admin, Author at ET2C International

Small Business and startup – 6 Sourcing Tips

Industry Insights / admin / Small Business, Startup, Supply Chain

Small Business Startup ET2C International

Over the past decade, the barriers to entry for consumer goods brands have been greatly reduced. Back in the mid-20th Century, you would need a lot of cash for a manufacturing plant and business experience before you could even start to think about selling products. Globalisation and technology changed all that. Mass outsourcing of manufacturing, particularly across Asia this past three decades, enabled companies to both buy products to sell and importantly to design their own ranges. Today, with platforms like Alibaba, access to thousands of factories is readily available through the touch of a button.

Pitfalls for Young Growth Companies

But this is just the start of the journey. There are many pitfalls that then present themselves as one puts pen to paper (or signs virtually) on an agreement with a ‘Gold Star’ Supplier that you have found on Alibaba.
Over the years, we have come across many companies that have done the hard yards; designing, manufacturing and taking their products to market. Inevitably, however, there are always going to be issues when a young growth company is transacting halfway across the world with factories that sit within different time zones and cultures.

small business and startup ET2C International

Small business – too many limits.

These problems are exacerbated further when you have limited clients, limited cash and limited resource. One false step on quality can mean the department store that you have persuaded (perhaps even begged) to take your product can mean a brutal (and costly) rejection. Or when a factory makes a mistake in production that means the products require re-work on site, how is a company with limited resource able to address this? And if your product fails chemical testing that you were not aware was a requirement to sell in your chosen market, what are the ramifications?

Sourcing Tips for Young Growth Companies

Arguably, your supply chain will determine the success or failure of the business. It has the ability to scale your business by delivering what you need. Here are some of our tips to keep in mind:

1.Technology is an enabler, not a fail-safe

Of course, platforms like Alibaba have allowed buyers the world over to find suppliers for their products, but it is important to still understand who that supplier is, what they do and how they are suited to your needs.

2.Visit your Suppliers in Person

Just as you would if you were manufacturing down the road, it is essential that you have visited the manufacturing facility, spoken to the owners and satisfied yourself that they are the right ‘partner’, which may include social and ethical compliance.

3.Be Clear on Product Specifications at the Outset

Make sure you have as detailed a product specification as you can draw up that meets your own needs. Certainly, you should agree, sign and chop this with your supplier, to ensure that there is no misunderstanding. Where possible, include any packaging requirements and shipping marks. Also, chemical and physical testing would be advisable as well given this may impact price.

design sketch idea project ET2C

4.Quality is Paramount

You know better than anyone what your product proposition is to your customers and how ‘quality’ fits within this. So, make sure that you have visibility on the production (inline) and also implement an independent quality control so that you can check the products before anything is shipped. You do not want to be shipping problems to your market as this will only increase the costs.

5.Terms & Conditions

Different markets have different (and often contradictory) rules of law. Never assume that a standard contract will provide sufficient legal recourse when it comes to IP or recourse for faulty or delayed goods. You need an agreement in place that has jurisdiction in the country where your goods are being manufactured. Otherwise, it is likely that the contract is not worth the paper it is written on.

startup quality assurance control ET2C International

6.Never Assume Anything

A catch-all. Just remember you will often be operating in an alien marketplace that speaks different languages. Surely, commonsense is not something that you should lean on.

Get all these right, and there is a real opportunity to nail the supply chain piece!

ET2C startups small business sourcing procurement — ET2C Int. helps Young Growth Companies scale their businesses

Small Business – How to grow?

At ET2C, we have a track record of helping young growth companies scale their businesses. We understand your needs and have the capability and reach across Asia to manage your suppliers without any upfront costs. For more information, please contact us at contact@et2cint.com.

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Fast Fashion – the impact of Coronavirus: a Sustainable Future

Industry Insights / admin / coronavirus, Fashion, Fast Fashion, garment, Industry

Fast Fashion coronavirus sustainability covid19

The coronavirus pandemic has firmly cast the spotlight on the fashion industry. As countries and markets have gone into lockdown worldwide, the fashion industry from trade shows to retailers has been impacted.

