Contact Customer Service  |  1-800-274-7354 | Join Our Team
Contact Customer Service  |  1-800-274-7354 | Join Our Team

Category: Janitorial & Sanitation

Posted on

2025 in Review: Market Summary – Disposable Gloves

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.

Posted on

Why Proper Donning and Doffing of Disposable Gloves Matters

Donning and Doffing of Disposable Gloves

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.

Posted on

Experience the AMMEX End User Glove Trial Program

Glove Trial

Selecting the right disposable glove is crucial for safety, comfort, and productivity—but it’s often harder than it should be. AMMEX understands that every workplace has unique needs, which is why we launched the End User Trial Program. This initiative gives organizations a chance to test up to 10 cases of AMMEX gloves for 30 days, completely free of charge.

If your team isn’t currently using AMMEX gloves and typically purchases more than one case per month, you’re eligible to participate. The process is simple and designed to save you time: just fill out a quick online form, and our glove experts will recommend the best options for your specific tasks and environment. Once approved, you’ll receive your gloves and have a full month to evaluate them in your actual work setting.

How Does the Trial Work?

  1. Sign Up: Complete a brief online form, sharing details about glove usage, current supplier, and industry.
  2. Qualification: The AMMEX team will review the request, verify eligibility, and recommend the best glove options using a decision tree based on industry and use case.
  3. Shipment: Approved requests will receive up to 10 cases of gloves, which can be split between different products but must be of the same size per case.
  4. Evaluation: Teams use the gloves for 30 days, testing them in actual work conditions.

During the trial, your team can assess comfort, grip, durability, and overall performance in real-world conditions. This hands-on experience helps you make an informed decision, eliminating the guesswork and reducing wasted spend on gloves that don’t fit your needs. At the end of the 30 days, you’ll share your feedback and decide if AMMEX is the right fit for your operation—no risk, no obligation.

The End User Trial Program is designed to empower organizations to upgrade their hand protection confidently. Whether you work in food service, janitorial, automotive, or industrial safety, AMMEX offers tailored solutions to keep your team safe and productive.

Ready to stop guessing and start testing? Join the AMMEX End User Trial Program today and discover why so many businesses trust AMMEX for their disposable hand protection needs.

Check out our previous blog post about the program.

Posted on

Experience the ULTRA Difference: Gloveworks ULTRA™ Disposable Gloves

In the world of industrial hand protection, comfort and performance rarely go hand in hand—until now. Introducing Gloveworks ULTRA™, the latest innovation from AMMEX that redefines what it means to work hard and stay comfortable.

Why ULTRA? Because Your Hands Deserve Better.

Whether you’re turning wrenches in a mechanic’s bay or handling machinery on the production floor, sweaty hands and poor grip can slow you down. Gloveworks ULTRA™ is engineered to solve that problem with a powerful combination of sweat management and grip-enhancing technology.

Key Features That Set ULTRA Apart

  • Flock-Lined Interior: A soft, moisture-absorbing lining keeps hands cool and dry, even during extended wear.
  • Raised Diamond Texture (RDT): With 60% more surface area, RDT channels away liquids and provides a superior grip in wet or dry conditions.
  • Heavy-Duty Nitrile: At 6-mil thickness, ULTRA offers robust protection against punctures, rips, and chemical exposure.
  • High Visibility: The industrial orange color ensures your hands are easy to see—even in low-light environments.
  • Powder-Free & Latex-Free: Ideal for users with sensitivities and approved for food use.

Who Is It For?

ULTRA is built for professionals who demand more from their gloves:

  • Automotive and industrial technicians
  • Installers and machine shop workers
  • Municipal and fleet service teams
  • Anyone who needs durability, grip, and comfort in one glove

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ What Customers Are Saying ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Real users are raving about Gloveworks® ULTRA™ here’s what they had to say:

“This is my first flock-lined disposable, and I doubt I can go back.”
“Helps with hand sweating and makes it easier to pull the gloves on.”
“They come in real handy for a lot of cleaning and greasy work.”
“All in all, I really like these gloves and will be getting more when this box runs out!”
“Especially in hot humid weather, these gloves make a huge difference.”

With ULTRA, you’re not just getting a glove, you’re getting the backing of AMMEX’s four pillars: Fill Rates, Quality Control, Compliance, and Service. That means reliable supply, consistent quality, and support you can count on.

Check out our previous post Gloveworks ULTRA™ Adds a New Layer of Comfort for Automotive Workers.

Visit gloveworks.com/ultra for more information.

Posted on

Stop Guessing. Find the Right Disposable Glove with a No-cost Trial.

Glove Trial

Choosing disposable gloves shouldn’t require guesswork or a pile of half‑used boxes that didn’t work out. Tasks vary, hands sweat, chemicals differ, and not all textures grip the same. The result? Wasted spend, frustrated teams, and inconsistent protection.

That’s why AMMEX built the 30‑Day Glove Trial Program: a no‑cost, try‑before‑you‑buy experience that lets you test the right gloves in your environment before you commit. You’ll get tailored product recommendations (Good/Better/Best) for your specific use case, then evaluate them with your team in real work—no guessing required.

