nirtile gloves in malaysia

Nitrile gloves: Your guide to choosing the best gloves in the market

Disposable gloves are a necessity for some professions. In addition to this, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a rise in demand for rubber gloves. These include latex and nitrile rubber gloves. According to Business Wire, the global market for rubber and medical gloves rose to $14.56 billion. Whether you are a medical professional or not, there are various reasons why you may require disposable gloves.

There are many types of disposable gloves available in the market. Nitrile gloves are one of them. Many people prefer using nitrile gloves because of their various properties. However, these gloves are not suitable in all circumstances. Latex gloves and PVC gloves are also alternatives. You can use them for many purposes.

Nitrile gloves find application in various professions and industries. These are not only strong but are also resistant to harsh chemicals. If you want to find out what nitrile gloves are and when you should buy them, this guide is for you.

Nitrile gloves vs. latex gloves: Which is better?

Nitrile is an organic compound, and nitrile gloves are made of synthetic material. In comparison, latex gloves are either made from natural material or synthetic materials. When it comes to strength and stretchability, nitrile gloves rank close to latex gloves. Nitrile gloves may lack the strength of latex gloves, but these are more durable than the latter. Also, nitrile gloves are comparatively less stretchable and flexible than latex gloves. However, nitrile gloves are more resistant to chemical compounds than latex. When it comes to the texture and feel of the rubber glove, the nitrile glove is similar to latex.

In comparison to latex gloves, nitrile gloves pose a lower risk for allergies. Nitrile gloves are a better alternative for people with skin allergies. Latex gloves may be sensitive for some skin types. Similar to latex gloves, nitrile gloves are available in powdered and powder-free varieties. 

Another advantage of nitrile gloves over latex gloves is that they have a longer shelf life. Nitrile gloves are known to be three times more puncture-resistant than latex gloves. 

Latex gloves have been in high demand for a long time. But nitrile gloves are replacing latex gloves in various industries. 

Tips for choosing the right nitrile glove

There are various options for rubber gloves in the market. Latex gloves are fairly common. However, PVC and neoprene gloves are also available. These gloves are classified into synthetic and natural gloves. 

Following are some factors you should consider when purchasing a nitrile glove:

  1. Purpose

You should know the purpose of choosing a nitrile glove. If you handle hazardous chemicals daily, then choose a nitrile glove. People in occupations such as the medical field, food industry, waste management, and others require rubber gloves daily. If you need gloves on a day-to-day basis, you should consider buying nitrile gloves. Otherwise, latex gloves are appropriate.

  1. Manufacturer

If you do not want to compromise on quality, choose the best nitrile gloves manufacturer in the market. Some of the renowned nitrile glove manufacturers are in Malaysia. Nitrile gloves in Malaysia are produced on a large scale. The reason is that the country has excess raw materials for the production of rubber gloves.

The following are a few of the nitrile gloves Malaysia manufacturers:

The company was founded about a year ago but has grown tremendously. Currently, the company manufactures nitrile gloves in Malaysia and supplies them to medical retailers in the USA and Brazil. Within a year the company has come to prominence and has obtained certificates for exporting its product to other countries.

Currently, the company manufactures powdered nitrile gloves as well as powder-free nitrile and latex gloves. All of these products adhere to industry standards. Tec Gloves aims to provide nitrile gloves for the medical field. Relatively a small company, Tec Gloves has become a prominent manufacturer and exporter of nitrile gloves in the country.

  • Hartalega

Hartalega is the world’s largest nitrile gloves manufacturer. The company has been operating since the late 80s and exports rubber gloves all over the world. Hence, it is one of the renowned gloves manufacturing companies in the world. Some estimates suggest that the company produces about 14 billion gloves annually. All of the products produced at the Hartalega factories are exported; most of these gloves are exported to the US. The company is known for producing excellent quality nitrile gloves.

  • Top Glove

Another known nitrile glove manufacturer and supplier is Top Glove. Their company provides medical nitrile gloves all over the world. The company has more than one-fourth share of the global rubber glove market. Also, the manufacturing company has over a hundred factories located in various locations.

