Report Overview
The global surgical gloves market size was estimated at USD 2,005.6 million in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8 % from 2023 to 2030. The rising awareness among industry participants about the importance of employee safety is anticipated to drive market growth. Surgical gloves are widely used by healthcare professionals while performing surgical procedures, which assists to reduce the transmission of infection from patients to healthcare professionals. The demand-supply gap for surgical gloves is expected to expand internationally due to supply restrictions including limited manufacturing capacity, lengthy construction times, and a shortage of labor during the pandemic period.
Additionally, it is projected that trade restrictions would cause companies to experience logistical difficulties when procuring raw materials, which will exacerbate the gap between supply and demand for surgical gloves However, manufacturers are increasingly focused on digitalization, automation, innovation, and artificial intelligence, which has improved process efficiency, fueling market expansion in the coming years.
According to the Population Reference Bureau, the number of people aged 65 and above in the U.S. is expected to double from 52 million in 2018 to 95 million by 2060. The U.S. also spends the highest expenditure on healthcare globally. As industry players are becoming more conscious of the value of employee safety, the aforementioned variables are therefore likely to have a beneficial effect on the market. For instance, according to U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services report 2023, in 2021, the healthcare spending per person was USD 12,914 in the U.S., which was USD 5,000 higher than that of any other high-income country.
Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have suggested that medical gloves be used strictly for all types of treatments being performed in the medical field. Healthcare workers wear medical gloves, such as surgical gloves, to stop the transmission of microorganisms that could lead to an infection or disease. These aforementioned factors are anticipated to augment the demand for surgical gloves in the coming years.
Material Insights
The natural rubber segment led the surgical gloves market and accounted for 37.5% of the global revenue share in 2022. The surgical gloves made from natural rubber or latex are tactile, owing to which, they are highly preferred in sensitive applications, such as surgeries and medical procedures. In addition, they are flexible and comfortable to wear and ideal for handling water-based or biological materials. The demand for such gloves in the medical sector is expected to grow significantly on account of the FDA-approved usage of latex gloves in the medical sector.
Nitrile surgical gloves segment is expected to witness a CAGR of 6.7% over the forecast period. These gloves are generally preferred while dealing in high-risk settings such as patients with infectious diseases or surgeries involving blood and other bodily fluids. Due to the high risk associated with surgical procedures and operating room environments, surgical gloves are tested rigorously to meet the guidelines specified by the Food and Drug Administration. These aforementioned factors are expected to drive the demand for market expansion.
As nitrile gloves are latex-free, this encourages their acceptance level among individuals who are sensitive to latex/natural rubber and further leads to a decrease in the odds of allergic reactions. Other surgical gloves such as vinyl gloves are latex-free and made from plasticizers and polyvinyl chloride. Vinyl gloves offer an ideal solution wherein a regular change of gloves is essential. Growing demand for FDA-approved and antimicrobial gloves is expected to boost the segment growth over the estimated period.
Report Coverage & Deliverables
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The end-use category for emergency medical services is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% over the forecast period. The end-use segment for emergency medical services is likely to be driven by the rising number of urgent care visits made at clinics due to patients' expanding choices for amenities and affordability, which has resulted in a rise in the use of surgical gloves in such facilities to support the industry landscape. Moreover, among the important aspects fostering market expansion are the soaring demand for emergency treatment, increasing rates of trauma, and rising healthcare spending.
The ‘Others’ end-use segment comprises clinical, treatment centers, and nursing homes, among others.Factors such as the expansion of public healthcare systems, increased economic power, and population growth are anticipated to increase healthcare spending globally.
Furthermore, the aging population, rising number of people with chronic & long-term conditions, increased investments in MedTech & expensive infrastructure, increasing labor costs & staff shortages, and the growing demand for broader ecosystem services are expected to boost the demand for surgical gloves among other end-users in the coming years. For instance, India spends roughly 0.6% of GDP on R&D in the healthcare sector, compared to the U.S.'s 2.8%, China's 2.1%, and Israel's 4.3%. Thus, increasing investment in R&D in the healthcare sector will drive market growth.
The growing need for personal protective equipment in Europe will drive the market for surgical gloves due to the increase in the number of qualified nurses, midwives, associate nurses, and other care workers in Europe. For instance, the global nursing and midwifery workforce, which made up 50% of the global health workforce, is made up of about 27 million men and women. Germany was the top-performing EU member state with a 3.4% share, followed by Finland (3.0%), Belgium (2.9%), and Ireland (2.8%). The National Health Plan 2018-22 of France, which strives to assure the quality, safety, and appropriateness of the healthcare sector, is another example of a stringent regulation that exists and that has boosted the need for surgical gloves.
Key Companies & Market Share Insights
Market players have adopted several strategies such as joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions, new product developments, and expansions to enhance market penetration and cater to the varying requirements of various end-users, such as hospitals, veterinary, emergency medical services, and other facilities. For instance, Cranberry introduced bio-nitrile biodegradable powder-free examination gloves in May 2023. These gloves are intended to address the growing demand for sustainable products.