North America Gloves Market Size, Share, and Trends Analysis Report – Industry Overview and Forecast to 2032

North America Gloves Market Size

• The North America gloves market size was valued at USD 14.63 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 30.46 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 9.60% during the forecast period
• The market growth is largely fueled by the increasing focus on hygiene and safety across various sectors, including healthcare, food processing, and industrial settings, leading to a surge in demand for disposable and durable gloves in North America. Heightened awareness post-COVID-19 has further reinforced the necessity of gloves as essential personal protective equipment (PPE), driving widespread adoption in both medical and non-medical environments
• Furthermore, rising consumer demand for skin-friendly, puncture-resistant, and eco-friendly glove solutions is prompting manufacturers to invest in advanced material technologies such as nitrile, latex-free, and biodegradable alternatives. These converging factors are accelerating the uptake of innovative glove solutions, thereby significantly boosting the growth of the North America Gloves Market across both public and private sectors

North America Gloves Market Analysis

• Gloves, serving as essential protective equipment across medical, industrial, and commercial sectors, are increasingly indispensable in ensuring hygiene, safety, and infection prevention—particularly in healthcare, food processing, and manufacturing environments
• The rising demand for gloves is largely fueled by heightened health awareness post-COVID-19, stringent safety regulations, and growing concerns over cross-contamination and occupational hazards
• U.S. dominated the North America gloves market, with 79.4% in 2024, driven by high healthcare expenditure, a strong focus on infection control, and a well-established industrial infrastructure. The presence of stringent regulatory standards, government mandates on personal protective equipment (PPE), and a high volume of medical procedures requiring disposable gloves further bolster market growth
• Mexico is expected to witness the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the North America gloves market, fueled by rapid industrialization, expanding healthcare access, and increasing glove exports. Favorable trade agreements under USMCA and cost-effective manufacturing conditions are making Mexico a key hub for production and market expansion
• The disposable segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 72.4% in 2024, attributed to the growing need for hygiene, especially in healthcare and food industries

Report Scope and North America Gloves Market Segmentation       

North America Gloves Market Trends

“Increased Demand Driven by Safety Regulations and Industrial Expansion”

• A significant and accelerating trend in the North America gloves market is the rising demand for personal protective equipment (PPE), especially gloves, across healthcare, manufacturing, food processing, and construction industries. This demand is propelled by stringent occupational safety regulations and a heightened focus on hygiene and worker protection For instance, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) continues to enforce regulations mandating the use of protective gloves in environments exposed to chemical, biological, thermal, and mechanical hazards, fostering steady market growth
• Disposable gloves—especially nitrile and latex—are seeing increasing use in medical and foodservice settings due to their tactile sensitivity, comfort, and barrier protection. Reusable gloves, such as those made from leather, Kevlar, and neoprene, are in high demand for industrial applications due to their durability and resistance to abrasions and chemicals
• Market participants are expanding product lines with innovations such as cut-resistant, puncture-proof, and heat-insulated gloves to meet the varied demands of industries like metal fabrication, electronics, and fire safety. This diversification is helping companies gain a competitive edge and cater to evolving user needs
• Furthermore, the growing awareness of worker safety, supported by public and private safety initiatives, is boosting the adoption of high-performance gloves in North America. Several manufacturers are integrating ergonomic designs and eco-friendly materials into gloves to meet sustainability goals and increase user comfort
• The increasing adoption of automation and industrial digitization is also driving the need for gloves that provide precision handling and touchscreen compatibility—particularly in electronics, healthcare diagnostics, and lab research—further expanding the utility of specialized glove segments

North America Gloves Market Dynamics

Driver

“Growing Need Due to Rising Health and Safety Awareness Across Industries”