How the AMMEX Glove Trial Works

Sign Up Online – Apply in minutes at https://info.ammex.com/glovetrial-public

Receive Free Gloves – Get up to 10 cases of disposable gloves shipped at no cost.

Experience the Difference – Use AMMEX gloves for 30 days, then connect with a distributor for ongoing supply.

Why AMMEX Disposable Gloves

Choosing AMMEX means choosing confidence. When you try our gloves, you’re not just testing a product, you’re experiencing a brand built on quality, consistency, and meaningful innovation. Every glove we make is engineered to solve real-world problems like grip in wet or oily conditions, durability under torque, and all‑day comfort that encourages people to keep their gloves on. The AMMEX 30‑Day Glove Trial removes the guesswork and the risk by letting your team evaluate the right options in real world applications.

Our glove experts will help match material, thickness, and texture to your tasks, then follow through with dependable supply and expert support. When the trial ends, you’ll have clear feedback from your team and a straightforward path to ongoing supply through our distributor network so your operation can move from “let’s test it” to “this is the glove we trust” with confidence.

Ready to start your free glove trial?

Visit https://info.ammex.com/glovetrial-public and discover why AMMEX is the leader in disposable hand protection.

Check out our previous blog post: Serving Customers: It’s What We Do

Posted on

How AMMEX Supports Buyers in a Volatile Glove Market

How AMMEX Helps Glove Buyers Succeed in a Volatile Glove Market

In today’s unpredictable disposable glove market, businesses need more than just a product; they need a reliable partner. AMMEX has spent over 36 years building the systems and expertise to help customers thrive, even in challenging conditions covered in our Q3 2025 Market Update.

The global glove market remains healthy, but tariff-related disruptions in shipping and pricing are likely to be a source of concern for many buyers.

AMMEX mitigates these risks with a glove-only focus that ensures exceptional service and reliability. With fill rates over 98%, AMMEX consistently delivers the disposable glove products customers need, even as others may struggle with shortages.

Quality is another cornerstone at AMMEX. Our dedicated on-the-ground inspection teams in Asia personally inspect 100% of outgoing shipments, ensuring glove specification standards – consistency, safety, and performance. That proactive approach minimizes quality issues and keeps businesses confident with quality in every box they open.

High compliance standards are often overlooked until it’s too late, but not at AMMEX. We enforce robust sourcing standards backed by third-party audits and detailed documentation. We help clients meet regulatory and ethical requirements and mitigate any potential issues.

Most importantly, AMMEX continues to build on its deep industry expertise and transparency. By setting clear expectations and offering insights based on market trends, we empower our customers to plan, minimize disruption, and stay competitive.

As tariff uncertainties, market pressures, and logistical issues persist into late 2025, contact AMMEX. We are always ready to share our expertise and will work hard to be your trusted partner. Whether you’re in healthcare, food service, industrial, or automotive, we’re committed to helping you get the right glove for the job—every time.

Check out our previous post about the Q3 Market Update here.

Posted on

Q3 2025 Disposable Glove Market Update: What Buyers Need to Know

Q3 2025 Disposable Glove Market Update: What Buyers Need to Know

In Q3 2025, the disposable glove market continues to face a mix of steady demand and disruptive challenges. As we discussed in our Q3 Market Update, industry buyers should prepare for potential price fluctuations, mainly due to the impact of tariffs.

While global production capacity, especially in Malaysia and Thailand, remains strong, longer lead times were common in Q2 due to companies trying to get ahead of the tariff-related uncertainty. That could recur in Q3 as some tariffs have been pushed to August, and negotiations on deals for specific countries are likely to continue.

Synthetic rubber prices will likely remain relatively volatile due to spikes in oil prices and overall inflation in energy costs, potentially leading to higher disposable glove production costs. We also continue to see demand for vinyl gloves in the US market.

Geopolitical uncertainty surrounding tariffs adds further complexity. Until more clarity emerges, buyers should expect pricing instability and plan accordingly.

In this environment, sourcing partners offering transparency, high fill rates, and supply chain resilience are critical.  For disposable glove buyers, success in Q3 and beyond will depend on aligning with suppliers prioritizing quality, compliance, and dependable logistics. As market pressures continue, strategic planning and agile sourcing will make all the difference in keeping operations running smoothly.

Posted on

5 Key Reasons to Use Lightweight Nitrile Gloves Instead of Vinyl

Glove comparison chart.

Most vinyl gloves are made in China, and tariffs have made those much more expensive.  Now may be a time to shift from vinyl disposable gloves to lightweight nitrile.  Nitrile offers several advantages: performance, safety, environmental impact, and user comfort.

Here’s an outline of the five key benefits:

1. Enhanced Protection and Performance

Nitrile gloves are more resistant to a wider range of chemicals, oils, and solvents than vinyl gloves. They are also more puncture-resistant than vinyl gloves, improving durability and protection.

