Impact of Middle East Conflict

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate and is now having a profound and widening impact on global supply chains.

The conflict has severely disrupted the flow of crude oil and natural gas from the Middle East to the Disposable Glove Manufacturing Plants in Asia. To understand why this matters so directly to our products, it helps to follow the chain from source to shelf.

Crude Oil → Refining → Naphtha → Petrochemical Monomers → Nitrile Rubber / PVC / Polyethylene → Our Products

How Our Products Have Been Affected -

Nitrile Rubber - Nitrile Disposable & Coated Industrial Gloves

Nitrile rubber is produced from petrochemical monomers that sit directly downstream of naphtha. As feedstock availability has collapsed, nitrile rubber raw material costs have doubled since the conflict began. Supply across the global market is running approximately 30-60% below normal production capacity, as manufacturers of varying size and buying power find themselves unable to secure sufficient feedstock to maintain full output. Significant price increases have already been implemented by all of our Suppliers, with further increases expected over the coming months.

PVC - Vinyl Disposable Gloves

Vinyl gloves depend on PVC, which is produced from ethylene, a petrochemical feedstock directly affected by the naphtha supply disruption. The Middle East accounts for a significant share of global ethylene capacity and the sudden withdrawal of that supply has caused a sharp tightening across the PVC chain. Production capacity at Asian vinyl facilities has also been impacted, adding supply pressure on top of rising input costs.

Polyethylene - Polythene Products

Polythene products are manufactured from polyethylene, which is equally exposed to the naphtha price shock. Approximately 15% of global polyethylene production is located in the Middle East and 84% of Middle Eastern polyethylene exports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the closure of this route has significantly reduced global supply. 

Natural Rubber - Latex Products

Natural rubber latex is sourced from agricultural plantations in Southeast Asia and is not directly linked to the oil supply chain, providing some initial insulation from the current shock. However, as demand shifts towards natural rubber to compensate for tightening synthetic rubber availability, pricing is beginning to react and availability may tighten further over time.

Transport And Freight Cost Increases -

The impact of the conflict is not limited to raw materials. Transport and freight costs are also rising significantly and this is adding further pressure to the overall cost base.

At an international level, Emergency Fuel Surcharges (EFS) have already been implemented by major carriers, driven by war-risk insurance premiums, route diversions, operational delays and the suspension of traffic through key maritime corridors.

The rise in petroleum prices is simultaneously increasing the cost of road transport, both in the countries where our products are manufactured and across the UK. Our next day carrier (DPD) are adjusting their 'fuel surcharge' on a weekly basis.

We will endeavour to provide further updates as the situation develops.

Updated: 28/03/26