Demand for Medical Gloves Pushes Record Rubber Gloves Exports

The Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (MARGMA) has forecast that rubber glove exports are expected to increase by 23 percent to 8.8 billion. And according to a report in Business Times, Malaysia was expected to post record rubber glove exports for the eighth straight year in 2010, driven by higher global demand for medical gloves. The report notes, "Last year, the country exported close to 100 billion pieces of rubber gloves to more than 180 countries. This volume makes up two-thirds of the global market for rubber gloves. Healthcare products like medical gloves continue to see strong demand despite the current lackluster global economic growth."

According to the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG), global rubber consumption reached 23.1 million tons in the 12 months leading up to June 2010, 11.2 percent higher than at the same point in 2009. Global rubber demand is forecast to reach 23.9 million tons in 2010 and 25.5 million tons in 2011; natural rubber demand is expected to be around 114,000 tons higher in 2010, at 10.3 million tons, compared to the previous forecast. Global natural rubber production is forecast to rise by 6.1 percent to 10.25 million tons in 2010 and by an additional 7.3 percent to 11.0 million tons in 2011.