Digital platforms have become the norm now across many aspects of our daily lives. Even fashion shows in Shanghai, Tokyo and Moscow all followed suit and went digital. Some of the upcoming collections at the largest fashion capitals might be projected through a screen in this new Covid-existence.

The impact on fast fashion

Likewise, the global pandemic had a dramatic impact on fast fashion at a retail level. Consumption has declined as stores have been shuttered. Consumers have thought twice about buying clothes given the limit to the amount of socializing we have been experiencing.

Undoubtedly, we are reconsidering our past behaviours; how we spend our money. We have discussed before the impact that the fashion industry has on the environment, but has this pandemic accelerated this change?

store boutique shop sustainable sustainability

A Shifting Manufacturing Landscape

One glaring point this pandemic has highlighted as markets went into lockdown was the dramatic and visible drop in greenhouse gases as factories were forced to shut their gates (appreciate this is not solely to do with manufacturing, or the garment sector specifically, but still serves to make the point). The United Nationals Alliance for Sustainable Fashion estimates that the fashion industry accounts for 8-10% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. We can visibly see our impact as consumers on the environment across global media outlets.

Challenges or opportunities?

From a product perspective, if one looks back up the supply chain, the Garment industry since the 1970s has largely been manufacturing where cheap labour can be found. Western Brands looked to scale their offering using low cost labour. These markets, the manufacturers and (importantly) their workers now sit idle. We have previously used the example of Bangladesh. Its garment manufacturing industry (84% of all exports) decimated during this pandemic. This demand shock has caused an economic tsunami. Can some of the medium size operators continue to survive? Will they want to take on orders for clients that caused them significant financial losses? The likely outcome, in the absence of any consequential local Government intervention in these Asian markets, is consolidation across the garment manufacturing sector. It may be therefore that with less competition and greater power with the suppliers (around client selection) costs start on an upward trend.

Fast Fashion & The Consumer

The process of making one cotton shirt emits approximately 5 kilograms of carbon dioxide and 1,750 litres of water. The vast majority of consumers are not aware of this nor would it have any impact on past buying decisions. Price has always been a key element of any purchasing decision. But it also impacts how a particular garment is treated in the future. When a shirt costs $5, it is quickly seen as disposable. This combined with the Fast Fashion industry that sells billions of garments each year to provide their consumers with the latest trends from the fanfare and glamour of the catwalks, promotes the idea that clothes are disposable and encourage excessive waste.

fast fashion sales coronavirus covid19 sustainability

Sustainability and more sustainable behaviour have been forced in front of even the most unwilling consumers. We know that Sustainability comes at a cost and this has long been the balance that Brands have struggled to manage. And with each step back to normality, consumer mindsets and shopping habits will change.

A Sustainable Future

This pandemic, for all the pain and suffering, has potentially put the breaks on the beast of consumerism, which has been guzzling up the world’s resources at an unsustainable rate over the past 30 years. This is not to say that Fashion does not have a future. Certainly, we have always looked to express ourselves and clothing is fundamental to this. But, perhaps this has given fashion retailers the opportunity they needed to invest more in sustainable (more expensive) practices like upcycling and the use of more sustainable materials such as Pinatex (made from waste Pineapple leaf). Sustainability reports are already a central part of large retailers’ annual reports and one would now expect some of their ambitions to be accelerated.

sustainability sustainable fibers ET2C coronavirus fashion

Help from the Fashion Industry

Whilst we wait for lockdowns to be relaxed, it is notable that fashion houses and retailers are doing their bit to help prevent the spread of this virus. Prophetically, Burberry already had face masks on their catwalk towards the end of 2019, but the face mask has begun integrating itself into mainstream culture. Also, a lot of fashion houses are now making and selling versions of cloth masks for this new Covid-19 reality. Let’s hope that this is not a trend that needs to remain for the long term.

At ET2C, we are here to help our clients across multiple categories and markets. For example, we are currently producing a range of Cloth Masks to meet the world’s needs and to combat this deadly virus. For all enquiries, please contact us for more information at contact@et2cint.com.

