LATAM & Caribbean Disposable Surgical Gloves Market to Grow at a CAGR of 5.2% to reach US$ 291.32 million from 2022 to 2030

The disposable surgical gloves market size is expected to grow from US$ 194.21 million in 2022 to US$ 291.32 million by 2030; it is estimated to register a CAGR of 5.2% from 2022 to 2030.

Analyst’s Viewpoint

The disposable surgical gloves market analysis explains market drivers such as the increased investment for medical consumables and devices and growing consumption and distribution of disposable surgical gloves. Further, the rising medical tourism is expected to introduce new trends in the market during 2022–2030. Based on type, the nitrile gloves segment accounted for a larger share in 2022. Based on sterility, the sterile gloves segment dominated the market by accounting maximum share in 2022. By form, powder-free segment accounted a larger share in 2022. By distribution channel, the offline segment accounted the largest share in 2022. In terms of end user, the hospital segment is likely to account for a considerable share of the disposable surgical gloves market during the forecast period.

Disposable surgical gloves act as a protective barrier to prevent the possible transmission of diseases between healthcare professionals and patients during surgical procedures. Also, while performing medical examinations, disposable surgical gloves prevent contamination between caregivers and patients, and these gloves are used during procedures that do not require sterile conditions. Also, disposable surgical gloves can protect the wearer from harmful chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

Market Insights

Increased Investments for Medical Consumables and Devices

Many studies have shown a significant rise in budgets and no restrictions on procedure volume. According to a study published by Global Health Intelligence (GHI) in March 2022, ~75% of hospitals in Latin America have not restricted the number of procedures and increased their budgets to import medical supplies and consumables. Among the countries in Latin America, Brazil has reported that more than a quarter of hospitals have increased the use of consumables. The study by GHI also reported that the third quarter of 2022 reported lower growth rates in consumables; however, there was a rise in consumables inventory. In addition, the countries showed an increased trend in consumption of consumables.

Similarly, the MedTech Outlook: Latin America 2023 report presented vital information of over 1,500 key facts that aim to market and sell medical devices to Latin America. Thus, the factors mentioned above have significantly contributed to the growth of the disposable surgical gloves market in Latin America. Moreover, the increase in investments in medical equipment by the key countries in the region has widely led to the growth of the market. For instance, during 2020–2021, Brazil was among the largest capital investors for medical infrastructure and devices. During 2020–2021, Mexico increased its investments in the medical sector and, in 2022, started purchasing and improving healthcare infrastructure. Likewise, Colombia, Chile, and Argentina adopted the same strategies. Argentina increased its investments in 2021 by 8.7% during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was 11% in 2022. Also, the countries in the region are the largest importers of medical consumables. Thus, the investments to increase medical infrastructure have led to increased import of medical consumables, including disposable surgical gloves.

Likewise, Chile is experiencing significant growth in the number of hospitals, which is expected to drive the demand for disposable surgical gloves. Compared to hospitals in Latin America, with an average of 46 beds per hospital, Chile’s hospitals are compared to the hospitals in the US. Chile is the only country in Latin America with 120–140 beds per hospital. The increasing number of hospital beds is expected to propel the number of surgical procedures, which drives the market growth. Thus, considering the hospitals' size in Latin American countries, the demand for disposable surgical gloves as a consumable has boomed, leading to market growth.

Future Trend

Rising Medical Tourism

Latin America is among the fastest-growing regions for the medical industry. The growing medical tourism, increasing investments for developing healthcare infrastructure, and growing number of hospitals and clinics are leading to the demand for medical consumables, including disposable surgical gloves. According to the Pacific Prime Latin America article published in July 2023, Latin America has over 19,000 hospitals. Brazil is the leading country in the region, surpassing the number of hospitals in the US; in 2023, the country had a count of 6,642 hospitals. The medical industry has drastically transformed and adopted minimally invasive surgeries in recent years. Countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica, Argentina, Colombia, and Panama have well-established medical tourism in Latin America, offering medical care at cheaper rates under medical tourism plans. Brazil is well-known for aesthetic and cosmetic procedures, and Mexico is well-known for surgical procedures. The countries have attracted the maximum number of patients from the US and Canada, as Latin American countries offer more convenience and have improved medical capabilities. The Pacific Prime Latin America article published in July 2023 also revealed that medical procedures in Mexico and Costa Rica could save up to 36–89% and 44–89%, respectively, to the patients compared to the costs in the US.

