As we move into Q2 2026, the disposable glove market remains stable from a demand perspective, but increasingly volatile from a cost standpoint. As outlined in our Q2 market update, glove usage across healthcare, industrial, foodservice, and janitorial sectors continues to be resilient. However, pricing and availability are now being shaped by a convergence of geopolitical conflict, logistics disruption, and raw material volatility.

The most significant cost driver continues to be the constraints in the supply of oil. Both nitrile and vinyl disposable gloves rely heavily on oil-derived synthetic materials during production. Ongoing geopolitical conflict has disrupted global oil supply, particularly in Asia, where most glove raw materials are refined. These disruptions are constraining availability and driving higher costs for Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), the primary components used in nitrile and vinyl gloves. Read more in our Q2 Market Update.

What does this mean for buyers?

Even if geopolitical tensions ease in the near term, cumulative landed costs, raw materials, duties, international freight, and domestic transportation, are likely to rise. This dynamic is expected to create pricing pressure during replenishment cycles throughout the year.

At AMMEX, we continue to actively manage sourcing, inspection, and logistics to ensure supply continuity for our customers. As the market evolves, proactive planning and trusted partners remain essential.

 

 

When it comes to superior hand protection, automotive professionals have trusted Gloveworks® Nitrile Gloves with Raised Diamond Texture (RDT) for more than a decade. These gloves deliver the durability, grip, and chemical resistance technicians need in real-world shop conditions. 

Here are three key things to keep in mind when choosing the best hand protection for automotive work. 

1. Automotive Work Is Evolving—Your Protection Should Too

Modern vehicles are more advanced than ever. Diagnostics rely on sophisticated computer systems, and technicians today must navigate a wider range of specialties than in years past. 

But one thing hasn’t changed: under the hood, the job is still dirty, demanding, and potentially dangerous. Whether you’re dealing with tight engine compartments, scorching components, or unpredictable messes, your hands are on the front lines every day. 

That’s why glove quality matters—and why the right glove can make your job safer, cleaner, and more efficient. 

2. The Chemicals in the Shop Are No Joke

Many common automotive fluids—like brake fluid, coolant, transmission fluid, and motor oil—are toxic and can be harmful with repeated skin exposure. Body shops add even more hazards to the mix, including Isocyanates, solvents such as toluene and xylene, and heavy metals like lead, chromium, and cadmium. 

Because of this, gloves are rapidly becoming standard across the industry. But remember, not all gloves provide the same level of protection. 

Start by considering which chemicals and tasks your team
encounters most. Then review the AMMEX Chemical Resistance Chart
to ensure the glove material you choose can stand up to the
substances you handle most often. The right glove doesn’t
just protect—it helps you work with confidence.

3. Gloves Reduce Hand Injuries—Significantly

More than 100,000 workplace hand injuries occur every year, according to the BLS. Studies show that simply wearing gloves dramatically reduces that risk. 

Some techs still debate whether gloves are necessary—but when you consider daily exposure to sharp metal, scorching surfaces, caustic chemicals, and grime, the real question becomes: why not protect your hands? 

Preventing cuts, burns, and chemical exposure isn’t just good
safety practice, but also prolongs the career of every technician.

Upgrade to RDT Nitrile Gloves—Your Hands Will Thank You 

If you haven’t tried Gloveworks® RDT nitrile gloves, now’s the time. With unmatched grip, top-tier chemical resistance, and exceptional durability, they’re designed to perform in the toughest shop environments. 

Once you experience the difference, you may never want anything else. 

In the disposable glove industry, compliance is often not mentioned until something goes wrong. A shipment gets delayed, a factory shuts down, and suddenly it all becomes urgent.

At AMMEX, compliance is a priority because it protects our customers. By proactively incorporating compliance into our core operations, we identify potential issues early and resolve them before they impact our customers.  

We have a robust Compliance Program that combines ethical sourcing policies, processes and audits. AMMEX combines extensive controls of a vertically integrated supplier and allows for flexible, multi-source production. Our Compliance Program effectively reduces compliance risk and protects you from the cost of product delays caused by addressing these issues. 