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Face Mask, stay safe and protect the environment

Industry Insights / admin / coronavirus, Face mask, Sustainability

Face Mask, coronavirus covid19 mask

Over the past 4 months there have been a number of conflicting opinions on whether face masks can prevent the new covid-19 virus from transmitting from one person to another. Inevitably though, with an abundance of caution, many governments have changed their guidelines and regulations on the use of the face mask and made them a key part of their post ‘lockdown’ strategies.

At the time of writing, more than 50 countries require people to cover their faces when they leave their home. For example, the French Government, who originally declared that masks were “unnecessary” this week has made it mandatory to wear them on public transport and in secondary schools and is distributing masks through supermarkets and pharmacies. Likewise, the Hong Kong Government has provided a free cloth mask for all permanent residents as part of their strategy.

Disposable Masks: a threat for the environment?

Of course, this conflict in public health advice is confusing for the public. Moreover, many are also concerned by the impact that this Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) could have on the environment. Most face masks available for sale are made from layers of non-woven material and are designed to be for single-use. Undoubtedly, with large volumes of PPE, one output of this pandemic will likely be a large amount of PPE that has been disposed of over the last couple of months. Certainly, this represents a serious threat to the environment.

A recent report published by the UCL Plastic Waste Innovation Hub reveals that if, for example, every person in the UK used one single-use face mask each day for a year, it would create 66,000 tonnes of contaminated plastic waste, and ten times more climate change impact than using reusable masks.
Obviously, medical and other healthcare providers have to use disposable masks for safety reasons.
In order to reserve these critical supplies for healthcare works, many Governments and health organisations, are recommending people to wear cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
This represents for sure a more environmentally-friendly option, since the fabric masks are washable and reusable.

Fabric Masks: are they all the same?

It’s important to remember that the protective masks are not all the same. Different types of mask offer different levels of protection.

In particular, the homemade masks that don’t include any particular filter are not so effective. Already in 2013, a research by the Public Health England demonstrated that the surgical mask blocks the transmission 3 times more than the homemade mask. We are currently working with our partners across Asia to provide a range of Cloth Masks that could represent a more sustainable choice compared to disposable products, while assuring some additional protection from further contagion.

Cloth Masks from Vietnam: more sustainable and safe.

If you want to choose a sustainable alternative to surgical masks, without sacrificing efficiency in terms of protection, these cloth masks are a great option for you.

3-PLY Droplet Resistant Antibacterial Masks

You can wash and dry for reuse this 100% cotton face mask.
The 3 integrated layers offer a great protection against airborne particles and droplets containing viruses and bacteria. They are comfortable and enable a normal breathing.

3 PLY nano silver technology vietnam

Nano Silver Masks

These 100% Cotton maks are washable and present 3 integrated layers.
In particular, the one in the middle is treated with Silver Nano technology that works as a safety filter. In fact, it eliminates small particles of bacteria that pass through the outer layer of the mask.

Nano Silver technology is an antimicrobial colloid composed of silver nanoparticles stabilized by a polymer that exhibits excellent antimicrobial efficacy across a wide spectrum of microorganisms.
While Silver inhibits the oxygen exchange in bacteria and kills it, this technology enhances that effect even more.

face mask fabric cotton cloth vietnam

3 Layers Antibacterial Masks

The external layer includes both cotton and polyester, and the antibacterial and nanomesh layers assure high levels of protection. This mask is washable up to 30 times without losing the antibacterial proprieties.

Antibacterial cloth fabric

Antibacterial Face Mask

The nose adjustable clip helps keep the mask fit to the face. Anti – UV and water resistant, the internal layers are dust-proof and antibacterial, blocking 99,98% of bacteria. There are two size available: S for kids and M for adults. This product is washable and keeps its antibacterial proprieties in the first 30 washes. However, hand washed or delicate machine wash are preferred to prevent any damage to the original shape.

face Mask antibacterial cloth cotton Vietnam

Looking for Cotton Masks? We can help!

We are currently working with our partners in Vietnam to provide a range of Face Masks to meet the world’s needs and to combat this deadly virus. In addition, we have other medical products from disposable masks, protective gloves, face shields, hand sanitizers, medical suits, gowns and other products to meet the current need for medical products on ‘frontlines’ across the world. From a sourcing perspective, the current regulatory landscape in China is very complex for these products. Please make sure if you are buying direct, you are doing the appropriate due diligence and checks. For all enquiries, please contact us for more information at coronasupplies@et2cint.com .

