The Paintbox

The geography of latex remains concentrated in Southeast Asia, with Malaysia and Thailand accounting for over 70% of global production. In 2026, these hubs have moved toward "Vertical Integration," where the glove factories are located within miles of the rubber plantations.

This "Tree-to-Glove" model minimizes the use of ammonia (used to keep liquid latex from coagulating during transport), resulting in a more environmentally friendly and chemically stable end product. However, 2026 has seen a 13-year high in raw material prices due to heavy monsoon rains, leading to a surge in "Dual-Inventory" strategies among hospital procurement teams.