U.S. Disposable Medical Gloves Markets
Frost & Sullivan, December 2006, Pages: 80
Research Overview
The Frost & Sullivan research service titled U.S. Medical Gloves Markets provides an overview of the effects of market conditions and product evolution, estimated revenues and market share, along with analysis of key market drivers, restraints, and trends that are impacting manufacturers’ research and development, and healthcare providers’ spending. In this research service, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the following markets: NRL powder, NRL powder free, nitrile, vinyl and synthetic glove markets within the exam and surgical segments.
Market Sectors
Expert Frost & Sullivan analysts thoroughly examine the following market sectors in this research:
By application:
-NRL powder gloves
-NRL powder free gloves
-Vinyl gloves
-Nitrile gloves
-Synthetic gloves
Technologies
The following technologies are covered in this research:
-Natural Rubber Latex (NRL): This is the traditional material used in medical examination gloves. These are utilized by the healthcare professionals for protection against the risk of blood borne pathogens and transmittable diseases. Latex gloves are generally considered to be stronger and possess more elasticity than other types of gloves.
-Powder Examination Gloves: These are dusted with a dry lubricant on the inner surface of the glove. These lubricants facilitate the donning of the glove by the end user and also prevent the gloves from sticking together during the manufacturing process. Due to high costs of production, powder examination gloves tend to carry be priced higher than many non-powder alternatives.
-Synthetic Examination Gloves: These are non-natural rubber latex gloves used for medical examinations. These gloves are typically used by the healthcare professionals who are sensitized to natural rubber latex or are prone to allergic reactions from the proteins found in natural rubber latex. Synthetic gloves are often considered to have the closest resemblance to the fit and feel of the latex glove.
-Nitrile Exam Gloves: These are the protein-free disposable gloves, which are utilized with the aim of abating allergic reactions. They are marketed as being very durable and providing protection against tears, punctures, and harmful chemicals. Nitrile material also offers a snug fit by reacting to the user's body temperature and conforming to the shape of the hand.
-1. U.S. Total Disposable Medical Gloves Market
--1. Executive Summary
---1. Executive Summary
--2. Introduction
---1. Overview
---2. Scope and Segmentation
---3. Definitions and Abbreviations
---4. Research Methodology
--3. Market Dynamics
---1. Market Engineering Measurements
---2. Industry Challenges
---3. Strategic Recommendations
---4. Market Drivers
---5. Market Restraints
--4. Frost & Sullivan Awards
---1. Customer Service Leadership Award
---2. Product Innovation Award
---3. Technology Innovation Award
---4. Brand Development Strategy Leadership Award
-2. U.S. Disposable Medical Examination Gloves Market
--1. Introduction
---1. Overview
---2. Technology Trends
---3. Distribution and Demand Structure
--2. Competitive Analysis
---1. Competitive Structure
---2. Market Share Analysis
---3. Market Engineering Measurements
--3. NRL Powder-Free Exam Gloves Market
---1. Revenue and Unit Shipment Forecasts
---2. Pricing Forecasts
--4. NRL Powdered Exam Gloves Market
---1. Revenue and Unit Shipment Forecasts
---2. Pricing Forecasts
--5. PVC Exam Gloves Market
---1. Revenue and Unit Shipment Forecasts
---2. Pricing Forecasts
--6. Nitrile Exam Gloves Market
---1. Revenue and Unit Shipment Forecasts
---2. Pricing Forecasts
-3. U.S. Disposable Surgical Gloves Market
--1. Introduction
---1. Overview
---2. Technology Trends
---3. Distribution and Demand Structure
--2. Competitive Analysis
---1. Competitive Structure
---2. Market Share Analysis
---3. Market Engineering Measurements
--3. NRL Powder-free Surgical Gloves Market
---1. Revenue and Unit Shipment Forecasts
---2. Pricing Forecasts
--4. NRL Powdered Surgical Gloves Market
---1. Revenue and Unit Shipment Forecasts
---2. Pricing Forecasts
--5. Synthetic Surgical Gloves Market
---1. Revenue and Unit Shipment Forecasts
---2. Pricing Forecasts
Market Overview
Latex Allergy Issues Drive the Sale of Alternative Powder Free and Non-latex Gloves
The U.S. medical gloves market is nuance driven, where market conditions and end-user perceptions play crucial roles in determining the manufacturers’ success within the various stake holder segments. In today’s market, the most glaring issue deals with a growing awareness of the dangers associated with powder latex gloves among both clinicians and patients alike. Reactions such as irritation, type IV hypersensitivity from chemicals found in the natural rubber latex (NRL) gloves, as well as type I hypersensitivity to NRL protein allergens are commonly documented averse reactions to the NRL powder gloves. Due to this, many healthcare organizations have also begun shifting away from latex gloves altogether, and are moving toward nitrile and synthetic alternatives. Hence, allergy issues and a growing awareness of alternatives to the NRL powder glove are likely to help drive the sale of non-powder and non-latex alternatives throughout the forecast period.
Nevertheless, budgetary constraints continue to hamper the sale of non-latex and specialty gloves, as a majority of healthcare organizations throughout the country face difficulty to increase their spending beyond what has been budgeted. Thus, despite the benefits associated with non-latex alternatives and specialty gloves, many organizations still forgo these products for cheaper and more cost-effective alternatives. This especially holds relevance among alternative care sites, wherein budgets are significantly tighter and awareness of issues regarding powder latex gloves is not as widespread. "This apart, rising rubber prices are also likely to significantly hinder the sale of latex gloves in the short to medium term," notes the analyst at Frost & Sullivan. "The explosive demand worldwide for natural rubber has resulted in an 81.5 percent natural rubber latex price increase since January 2005, in turn pushing up the prices of NRL gloves."
Increasing New Market Entrants Likely Lead to Growth for Glove Unit Shipment Levels
As result of greater demand for NRL powder alternatives from the provider side, an increasing number of companies are likely to continue to enter the market in an attempt to capitalize on the demand. This continued entry of the new market participants is expected to provide for a rise in the disposable glove production over the course of the forecast period. Additionally, the continued increase in patient volumes is also likely to drive unit shipments, as healthcare organizations across the board are anticipated to increase their expenditure on disposable gloves to accommodate growing patient volumes. This can, in turn, lead to the purchase of lower-priced gloves to alleviate cost constraints for some organizations, especially within the alternative care segment.
Among the market segments, unit shipments of the NRL powdered gloves, in both the medical exam gloves and the surgical gloves market, have undergone significant reductions over the past three years. Correspondingly, NRL powder-free gloves have continued to gain acceptance, displaying considerable growth in terms of both unit shipments and revenues. "Although the overall U.S. medical gloves market continues to grow, adoption patterns have begun changing over the past several years, and will continue to do so as clinicians become increasingly aware of the negative components of the previously more used latex gloves, and continue demanding alternatives," says the analyst. "Additional factors such as price point and technology innovation will also play critical roles in determining further market penetration in the years to come."
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