2. Improved Comfort and Fit

Nitrile conforms more closely to the hand, providing a snug, comfortable fit and greater dexterity compared to gloves of similar thickness. The ergonomic fit of lightweight nitrile gloves helps minimize strain during extended use. Like vinyl, nitrile is latex-free but without the associated loss of stretch and comfort seen in vinyl.

3. Sustainability

Lightweight nitrile gloves are more durable and longer-lasting than vinyl gloves, which may require frequent changes and more gloves to complete the same task. Nitrile also has better aging properties than vinyl, reducing product waste from expired stock.

4. Regulatory and Industry Compliance

Nitrile gloves meet more stringent standards (e.g., ASTM, EN) for medical and industrial use and have fewer issues with chemical ingredients that are more common with vinyl.

5. Cost Efficiency Over Time

Nitrile gloves are more durable and reduce the need for frequent replacements, improving cost-effectiveness and sustainability. Nitrile gloves are suitable for a broader range of tasks, reducing the need for multiple glove types in one facility.

In sum, lightweight nitrile gloves offer a superior choice for hand protection. AMMEX provides a broad range of options in lightweight nitrile, such as X3 Industrial Blue or Black Nitrile Gloves and AMMEX Professional Exam Blue Nitrile gloves.

Check out our previous post about the benefits of lightweight nitrile here.

Posted on

Q2 Market Update: Tariffs and Production Costs

Q2 Market Update: Production Costs

Third in a series

Our Q2 Market Update covers the potential impact of tariffs, but we were never under any illusion that it would age well with all the rapid news and changes.  As of mid-May, while many reciprocal tariffs remain on hold, last week, the US and China announced a reduction in tariffs, with US tariffs on China reduced to 30% for 90 days.

We expect the tariff news to continue and news around this topic to remain dynamic. However, when it comes to disposable gloves, many other factors that impact glove production costs continue to develop. Raw material costs remain the most significant expense category, accounting for a large portion of total disposable glove production costs.

Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), a primary component in nitrile gloves, could experience supply constraints due to production shifts out of China, maintenance at major chemical facilities, and increasing competition from the automotive and construction industries for nitrile-based gloves.

Meanwhile, manufacturing bottlenecks are appearing as production facilities are challenged with labor costs, rising energy costs, implementation of new quality control measures in the wake of regulatory changes, and technological transition challenges as manufacturers upgrade equipment.

Price volatility for natural rubber latex has decreased due to a balanced supply from Southeast Asian producers. NBR prices, however, remain elevated due to continued strong demand and petroleum price fluctuations. The price spread between natural latex and nitrile has narrowed compared with historical averages.

Another key variable is energy, which represents up to a growing portion of production costs and has significant regional variations. Among the cost factors are electricity prices, with manufacturing facilities in Southeast Asia facing 5-7% higher electricity costs compared with 2024.

What happens with tariffs will continue contributing to all the abovementioned factors. Besides the direct added cost, tariffs may also reshape the existing trade routes, leading raw materials, labor, and products to move in different ways in the future. Stay tuned for more updates.

Download our Q2 Disposable Glove Market Update.

Missed our first post of the series: Q2 Market Update: Tariffs Take Centerstage? Check it out here.

Missed our second post of the series: Q2 Market Update: Logistics Always a Factor? Check it out here.

Posted on

Disposable Gloves and Sustainability – What’s the Impact?

As disposable glove use has skyrocketed over the last three decades, evaluating sustainability options for them has become increasingly important, almost fashionable.

Of course, it would be interesting to imagine gloves that magically vanish after use or could be recycled on a grand scale.  There’s much conversation surrounding gloves’ biodegradability, recyclability, or compostability. However, at least for now, these efforts may be largely impractical. To summarize, here are some of the solutions that are often marketed as sustainable and that may border on greenwashing:

  • Biodegradable gloves are a nice idea, but most solutions do not meet proper biodegradability standards in states such as California.
  • Compostable gloves, even when they meet the requirements, often require specialized commercial composting facilities, which are not universally accessible.
  • Recycling gloves are frequently unfeasible due to limited availability, high cost, and contamination.

Even if some of these materials and practices were to become more feasible, more than 99% of gloves sold worldwide do not involve them. Their impact is just too small to measure.

The more immediate impact of improving the sustainability of disposable gloves is less about the “glamourous” promises of new materials and more about impacting the overall CO2 emissions during their production and transportation. Due to their peculiar supply chains, hundreds of billions of gloves are transported worldwide.

AMMEX – Commitment to Impact on Sustainability

Our focus is on measurable, reportable, and auditable environmental sustainability. By aligning reduction targets with climate science, we are concentrating efforts on reducing emissions. The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has approved AMMEX’s near-term science-based emissions-reduction target: We commit to a 42% reduction in our operational carbon emissions (from a 2022 baseline) by 2030.

We are committed to long-term measurement and review of our approach to sustainability. As always, efficiency in transporting disposable gloves will remain a priority, even without established benchmarks.

For more information, visit our website or download our sustainability report. By focusing on emissions within our supply chain—areas we can directly influence—and collaborating with our manufacturers to minimize their impact, AMMEX aims to drive a meaningful impact on disposable glove sustainability.