Like many citizens of countries, such as Americans here in the USA, people gravitate towards supporting local economies when they get the chance. From local grown foods, crafts, services and any manufactured products that promote regional growth. While the idea is great, sometimes product manufacturing is hindered because of natural resource availability. Case and point with the making of disposable gloves. The Rubber Tree, or should I say, the lack thereof!
Native to the Amazon basin, now widely cultivated in Southeast Asia and Western Africa for commercial rubber production. A tall deciduous tree that can grow up to 43 meters (141 feet) in the wild. It is known for its milky white latex, which is the primary source of natural rubber. The latex from Hevea brasiliensis is used in the production of tires, gloves, and other rubber products. Trees are typically smaller in plantations due to regular tapping for latex, which slows growth. They are usually harvested after 25 to 30 years when latex production declines.
Countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia are major producers of natural latex rubber, a key material for latex gloves. Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia have significant market shares in nitrile butadiene rubber production, while China is the largest producer of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), used for vinyl gloves. Overall, the combination of raw material availability, cost efficiency, market demand, and regulatory factors contributes to the prevalence of overseas manufacturing for disposable gloves.
So while the idea of local economic support is widely applauded, unfortunately in the manufacturing of Nitrile or Latex gloves, the USA misses out!