Top Glove drives signs of recovery for the natural latex market

The surge in glove orders from the United States marks a turning point in industrial demand for latex, following several quarters of contraction.

Top Glove, the world's largest manufacturer of latex gloves, projects a 10% increase in sales volume for the first quarter of 2026, driven by a significant improvement in orders from the United States.

The company is already showing a sustained recovery in its production capacity utilization—which rose from 58% to 71% in just a few months—reflecting a shift in the medical and industrial rubber sectors.

Each container holds approximately 4 million gloves, and major customers are reserving between 20 and 50 units per shipment, a trend that is beginning to revive global demand for natural latex.

For the raw materials market, this recovery offers some relief: increased glove production means greater consumption of latex and its derivatives, providing support to international prices after a year of weakness. The sustainability of this rebound will depend on US orders remaining stable in the coming quarters.