  • Kossan

Among the top names of nitrile gloves manufacturers is Kossan. The rubber gloves mass-produced at Kossan have a market in the US, Europe, and Asia. It is one of the oldest rubber gloves producing companies in Malaysia. In addition to its factory in Malaysia, the company also has some factories located in China.

Apart from rubber gloves, the company also offers surgical equipment and personal protective equipment to its customers.

  • Smart Glove

The company has been operating for over twenty-five years. The company has markets in the US, Europe, and Asia. It produces rubber gloves and cleaning supplies for hospitals. Smart Glove ensures compliance with the standards when it comes to manufacturing rubber gloves. In addition to this, the company is known for investing in Research & Development. The company operates out of Malaysia and Indonesia.

  • TSL Latex Gloves

The company manufactures rubber gloves, including nitrile and rubber gloves in Malaysia. The company exports products to African countries as well as Asia. TSL focuses on providing rubber gloves and other products to medical centers, food industries, etc.

Most importantly, the company has been active for more than twenty-five years, making it an industry expert in rubber gloves.

  1. Type of nitrile glove

A typical nitrile gloves factory produces two types of gloves used for varying purposes. These include industrial nitrile gloves and examination nitrile gloves. The glove type you require depends on your job. 

Examination gloves are for medical purposes. Doctors and nurses may use these daily when inspecting patients or conducting blood tests. In such an instance, nitrile gloves are worn to prevent the spread of infections through contact. A nitrile examination gloves manufacturer must adhere to strict standards that ensure the quality of the gloves for their intended use. 

Industrial level nitrile gloves are for safely handling harsh chemicals and hazardous compounds. These types of gloves are used by the food industry, cleaning companies, etc. Industrial level nitrile gloves are categorized by their thickness. Since you do not require a high level of dexterity with gloves in the cleaning industry, industrial nitrile gloves are appropriate. 

  1. Size of the glove

The size of the glove is an essential aspect to consider if you want to use it daily. For instance, nitrile gloves in Malaysia may have a standard size as compared with other countries. The glove size may also differ from one manufacturer to another. 

  1. Thickness

Your occupation and other factors dictate the preferred thickness of the gloves. For medical professionals, thinner gloves are appropriate as it provides more grip and flexibility. Thicker gloves offer more protection against chemicals but reduce grip.

Nitrile gloves have varying thickness that ranges from 4 millimeters to 8 millimeters thickness. Industrial grade nitrile gloves are thicker, and you can find them in the range of 6 millimeters to 8 millimeters thickness. 

  1. Powdered or powder-free

Nitrile gloves come in powdered, powder-free, and slightly powder varieties. The powder is added to the gloves during the manufacturing process to pull the gloves from the mold. Powder-free gloves go through chlorination (or leaching) which removes the powder from the gloves. Powder-free gloves are also dipped in water and then dried thoroughly. 

Powdered gloves have cornstarch, which makes it easy to put them on and off. Cornstarch also prevents the gloves from sticking together. However, the powder may cause allergies in some people. For this reason, nitrile examination powder-free gloves are a better alternative for people with sensitive skin. In food industries, powder-free gloves are preferred since it reduces the risk of contamination with food items.

The only drawback of powder-free nitrile gloves is that they pose difficulty when worn. The gloves may also provide a less firm grasp.

  1. Cost

Nitrile gloves are more expensive than latex gloves. If price is a constraint for you, then you should probably stick to latex gloves. However, if the price is not an issue, you should purchase nitrile gloves to suit your requirements.  

Powder-free nitrile gloves cost more than powdered gloves. The reason is that another step is added to the production of powder-free gloves.

Conclusion

Nitrile gloves have proven to be a good alternative to latex gloves. Not only are these known for their strength but also durability. Despite being more costly than rubber gloves, nitrile gloves are slowly replacing them. 

There are many nitrile gloves manufacturing companies in Malaysia. The companies are of varying scales but adhere to international standards. If you want to purchase nitrile gloves, the points mentioned above should help you to buy one according to your requirements.