U.S. Nitrile Gloves Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Powdered, Powder-free), By Product (Disposable, Durable Head Protection), By End-use, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

The U.S. nitrile gloves market size is anticipated to reach USD 2.6 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.7% during the forecast period. The growth is expected to be driven by the growing healthcare expenditure, increased significance of workplace safety, and the rising awareness regarding healthcare-associated infections.

Companies have established safety guidelines and prioritized worker safety to reduce workplace hazards, thereby limiting the adverse impact on overall operational costs through arbitrated settlements or compensation. The healthcare sector is experiencing a surge in demand for nitrile gloves, primarily attributed to the growing incidence of infectious diseases and viral outbreaks. This rise in demand is further bolstered by a heightened awareness of the critical safety and health measures required during emergency response situations and patient care, all of which contribute to the increased adoption of nitrile gloves within the healthcare industry.

Urbanization reduces the availability of arable land for agriculture. This necessitates advancements in agrochemicals for growing resilient crops and promoting farm productivity. The handling of toxic chemicals and reagents in chemical & petrochemical industries is strictly monitored by health and safety agencies. Stringent regulatory policies regarding employee safety will likely fuel the demand for nitrile gloves over the forecast period.

High puncture resistance of nitrile gloves, compared to latex gloves, is anticipated to drive their demand in places with high exposure risk to environmental contaminants, and blood-borne pathogens. These gloves are alternatively known as medical-grade gloves, which have been tested to be effective in the aforementioned environments. Hence, nitrile gloves are widely used in hospitals, laboratories, and other healthcare facilities. The rising adoption of nitrile gloves in the healthcare sector, coupled with increasing healthcare expenditure in the industry, is expected to propel market growth in the coming years.

The competitive landscape of the U.S. nitrile glove market in 2022 was marked by the presence of key industry leaders with significant influence. These leaders, including Ansell; Hartalega; Top Glove Corporation Bhd; Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.; and Supermax Corporation held substantial market shares, reflecting their strong market positions. To meet the rising demand from diverse industries, corporations are pursuing business growth through strategies such as mergers and acquisitions, the establishment of new manufacturing facilities, and geographic expansion initiatives. For instance, in February 2022, SHOWA Group revealed its plans to expand its facility in Alabama, resulting in a boost to the annual production capacity of nitrile gloves to 2.8 billion units.

U.S. Nitrile Gloves Market Report Highlights

• The powdered type segment accounted for 21.2% of the market share in 2022. The powdered form makes it easier to put on and take off gloves, which can be important for workers who frequently change gloves during their tasks, which is expected to contribute to the growth of the segment
• The disposable product segment is likely to register a 3.9% CAGR over the forecast period Durable nitrile gloves offer higher chemical resistance compared to other disposable gloves. These gloves provide protection against mild chemicals and irritants; however, they are not suitable for use with harsh chemicals or in harsh environments in industries such as metal & manufacturing or oil & gas
• The medical & healthcare end-use segment accounted for 81.8% of the market share in 2022. Nitrile gloves are widely used across medical and healthcare industries to aid doctors and patients in preventing cross-contamination and transmission of pathogens during medical examinations and surgeries
• For instance, in March 2023, American Nitrile teamed with The Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) in March 2023 to supply domestically produced nitrile gloves. This aimed to fulfill the national need for personal protective equipment (PPE) and reduce supply chains