Odor can be an important consideration for gloves that are worn for extended periods or used in environments where user comfort matters.

The odor of a finished glove can be influenced by multiple factors, including:

• Polymer and raw materials

• Formulation

• Additives

• Curing

• Washing or post-treatment

• Storage conditions

Therefore, low-odor performance should be evaluated as part of the complete glove system rather than attributed to one material alone.

For manufacturers, selecting an NBR latex with appropriate raw-material characteristics is one part of the process.

The formulation and curing system also need to be considered.

RUICO develops NBR latex for glove applications with attention to process stability, film properties and application requirements.

For customers with specific odor targets, the useful approach is to define the finished-glove requirement and then evaluate the latex and formulation accordingly.