Rubber Cleaning Gloves (pair)

Material Composition Assumptions

A typical pair of rubber cleaning gloves weighs approximately 80 grams and consists primarily of natural rubber latex derived from the Hevea brasiliensis tree. The concentrated latex makes up roughly 85% of the total weight, providing the flexible base material. Sulfur compounds account for about 2% of the composition, serving as vulcanizing agents that cross-link the rubber polymers during curing. Chemical accelerators and stabilizers represent approximately 3% of the weight, enhancing the vulcanization process and improving product durability. Plasticizers comprise another 5% to maintain flexibility and tactile properties. The remaining 5% includes chlorine-based surface treatments applied during finishing to reduce surface tackiness and improve donning characteristics.

Manufacturing Geography

The majority of rubber cleaning gloves are manufactured in Southeast Asian countries, particularly Thailand and Malaysia, which together account for over 60% of global production. This geographic concentration stems from proximity to natural rubber plantations and established latex processing infrastructure. Thailand’s electricity grid operates at an average intensity of 0.52 kgCO2e per kWh, reflecting the country’s mixed energy portfolio of natural gas, coal, and hydroelectric power. Manufacturing facilities in this region benefit from lower labor costs, well-developed supply chains for raw materials, and government policies supporting the rubber industry. The tropical climate also provides optimal conditions for both rubber cultivation and the energy-intensive drying processes required in glove manufacturing.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated CCI Score	Adjustment vs Default
Thailand	0.52 kgCO2e/kWh	45	Baseline (0%)
Malaysia	0.49 kgCO2e/kWh	43	-4%
China (coal-heavy)	0.71 kgCO2e/kWh	52	+16%
Vietnam	0.58 kgCO2e/kWh	47	+4%
India	0.82 kgCO2e/kWh	55	+22%

Provenance Override Guidance

1. Submit energy consumption data (kWh per kilogram) for heating, drying, and chlorination processes during manufacturing, along with local electricity grid carbon intensity documentation.

2. Provide transportation manifests showing shipping distances and modes from latex source to manufacturing facility, and from facility to final distribution point.

3. Document natural latex sourcing practices including plantation location, fertilizer application rates, and concentrated latex production methods with associated energy inputs.

4. Supply detailed material composition data showing actual percentages of natural latex, sulfur compounds, accelerators, and other chemical additives used in production.

5. Present end-of-life waste management practices including disposal methods, recycling rates, and any energy recovery processes applicable to your distribution markets.

Methodology Notes

• The CCI score represents cradle-to-grave emissions for one pair of disposable rubber cleaning gloves assuming single-use application and typical disposal patterns.
• Scope 1 emissions reflect direct manufacturing processes including fuel combustion for heating and curing, while Scope 3 dominates due to upstream latex production and downstream disposal impacts.
• The functional unit assumes standard medium-sized gloves weighing 80 grams per pair with typical thickness and durability specifications.
• Packaging materials and retail storage emissions are excluded from this assessment due to high variability across distribution channels.
• Data gaps exist around specific fertilizer types used in rubber plantations and regional variations in waste management infrastructure that could affect end-of-life emissions.
• The assessment does not account for potential reuse scenarios, which could reduce per-use emissions by approximately half if gloves are cleaned and reused once.