppliers to revise product prices many times a year. This creates dissatisfaction among the highly price sensitive end users. “In this scenario, suppliers can improve uptake by educating potential users about the associated high costs of treating hospital-acquired infections,” says the analyst of this research. “Non-medical end users are also realizing the importance of wearing gloves but the pace of uptake depends on them being aware of their choices and picking a task-appropriate glove.”

Another fallout of the price fluctuations is that the prices of latex have increased significantly over the past 12 months. This has dissipated the cost advantage latex had over synthetics. With nitrile rapidly gaining in stature in the market, many branded manufacturers are developing product lines using this synthetic material. “There has been a continued conversion to synthetic or lower protein gloves because of concerns of latex allergy,” notes the analyst. “Moreover, technology advances in synthetic materials have enabled the development of disposable gloves that feel as comfortable as latex and are priced competitively.” End users’ demand for comfort, fit, and dexterity has turned manufacturers’ attention to materials or designs that can satisfy these requirements. Apart from novel materials, market participants must also focus on product differentiation to stand out in this mature market. They must explore new opportunities within the already existing range of products and solutions, offer excellent customer service, and form strategic partnerships with raw material suppliers, contract manufacturers, and distributors.

Market Sectors

Expert Frost & Sullivan analysts thoroughly examine the following market sectors in this research:

• Medical disposable gloves
• Non-medical disposable gloves

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