World’s Top Rubber Grower Challenges Malaysia’s Glove Dominance
- Thailand aims to become global hub for latex glove production
- Covid-19 outbreak is driving demand for gloves worldwide
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Thailand, the world’s largest natural rubber supplier, is ramping up domestic production of gloves with the coronavirus outbreak fueling a global shortage.
About 80% of Thailand’s rubber has traditionally been exported for further processing, with tiremakers normally the biggest customers. But with the pandemic driving up demand for gloves, Thailand can easily double its market share to 26% next year, according to Boon Vanasin, a local hospital tycoon setting up a 20-billion gloves facility.