KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 (Xinhua) - Malaysia's rubber glove industry is facing rising production costs, supply chain disruptions and financial pressure following the shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which has affected the flow of key raw materials and energy supplies.
The Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association said in a statement on Thursday that the disruptions have caused Brent crude oil prices to soar and directly impacted the availability and cost of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), which is manufactured from petroleum derivatives and is the primary raw material for nitrile gloves.
"This is now threatening global medical glove supplies and places immense financial strain on local manufacturers," it said.
As Malaysia fulfils approximately 45 percent of global rubber glove demand, it noted that any prolonged disruption threatens the stability of global healthcare systems and risks damaging Malaysia's reputation as the world's leading and reliable protective equipment supplier.
The association is urging the government to prioritize domestic NBR supply for local glove manufacturers and to provide temporary relief on gas take-or-pay contracts to help manufacturers manage rising costs and production disruptions until raw material supply stabilizes.
According to the association, the rubber glove industry recorded a total export value of 3.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2025, accounting for approximately 64 percent of the nation's total rubber product exports. ■