• The increasing emphasis on hygiene, infection control, and workplace safety across healthcare, food processing, manufacturing, and other industrial sectors is a significant driver for the heightened demand for gloves in North America
  • For instance, in May 2024, Medline Industries expanded its glove production capabilities in the U.S. to meet the rising demand from hospitals and long-term care facilities. This strategic move by key players highlights the urgent need for personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly in the wake of heightened health vigilance
• As awareness of infectious diseases and occupational hazards grows, both disposable and reusable gloves are being adopted at a higher rate, not only in clinical settings but also across janitorial, automotive, and chemical handling applications
• Furthermore, the rise in food delivery services, increased sanitation standards in restaurants, and enhanced health codes have driven glove usage in food handling and hospitality sectors
• The demand is further propelled by government regulations mandating PPE usage in various industries and the increasing availability of specialized gloves tailored to sector-specific needs, such as chemical-resistant or powder-free nitrile gloves

Restraint/Challenge

“Volatility in Raw Material Prices and Environmental Concerns”

• One of the major challenges hampering the North America gloves market is the fluctuating cost of raw materials such as latex, nitrile, and vinyl, which significantly impact the pricing and profit margins of glove manufacturers. These fluctuations are often tied to geopolitical instability, supply chain constraints, or natural rubber production variability in exporting countries
  • For instance, during the first half of 2024, the price of nitrile surged due to inceased demand and restricted imports, causing several mid-sized manufacturers to experience cost pressures
• In addition, environmental concerns related to the disposal of single-use gloves—particularly non-biodegradable types—are attracting scrutiny from both regulators and environmentally conscious consumers. The accumulation of plastic-based gloves in landfills has raised questions about the sustainability of current production and usage practices
• While many manufacturers are now investing in eco-friendly glove alternatives and recyclable packaging, the higher production cost of such sustainable materials remains a barrier to large-scale adoption
• Overcoming these challenges will require innovations in biodegradable materials, increased investment in local manufacturing to reduce import dependence, and a regulatory push toward environmentally responsible usage and disposal of gloves

North America Gloves Market Scope

The market is segmented on the basis of product type, type, application, end user, and distribution channel:

• By Product Type

On the basis of product type, the North America gloves market is segmented into nitrile gloves, latex gloves, vinyl gloves, puncture resistant gloves, polyethylene gloves, cotton fabric gloves, butyl gloves, aluminized gloves, neoprene gloves, kevlar gloves, leather gloves, and others. Among these, nitrile gloves accounted for the largest market share of 38.6% in 2024, driven by their superior puncture resistance, hypoallergenic properties, and growing use in medical and industrial settings.

Vinyl Gloves are expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 8.1% from 2025 to 2032, owing to their affordability and increasing use in food handling and low-risk medical applications.

• By Type

On the basis of type, the North America gloves market is divided into disposable and reusable. The disposable gloves segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 72.4% in 2024, attributed to the growing need for hygiene, especially in healthcare and food industries.

The reusable gloves segment is expected to witness the fastest CAGR from 2025 to 2032, due to rising demand in industrial, construction, and manufacturing environments, where durability and protection are paramount.

• By Application

On basis of application, the North America gloves market is segmented into biological, chemical, mechanical, thermal, anti-static, and others. The biological segment captured the largest share of 34.2% in 2024, owing to heightened usage in healthcare and life sciences.

The mechanical application segment is expected to witness the fastest CAGR from 2025 to 2032, driven by increased adoption in construction and industrial sectors requiring high tensile strength and cut resistance.

• By End User

On the basis of end user, the North America gloves market is segmented into medical and healthcare, food and beverage, fire protection, construction, manufacturing industries, metal fabrication, electronics, and others. The medical and healthcare segment held the largest market share of 45.8% in 2024, due to stringent hygiene protocols and the impact of infectious diseases.

The construction segment is expected to witness the fastest CAGR from 2025 to 2032, fueled by rising infrastructure development across North America and the need for hand protection from abrasions and chemicals.

• By Distribution Channel

By distribution channel, the North America gloves market is segmented into online, offline, and others. The offline channel dominated the market in 2024 with 61.7% revenue share, supported by direct procurement from industrial distributors and physical retail outlets.

However, the Online segment is projected to register the fastest growth from 2025 to 2032, due to the increasing shift toward e-commerce, better product availability, and price comparisons by end users.