Disclaimer. According to the World Health Organisation, masks alone will not prevent people from catching the coronavirus. Remember to use them in combination with normal hygiene methods, such as handwashing with soap and water.

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China Manufacturing: Any alternatives?

Industry Insights / admin / China, India, manufacturing, Vietnam

China Manufacturing alternatives

China manufacturing is obviously the first option that comes to one’s mind when considering outsourcing any production. It’s scale, breadth of products and supplier network are unrivalled the world over.
Clearly, decreasing product cost is the main driver for any decision in favour of outsourcing.
However, outsourcing can bring many other benefits to your business, like for example increasing the flexibility of your supply chain.

In our previous article, we already listed the main advantages of outsourcing manufacturing:

Costs reductions
Raw material
Flexibility
Quality
Expertise.

Certainly, it is more affordable to outsource production processes to companies that have a comparative advantage in that area than to produce them internally and China is not the only option available.
In this article, we will be providing you with an overview on the main manufacturing jurisdictions in Asia.

China

Although China’s manufacturing base has had challenges over the past five years (notwithstanding the current impact of the Coronavirus outbreak), it continues to be the manufacturer to the world. There is no doubt that there is work to do though to retain a competitive advantage and with the Chinese Government’s implementation of “Made in China 2025”, and investment in smart manufacturing and technology, there is a promise of further efficiencies being driven through their factory gates.
How can we help?
As your China sourcing agent, we will help maximize your company’s sourcing potential in China’s complex manufacturing base. Contact us at shanghai@et2cint.com to know more.

Vietnam

Vietnam is one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing emerging markets and represents a valid alternative to China sourcing. First, the country is currently propelled by buoyant export demand and supported by strong foreign direct investment. In addition, the manufacturing sector benefits from a strong work ethic of the Vietnamese and their commitment to quality.

Vietnam China Manufacturing

Vietnam actually wants to remain competitive, with low labor rates, while bringing a greater quality for economic transformation. The young and skilled workforce is highly literate, willing to learn and trainable.

Advantages of sourcing from Vietnam

The country continues to attract business from US buyers due to the current tariffs imposed on Chinese products. Clearly, companies are also looking to de-risk and look to spread their supplier base across multiple jurisdictions.
Also, Vietnam has the largest investment in infrastructure in South East Asia, including in both private and public sectors. With nearly a billion US dollars being spent on new infrastructure projects, Vietnam is serious about increasing the speed and efficiency of its economy.

Vietnam China Manufacturing

The biggest industries in Vietnam

Electronics, machinery, and steel are some of the biggest industries in Vietnam.
In terms of quality and high value in production, we must mention:

Furniture. With an export value of USD 8.66 billion and 1,500+ medium to large furniture manufacturers, Vietnam is one of the most important outdoor and indoor furniture manufacturing countries in the world.
Garden product. This is a growth manufacturing sector in Vietnam, due to the available raw material and skill set within the workforce.
Garment. This sector has been developing strongly and plays an increasingly important role in economic growth of the country. Vietnam is the third-largest garment exporter, with major exporting destinations including the United States, EU, Japan, and South Korea.

Is sourcing from Vietnam the best option?

Vietnam is a growing economy but suffers from an inadequate infrastructure in banking, communications and transport.
However, while China has slightly lost its competitive edge over the past couple of years, mainly due to the increased labour cost and lack of investment, manufacturing in Vietnam still offers the flexibility of low volume, high mix production and competitive overall cost level.
If you think that Vietnam might be the right Sourcing solution for you, contact our team now: vietnam@et2cint.com.

India

India has a large and growing workforce, as well as access to raw materials. With a newly elected pro-business and pro-manufacturing government, the country is entering a new era of skilled manufacturing and production. Investment in smart manufacturing is coming to the fore and should create greater production efficiencies in the future.
For these reasons, an increasing number of companies are exploring alternative markets such as India to diversify their business and minimize risks.

