U.S. Market for Medical Exam Gloves Growing Steadily
By Colin Tam
The market for disposable medical exam gloves is expected to reach over $1.2 billion by 2006, up from $1.0 billion in 1999, as shown in Frost & Sullivan's new report, U.S. Disposable Medical Exam Glove Markets. This represents an annual growth rate of 2 to 3%.
Manufacturers are supplying more powder-free exam gloves to meet growing demand due to latex sensitivity. As healthcare workers become more conscious about latex sensitivity, the demand for non-latex exam gloves is expected to increase. To meet this increasing demand, non-vinyl and non-nitrile polymers are expected to enter the market beginning in 2000. As a result, both vinyl and nitrile exam gloves are expected to have slower growth sometime after 2002.
Regulatory Issues
The FDA is proposing to have manufacturers disclose the level of allergy-related proteins and amount of powder in their medical gloves. The FDA may also reclassify medical gloves to Class II devices, which would mean that gloves would be manufactured under stricter conditions and manufacturers would be required to submit more documentation to the FDA for review.
Market Trends
The trend towards alternate care sites presents special challenges to medical glove manufacturers. Marketers must be able to supply a smaller volume of products to more locations. They need to have the sales and logistical ability to reach all their possible physician sites. This type of distribution structure is more costly and creates an enormous challenge for manufacturers.
Technology Trends
Additionally, more manufacturers are coming out with polymer-coated powder-free gloves. Rather than chlorinating the gloves to remove the powder, manufacturers are using a new process that "poly-coats" the gloves.
Another new process is the powder-free coagulant, which also keeps the glove from being chlorinated. When gloves are dipped in coagulant to help reduce pinholes, they are often chlorinated to remove the powder from the coagulant. Some healthcare professionals believe that the chlorination of the latex glove can cause allergic reactions as well. Thus, more end-users are moving towards non-chlorinated gloves.
Maxxim Medical has developed a new polymer called Intacta, which will be marketed under the brand name SensiCare Advantix. Intacta is a new synthetic material that does not contain vinyl or nitrile. It is a water-based material that contains no protein. Developed in conjunction with Dow Chemical, this polymer provides excellent tactile sensitivity, elongation, and tensile properties. Intacta has no odor, which is a big issue in the dental market.
Collin Tam is a Medical Device Industry Analyst for Frost & Sullivan's healthcare group. He can be reached for comment via email: ctam@frost.com, or phone: 650-237-4513.
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