North America Gloves Market Regional Analysis

• North America dominated the North America gloves market with the largest revenue share of 38.65% in 2024, driven by growing demand for personal protective equipment (PPE), especially in healthcare, manufacturing, and food processing sectors
• Consumers and institutions in the region place high value on safety standards, infection control, and regulatory compliance, fueling the widespread adoption of disposable and reusable gloves in medical and industrial settings
• This extensive adoption is further supported by strong government regulations, a well-established healthcare infrastructure, and the presence of key market players focusing on both innovation and production expansion to meet demand

U.S. North America Gloves Market Insight

The U.S. gloves market captured the largest revenue share of 79.4% in 2024 within North America, owing to its leading position in healthcare expenditure, stringent occupational safety mandates, and a well-developed manufacturing base. The U.S. market is driven by consistent demand from hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and industrial sectors. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent health awareness have permanently shifted consumer and institutional behaviors toward prioritizing PPE, especially gloves. Leading domestic companies are investing in expanding local glove production and R&D for biodegradable and sustainable glove solutions, addressing both demand and environmental concerns.

Canada North America Gloves Market Insight

The Canada gloves market is expected to grow at a noteworthy CAGR during the forecast period, driven by rising healthcare awareness, aging population, and expanding applications in food services, cleaning, and industrial sectors. Health Canada’s regulations regarding infection control in clinical and caregiving settings, combined with heightened post-pandemic hygiene standards, are contributing to sustained glove demand across sectors. Moreover, increasing efforts to localize glove production and introduce eco-friendly glove variants are opening new avenues for market expansion in Canada.

Mexico North America Gloves Market Insight

The Mexico gloves market is projected to grow at a considerable CAGR during the forecast period, fueled by industrialization, increasing healthcare infrastructure investments, and regulatory alignment with North American health standards. Demand for gloves in the manufacturing, food processing, and medical tourism sectors is rising rapidly, making Mexico a key growth frontier in the region.In addition, Mexico's strategic role in supply chains, particularly as a nearshore manufacturing hub for PPE products including gloves, positions it for accelerated market penetration and export potential

North America Gloves Market Share

The North America gloves market industry is primarily led by well-established companies, including:

• Tenacious Holdings, Inc. (U.S.)
• MCR Safety (U.S.)
• Cardinal Health (U.S.)
• Lakeland Inc. (U.S.)
• Shamrock Manufacturing Co. Inc. (U.S.)
• VIP GLOVE SDN BHD (Malaysia)
• Midas Safety (Malaysia)
• Superior Glove (Canada)
• Hartalega Holdings (Malaysia)
• Rubberex Corporation (M) Berhad (Malaysia)
• 3M (U.S.)
• Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. (U.S.)
• ANSELL LTD. (Australia)
• Honeywell International Inc. (U.S.)
• DuPont de Nemours Inc. (U.S.)
• Top Glove Corporation Bhd (Malaysia)
• Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd (Malaysia)
• Comfort Rubber Gloves Industries Sdn Bhd (Malaysia)
• DELTA PLUS (France)

Latest Developments in North America Gloves Market

• In June 2024, Indian disposable glove manufacturers announced plans to expand into the U.S. market, aiming to capitalize on ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions. This strategic shift, reported by the Times of India, is expected to intensify competition in the North America Gloves Market by offering cost-effective alternatives to domestic supply, particularly in the disposable and examination glove segments
• In May 2024, several glove industry stakeholders shared key developments through the Gloves Market News Facebook platform, showcasing new product launches, rising demand trends, and supply chain adjustments in North America. The increased engagement from both consumers and industry professionals reflects growing market awareness and evolving buyer preferences across industrial and medical glove categories
• In April 2024, The Business Times highlighted continued momentum in the global gloves industry, with particular focus on how North American suppliers are enhancing their operations to meet dynamic demand shifts. The report noted a surge in investment toward sustainable materials and diversified product lines, particularly in nitrile and hybrid gloves, to support both healthcare and industrial end users

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