Similarly, countries such as Chile, Peru, Cuba, and the Caribbean Islands are witnessing noticeable growth in their medical tourism. The growing medical tourism trend in Latin America is expected to be similar in the coming years. It will likely boost demand for disposable surgical gloves, leading to market growth. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has widely helped change the healthcare landscape in the region; it has evolved the medical industry and is expected to show significant growth in the future.

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LATAM & Caribbean Disposable Surgical Gloves Market: Strategic Insights

Market Size Value in	US$ 194.21 million in 2022
Market Size Value by	US$ 291.32 million by 2030
Growth rate	CAGR of 5.2% from 2022 to 2030
Forecast Period	2022-2030
Base Year	2022

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Report Segmentation and Scope

Type-Based Insights

Based on type, the disposable surgical gloves market is segmented as latex, nitrile, vinyl, neoprene, natural rubber, polyisoprene, and others. The nitrile gloves segment held the largest market share in 2022 and is anticipated to register the highest CAGR of 5.1% during 2022–2030. Natural rubber latex, commonly referred to as latex, is the most widely and satisfactorily used material for glove production. Due to its high elasticity, it can easily stretch, allowing donning effortlessly. Natural rubber used for manufacturing latex gloves is harvested from Hevea brasiliensis trees. Its properties, such as adaptability, dexterity, durability, tactile sensitivity, and prolonged comfort, prevent fatigue. Latex gloves are available in different colors, sizes, and coatings. Disposable latex gloves are popularly used in primary care and hospitals, as well as in noninvasive, low-risk, and general procedures.

Latex also performs well with solvents and various common chemicals, such as alcohols, ammonia, and acetone. Due to the tactility of surgical gloves, they are highly preferred in sensitive applications, such as surgeries. Medi-Grip latex products, produced by Ansell Ltd., exhibit good handling and secure grip via unique external surface treatment. The soft and malleable latex formulation offers ample dexterity and good comfort. The product is primarily recommended for use during sterile procedures in the operating room (OR) and as an outer glove when double gloving. Cardinal Health offers Protexis Latex, Protexis Latex Blue with Neu-Thera, Protexis Latex Classic, Protexis Latex Hydrogel, Protexis Latex Micro, Protexis Latex Ortho, and Protexis Latex with Neu-Thera variants of latex gloves in the market.

Sterility-Based Insights

Based on sterility, the global disposable surgical gloves market is bifurcated into sterile and non-sterile. The sterile segment held a larger market share in 2022 and is anticipated to register a higher CAGR of 5.4% during 2022–2030.

Distribution Channel-Based Insights

Based on distribution channel, the LATAM & Caribbean disposable surgical gloves market is bifurcated into online and offline. The offline segment held a larger market share in 2022 and is anticipated to register a higher CAGR during 2022–2030

End User-Based Insights

In terms of end user, the disposable surgical gloves market is segmented into hospitals, veterinary, dental, and others. The hospitals segment held the largest market share in 2022 and is anticipated to register the highest CAGR of 5.0% during the forecast period.

The hospitals segment is expected to hold a major share in the disposable surgical gloves market as these facilities are the primary healthcare centers for people seeking diagnosis and treatment. The requirement for surgical gloves in hospitals and clinics is increasing due to the rise in hospital visits and readmissions because of chronic diseases. Wearing gloves helps protect patients and healthcare professionals from healthcare-associated infections. The demand for surgical gloves is also influenced by growing awareness regarding the safety and health measures associated with treating patients and emergency response incidents. The risks associated with the transmission of bloodborne pathogens and viruses have led to increased adoption of surgical gloves in these facilities. The high patient footfall and the need to maintain sterile conditions during surgical procedures necessitate the use of disposable surgical gloves. The emphasis on infection control and preventing cross-contamination in hospital environments also fuels the demand for these medical gloves. In addition, developing healthcare infrastructure in emerging markets, rising healthcare expenditure, lucrative reimbursement policies, and increasing emphasis on better patient outcomes contribute to the growth of the hospital and clinics segment.