Benefits of Sourcing from India

First of all, a wide range of raw materials are readily available within India including cotton, silk, jute, marble, metal, wood, bamboo and others. The country traditionally focused on producing unique and handcrafted products not found in other countries.
In general, Indian suppliers have more respect for their buyers’ IP than suppliers from other countries and there are more robust laws in place to implement such protection.

India Graffiti

India’s top industries

India’s top exported categories overall are raw materials and industrial products. Other goods that you can import from India include handcrafted items made of various materials such as metal, ceramic, wood and textiles; apparel and fabrics; fashion accessories; leather products; and eco-friendly products.
Are you looking for Indian suppliers? As your India sourcing agent, we will guide you through the complexities of the Indian market and identify product opportunities. Contact us at india@et2cint.com and let us help!

Summary

China is still an important part of the global sourcing arena, and will continue to be so. Scale and population size (albeit an aging demographic) still count and provide a significant advantage when compared with smaller markets. For example, Vietnam by comparison is only 90 Million people in total against China’s 1.6 Billion population. The annual GDP output of Guangzhou City, in Guangdong province, is more than the whole of Vietnam in 2019.
Certain industries have become more global and the garment sector is a good example of this. New territories often bring with them new challenges. At ET2C, we are constantly looking for the best suppliers for our clients both within China and beyond. For all enquiries, please contact us at contact@et2cint.com

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The Sourcing Quiz!

Company News / admin / Quiz, sourcing

Sourcing Quiz ET2C

The past couple of months have been nothing less than extraordinary. With half the world on lockdown – to differing degrees – people have had to adapt to a new way of existing. Retail has generally been ‘on pause’, restaurants and bars have been shuttered to abide by social distancing requirements and sporting events have all but disappeared from screens, newsreels and social chatter. The newsrooms have been churning out feeds that endlessly cover statistics such as fatality rate, confirmed cases, ‘R’ and the latest subject of many news outlets, personal protective equipment (“PPE”). Economies are hurt, stock markets are down and earnings reports during Q2 do not look particularly promising.

Sourcing covid19 covid virus coronavirus

It is all rather bleak…So, to cheer everyone up, we thought we would provide you with something a little different and do a quiz to provide a little bit of respite from the ‘Corona’ news cycle. This will be split into four sections covering Geography, Sourcing, ET2C International and General Knowledge. For the top scores, we will be picking three lucky winners, who will receive a prize to help during these lockdowns. All you need to do is 1) like the article, 2) share it and then 3) email your answers to the following email; sourcingquiz@et2cint.com. We will let you know the answers by return. Good luck!

Geography

1) Tokyo is the largest city in Asia by Population, but which city takes the number two spot in the rankings?
a. Shanghai
b. Delhi
c. Ho Chi Minh City

2) Shanghai is also known as:
a. City of Lights
b. Pearl of the Orient
c. Fragrant Harbour

3) China’s coastline stretches from the Russian Border in the North, to the Gulf of Tonkin in the South, but how long is it in Kms?
a. 10,000 Kms
b. 12,500 Kms
c. 14,500 Kms

4) Excluding Hong Kong island itself, there are how many islands of over 500 m2 that make up the territory (to the nearest 50)?
a. 50
b. 150
c. 250

5) The ‘Silk Road’ was the first main trade route between continents and stretched from Xian through central Asia into Europe between the 2nd Century BC to the first century AD. How long was it?
a. 5,000 Kms
b. 7,000 Kms
c. 9,000 Kms

6) ET2C’s Shanghai Office is located at 175 East Yan An Road. Which landmark is the closest from this location:
a. The Bund
b. The Oriental Pearl TV Tower
c. Yu Garden

Sourcing Shanghai ET2C

Sourcing

1) ‘AQL’ as part of the internationally recognised inspection methodology stands for?
a. Acceptable Quality Level
b. Adverse Quality Level
c. Advertised Quality Level

2) Over half the world’s shoes are currently manufactured in:
a. China
b. Vietnam
c. Indonesia

3) How many cubic metres are there in a 20 Ft container, to the nearest cubic metres?
a. 28
b. 30
c. 32

