KUALA LUMPUR (March 26): Rubber glove manufacturers in Malaysia, which supply about 45% of global rubber glove demand, are calling for immediate government intervention to counter a critical shortage of raw materials caused by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing war in Iran. The Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (Margma) said the blockade had severely disrupted global shipping routes and caused Brent crude oil prices to soar. This has directly impacted the availability and cost of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) latex, or synthetic latex, which is derived from petroleum. The issue is now at "crisis" level and threatening global medical glove supplies, placing immense financial strain on local manufacturers, Margma said in a statement on Thursday. “The rubber glove industry remains a cornerstone of the Malaysian economy.

Source: The Edge Markets March 26, 2026 07:43 UTC