In 2019 our country experienced a shortage of most medical, and cleaning supplies. Some shortages were managed better than others, and most were caused by consumer panic buying. Why a family needs eight or ten jumbo packages of toilet paper all at once no-one will ever know. This sort of consumer activity created shortages through the entire supply chain. While most of the shortages were because of changes in consumer behavior, some were genuine shortages. The shortages in the Nitrile Markets were caused by increased use cases.
"Thailand produced 4.37 million metric tons of natural rubber in 2020, making it the leading producer of natural rubber worldwide. This was followed by Indonesia, which produced 3.04 million metric tons" Source
In addition to increased use for nitrile products, some manufactures such as Top Glove experienced regulatory issues over employee safety, and walk offs. There just weren't enough employees to work in the factories, and the conditions were not good enough to keep, and attract new ones.
As China ramped into alternative glove manufacturing including recycled nitrile/latex blends shortages began the ease for non-medical grade nitrile gloves. However, shortages persisted for exam, and surgical grade nitrile gloves.
We believe most of the shortages have worked their way out of the supply chain, and there is currently an excess of nitrile gloves on the ground and will cause temporary margin compression as factories reduce capacity, and countries replenish stock piles.
https://defendersafety.com/articles/navigating-the-nitrile-gloves-shortage/
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