Malaysia glove makers issue call for help amid NBR latex shortage

Selangor, Malaysia – The Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (MARGMA) has called on the government to provide “temporary relief measures” as a shortage of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) latex impacts production and costs.

In a 26 March statement, the association said the disruption to global shipping routes, triggered by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, has pushed Brent crude prices “above $100 per barrel.”

This, it said, is directly affecting the availability and pricing of NBR, which it said is “the primary raw material for nitrile gloves.”

“This is now threatening global medical glove supplies and places immense financial strain on local manufacturers,” said MARGMA.

Noting that Malaysia supplies roughly “45% of global rubber glove demand,” MARGMA warned that any prolonged disruption could impact healthcare systems and “risk damaging Malaysia’s reputation.”

“Malaysia’s rubber glove industry is a strategic, high-value export sector critical to global healthcare systems,” said MARGMA president Oon Kim Hung.

Oon called for a temporary relief from the government directive requiring 100% local manufacturing for glove exports.

Local manufacturers, he said, now need “temporary relief to survive this external supply shock” and manage what he described as an “unprecedented supply-driven challenge.”

To maintain output, MARGMA urged authorities to work with domestic suppliers to “temporarily prioritise NBR supply to Malaysian nitrile glove manufacturers over overseas buyers.”

This, it said, will help maintain national production capacity and ensures that rubber glove manufacturers are able to fulfil commitments to hospitals and healthcare distributors worldwide.

At the same time, the group warned that reduced operating rates are making it difficult for producers to meet minimum gas consumption under ‘take-or-pay contracts.’

This, it said, is creating “further financial burden” and requires intervention.

MARGMA, therefore, called for a temporary suspension or adjustment of these obligations, including “waivers, downward adjustments, or rebates on contracted volumes until the NBR supply stabilises.”

This, it said, will help manufacturers “manage operational costs and avoid additional financial strain.”

According to MARGMA, Malaysian glove makers generated RM14 billion in export value in 2025, accounting for nearly 64% of the country’s total rubber product exports.