We import thousands of containers each year, and our goal is simple: you receive compliant, reliable products. If a shipment were ever held up, and anyone who’s experienced this knows how costly it can be, our redundant sourcing allows us to keep fulfilling orders while we resolve the issue. Customers appreciate that we shoulder the risk, so they don’t have to. 

Three Ways AMMEX Compliance Reduces Potential Risk  

1. Shipments that stay on track.

Some disposable gloves may come with compliance risks, increasing the chances that your shipment could get delayed. Our program combines extensive controls of a vertically integrated supplier and allows for multi-source production protecting you from the cost of product delays caused by addressing compliance issues. 

2. Strong supply chain policies.

AMMEX puts a focus on responsible sourcing requiring all our suppliers to comply with local and international regulations creating better working conditions and high-quality products. 

3. Reliable long-term partnerships.

We utilize both an internal and SMETA audit to proactively identify issues and solve them together with our production teams to deliver quality products to you. You can trust AMMEX to ensure your gloves are produced to industry standards.

Compliant and Committed to Ethical Sourcing 

AMMEX is a member of SEDEX, a global organization that helps companies build socially and environmentally responsible supply chains. We require our suppliers to join SEDEX as well and to operate ethically managed factories. 

We also use SMETA audits, the most widely adopted social audit format in the world, to assess working conditions and ensure our suppliers meet ethical and legal standards. These audits help confirm that our partners deliver high-quality, compliant products. 

Our commitment to compliance reflects our commitment to safety, quality, and social responsibility. It ensures consistent products, ethical sourcing, and confidence for everyone—from manufacturers to distributors to end users. 

AMMEX® The Right Glove for The Job™ 

Struggling to keep your hands dry when using disposable gloves? Heat and moisture buildup inside disposable gloves can slow you down. When the work gets tough, your gear needs to keep up. Gloveworks ULTRA™ Industrial Orange Flock Lined Nitrile Gloves are engineered for professionals who need disposable gloves with durability, comfort, and uncompromised grip—no matter the conditions.

Built for demanding industrial environments, ULTRA gloves deliver:

• 8-mil nitrile for rugged, reliable protection
• Raised Diamond Texture (RDT) with 60% more surface area for unbeatable grip—even with oil, water, or chemicals
• High-visibility orange for added safety in low-light settings

Beat Heat & Moisture Buildup

Extended wear often means sweaty, uncomfortable hands. ULTRA gloves solve this with a moisture-absorbing flock lining designed to keep you comfortable and in control:

• Flocked interior absorbs sweat to keep hands dry
• RDT channels airflow to reduce heat
• Combined technologies minimize sweat, slipping, and hand fatigue

Grip That Works as Hard as You Do

Gloveworks’ signature RDT offers superior handling and precision:

• Pushes liquids away from the palm instead of trapping them
• Maintains high‑friction grip in wet or dry environments
• Improves control when working with tools, machinery, or slippery materials

Built for the Toughest Jobs

From moisture control to exceptional grip and strength, Gloveworks ULTRA™ is designed for professionals who demand more from their gloves. If you need comfort, control, and performance under pressure, ULTRA is the upgrade you’ve been waiting for.

With the impact of tariffs working through the market and logistics costs staying dynamic, the disposable glove industry is facing ongoing challenges. At the same time, the demand is still strong, especially in healthcare and industrial sectors. So, what should buyers be thinking about right now?

In our Q1 2026 Market Update, we cover:

• The shift in global production (hint: Southeast Asia is on the rise)
• How to handle price volatility and supply risks
• Importance of choosing suppliers who deliver, even when things get tough

And of course, we highlight how AMMEX’s commitment to quality and service makes all the difference. Ready to stay informed and prepared? Dive into the full market update for all the details and expert advice.

Happy New Year to you all! 2026 is shaping up to be a wild ride for the disposable glove market. Tariffs on Chinese exam gloves are about to jump to a whopping 120%, and global supply chains are shifting fast. If you’re wondering what this means for your business, you’re not alone. 

Our latest Q1 2026 market update breaks down the big changes: 

• • Pricing dynamics in the first half of the year 
  • How raw material and shipping costs are impacting the market 
  • What buyers can do to manage supply risks and cost volatility 

Plus, we share how AMMEX is keeping fill rates high and quality top-notch, no matter what the market throws our way. Check out the complete Q1 2026 Market Update and get ahead of the curve! 