Form-Based Insights

The disposable surgical gloves market, by form, is bifurcated into powder and powder-free. The powder-free segment held a larger market share in 2022 and is anticipated to register a higher CAGR of 5.1% during the forecast period. Powder-free disposable gloves offer multiple advantages as they contain fewer chemicals and endotoxins. These gloves are less allergenic, less drying, and more skin tolerant. Latex powder-free surgical gloves offer extraordinary dexterity and improve comfort and flexibility. Powder-free gloves have been developed to reduce the risk of latex allergy and sensitivity for users and patients. The latex protein content in these gloves is minimal, thereby reducing skin allergies. These gloves minimize the transfer of latex protein particles to the skin and airways due to the chlorine-washing process, while the low-protein varieties further reduce the risk. Therefore, for healthcare facilities where latex is still the most appropriate glove material, powder-free, low-protein latex gloves must be used. Ansell and Cardinal Health are among the players offering powder-free disposable gloves in the market.

Disposable Surgical Gloves Market, by Type – 2022 and 2030

Regional Analysis

The LATAM & Caribbean disposable surgical gloves market is segmented into Brazil, Argentina, Caribbean Rest of LATAM, and Rest of Caribbean. Among the Caribbean countries, Cuba holds largest share for disposable surgical gloves. As per the Cuban New Agency report published in June 2021, Cuba announced resuming the production of domestic gloves for the national health sector. The Latex Articles Factory in Las Tunas province resumed production of 283,000 pairs of domestic gloves destined for the health sector. The production of 283,000 pairs of domestic gloves was achieved through the supply of 25,996 kg of centrifuged natural latex, the main raw material used in manufacturing domestic gloves, along with imported components that were already in the factory, aiding in the delivery of gloves in a complex epidemiological scenario during the COVID-19 pandemic. The procurement of domestic gloves was in collaboration with the Ministries of Tourism and Public Health of Cuba. Further, since the beginning of the pandemic in Cuba in March 2020, the factory of latex articles in Las Tunas has redoubled its efforts to guarantee compliance with biosafety protocols.

The report profiles leading players operating in the global disposable surgical gloves market. These include Owens & Minor Inc, HARPS Holdings Bhd, Top Glove Corp Bhd, Ansell Ltd, B Braun SE, Cardinal Health Inc, Ametro SaRL, Bahamas Medical & Surgical Supplies Ltd, Lighthouse Medical Supplies Ltd, and Hextar Healthcare Bhd.

• In March 2022, Owens & Minor Inc announced the complete acquisition of Apria, Inc. for approximately US$ 1.6 billion. The acquisition helped the company to expand the experience for the patient, provider, and payor for diabetes, ostomy, incontinence, wound care, home respiratory, obstructive sleep apnea, and negative pressure wound therapy products. 
• In December 2022, HARPS Holdings Bhd announced the complete acquisition of Semperit Technische Produkte GmbH (Semperit) for EUR115 million (RM540 million). The acquisition has helped to acquire the medical examination and surgical gloves business of Sempermed, a part of Semperit. In addition, the acquisition has helped HARPS expand geographically and strengthen its product portfolio.

Company Profiles

• Owens & Minor Inc           
• HARPS Holdings Bhd         
• Top Glove Corp Bhd          
• Ansell Ltd    
• B Braun SE           
• Cardinal Health Inc           
• Ametro SaRL         
• Bahamas Medical & Surgical Supplies Ltd           
• Lighthouse Medical Supplies Ltd    
• Hextar Healthcare Bhd