The Malaysian Rubber Gloves Manufacturers Association (MARGMA) together with co-host the Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC) today held a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing with 18 major sponsors of the upcoming 10th International Rubber Glove Conference & Exhibition (IRGCE), to be held at KL Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur from 6 to 8 September. The signing ceremony was witnessed by YB Datuk Hajjah Zuraida Kamaruddin, Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities.
The 10th IRGCE titled “Breaking Boundaries: Game Changing Initiatives” will feature the very latest in innovations, development and trends within the medical rubber glove and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Industries with a showcase of rubber glove products and related products in the supply chain. A total of 224 companies from 17 countries will be participating in the 10th IRGCE, making it the largest Rubber Glove event ever to be held globally. Malaysia has the largest participation with 143 companies followed by China, United Kingdom, Germany, Thailand, Taiwan and India.
There are a total of 86 speakers from Malaysia, United States of America, United Kingdom, Japan and South Korea invited to present various papers over the 3-day conference. Capturing the essence of ‘Breaking Boundaries’ in innovation and technology with revolutionary initiatives to help shape the future of the Rubber Glove Industry, some of the conference topics include “Research Directions for Natural Rubber in the Ecosystem”, “New Global Threats Will Expand Need for Gloves and Innovation”, “Smart Factory, Automation, IOT and IR4.0.”, “Sustainable Rubber Industry: Way Forward to the Next Normal” and more.
The 10th IRGCE 2022 is organized in association with the Thai Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (TRGMA) and the Indonesian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (IRGMA). The event is supported by the Ministry of Primary Industries and Commodities (MPIC), Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB), Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).
This 10th IRGCE will be held in tandem with the Malaysian Rubber Products Manufacturers Association (MRPMA) exhibition of all Malaysian made rubber products and also the Plastics and Rubber Institute Malaysia (PRIM) RubberCon conference, which is the largest rubber conference in the World.
MARGMA anticipates normalisation in demand and supply post-pandemic and demand growth to sustain at 10% to 12% per annum
At the MoU signing, MARGMA President Dr Supramaniam expressed that the industry players are navigating through a challenging time dealing with multiple dynamics with global risks including the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war. MARGMA is nevertheless confident the industry will see a demand growth of 10% to 12% per annum, in 2022. Notwithstanding the volatility in Average Selling Price and Demand/Supply situation, brought about momentarily by the stocks in the supply chain, it is anticipated as a consequence of increased global healthcare awareness and enhanced regulatory requirements, such demand will grow to 12% to 15% in 2023.
Dr. Supramaniam cites that Malaysian rubber gloves players, given their experience and long establishments will be able to overcome these challenges but cautioned that in order for Malaysia to maintain its leading trade position as the world’s No.1 exporter of rubber gloves, there are room for improvement in the Government’s business-friendly policies that can be favourable to manufacturers.
MARGMA President Dr. Supramaniam commented that the Malaysian Rubber Glove Industry will work closely with all stakeholders to strive to be amongst the first industry in the region to have Social Compliance as the industry unique selling proposition. He believes Malaysian rubber players will be able to lead and raise the ESG index for the rubber glove industry as well as for the country.