As we look back at 2025, it is easy to surmise that the US disposable glove market has been volatile but resilient, driven by strong demand across healthcare, industrial, and personal care sectors despite economic headwinds and the impact of tariffs on imports.

Global consumption of nitrile gloves, the most popular material, has surpassed 400 billion gloves, with Southeast Asia continuing to supply over 80% of the worldwide output. At the same time, the US domestic production remains minimal due to high production costs and scalability challenges.

Overall, tariffs, logistics, and supply chain have impacted the 2025 disposable glove market in ways rarely seen before.  Despite pricing pressures, demand remains resilient, and the need for disposable gloves continues to grow.

Tariff Impact

Sweeping U.S. tariffs on imported gloves have had a substantial impact on sourcing. Since their introduction earlier in 2025, import tariffs on disposable gloves now range between 19% and 70%, with Chinese disposable gloves facing an additional 50% hike on January 1st, 2026.

These tariffs have shifted demand toward Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia), while Chinese suppliers have lost competitiveness in the US market.

Pricing Trends

Naturally, prices on disposable gloves are rising due to several factors. Outside of tariffs, higher raw material costs (especially NBR for nitrile gloves), increased logistics costs from port congestion, container shortages, and energy price volatility all contributed to price impacts in 2025. Spot orders and short-term sourcing continue to be risky; strategic sourcing and long-term contracts are recommended.

Logistics & Supply Chain

Shipping lanes from Southeast Asia to the U.S. were subject to volatile freight rates in 2025. US domestic freight costs are rising due to labor shortages and compliance costs. Environmental regulations on shipping have slowly been further adding to cost pressures.

Demand Outlook

Despite all the dynamic challenges outlined above, demand for disposable gloves remains steady and recession-resistant, especially in healthcare and industrial sectors. Buyers are advised to plan and maintain strong supplier relationships to mitigate risk.

Throughout 2025, AMMEX continued to proactively work to mitigate the impact of market conditions on our partners. Looking forward, we will continue to evaluate the market and update our partners on any changes in market conditions.

Disposable gloves are a frontline defense in countless industries from healthcare and food service to automotive and janitorial work. They protect workers from harmful substances and prevent contamination of products and environments. But here’s the catch: gloves only work if they’re used correctly. Improper donning (putting on) and doffing (taking off) can compromise safety, leading to contamination, infection, or chemical exposure.

The Risks of Getting It Wrong

When gloves are donned incorrectly, contaminants can transfer from hands to the glove’s exterior. Similarly, improper removal can expose your skin to hazardous substances lingering on the glove surface. According to CDC guidelines, the outside of gloves should always be considered contaminated, and touching them with bare hands during removal is a major risk factor for self-contamination.

Best Practices for Donning Gloves

1. Start Clean: Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before putting on gloves. Remove any jewelry that could tear the material.
2. Inspect Before Use: Check for pinholes, tears, or defects. Even a small breach can allow harmful substances through.
3. Avoid Touching the Outside: Handle gloves by the cuff and only touch the inside during donning. This minimizes contamination risk.
4. Ensure Proper Fit: Gloves should fit snugly without overstretching, which can cause tears.

Safe Doffing Techniques

• Peel, Don’t Pull: Grasp the outside of one glove near the wrist and peel it away, turning it inside out. Hold it in the gloved hand.
• Slide Under the Cuff: With your ungloved hand, slide fingers under the remaining glove at the wrist and peel it off over the first glove, creating a “bag” for both. Discard immediately in an appropriate container.
• Finish with Hand Hygiene: Always wash your hands after glove removal to eliminate any residual contamination.

Check out our donning and doffing flyer for more information.

Why It Matters for Your Business

Proper glove use isn’t just about compliance—it’s about protecting your team, your customers, and your brand. A single lapse can lead to cross-contamination, product recalls, or even workplace injuries. Training staff on correct donning and doffing procedures is a small investment with a big payoff in safety and trust.

Gloves are a critical barrier, but they’re not foolproof. Their effectiveness depends on how you use them. By following best practices for donning and doffing, you ensure maximum protection for everyone involved.