4) If your sales are 100 and your costs are 80, what is your mark-up?
a. 15%
b. 20%
c. 25%

5) Manufacturing wage gains are often fastest in low-cost countries. Which country had the highest manufacturing wage gains in 2018/2019:
a. China
b. Indonesia
c. Cambodia

6) The value of orders cancelled or put on hold for Bangladesh suppliers (approx. 80% of their manufacturing industry) due to Covid-19 lockdowns across the West and US is estimated at:
a. $500 Million
b. $1.5 Billion
c. $3 Billion

ET2C International

1) When was our Vietnam office first opened?
a. 2006
b. 2008
c. 2010

2) The company’s original name was?
a. E-Trade
b. ET phone home
c. E-trade2china

3) Which category of product does ET2C not supply?
a. Shoes
b. PPE
c. Space Rockets

4) ET2C’s first client was a:
a. A metal working company
b. A supermarket chain
c. A body jewellery company

5) ET2C has a broad range of solutions, which was the first solution the company offered back in early 2001?
a. Quality Services
b. Buying Office solution
c. Sourcing

6) Which country did ET2C predict would win the now postponed Euro 2020 Championship this coming summer:
a. Italy
b. England
c. Germany

General Knowledge

1) A collective noun for a group of Owls is:
a. Flock
b. Parliament
c. Hoot

2) How many players are there in a volleyball team?
a. 6
b. 8
c. 10

3) The national flower of France is:
a. Rose
b. Lily
c. Iris

French Girl flowers

4) The British Monarch owns every one of these across the United Kingdom
a. Oak Tree
b. Swan
c. Beach

5) What constellation can be seen on the Australian flag?
a. The big dipper
b. The Southern Cross
c. None – just a collection of stars

6) Usain Bolt ran the 100 metres in 9.85 seconds to set a new world record. How many seconds would a cheetah be able to knock off that record at full speed?
a. 2 seconds
b. 3 seconds
c. 4 seconds

Did you have fun?

We hope that you enjoyed our quiz and it gave you some respite from all the doom and gloom. Please do remember to like and share our article and send your answers to sourcingquiz@et2cint.com for your chance to win a prize in our draw (or perhaps to challenge one of the answers!). We will be making the draw on the 10th May 2020.

At ET2C International, we are well placed to help manage your Asia Sourcing across multiple markets. We can help you through this difficult period at a time of heightened risk. Should have any queries on Asia sourcing, or more specifically China sourcing, Vietnam sourcing and India sourcing, please contact us at contact@et2cint.com.

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Hand in glove to prevent the virus

Industry Insights / admin / coronavirus, Covid19, medical supplies, safety gloves

Hand in glove to prevent the virus protective gloves covid covid19 coronavirus

As the coronavirus continues its spread, the entire world is facing acute shortages of materials like masks, hand-sanitizers and ventilators.

To tackle the difficult situation, many industries are developing new supply-chain strategies and management practices. The primary goal is to urgently optimize scarce resources, alleviate shortages, and expand capacity quickly.

Governments and health organizations are providing new regulations and guidelines, which change rapidly to front a scenario in continuous evolution.

During this unpredictable time, contradictory information is spreading confusion amongst people that do not understand the best practices to prevent further contagion.

Does Wearing Gloves Help Prevent Coronavirus?

Gloves are certainly useful. However, as for face masks, they are not a perfect form of barrier protection for those hoping to avoid germs in public places. On the other hand, in many cases wearing gloves is necessary if not paramount for certain jobs. For example healthcare workers and workers in the food and beverage industry, gloves are already required for their daily activities.

gloves virus covid covid19 coronavirus

Just like face masks, gloves remind you not to touch your face and avoid the exposure of the skin to bacteria. Unfortunately, one of the most common mistakes when wearing the gloves is believing that you are invincible, like Mario Bros when jumping on a superstar. In other words, wearing gloves might provide a false sense of security.

Of course, transmission via respiratory droplets is the most common way to spread Covid-19. In addition, the virus can be transmitted to people also from certain contaminated surfaces. Consequently, gloves are useful as a layer of protection against germs that you may have come into contact with. However, it is important to understand that anything you touch with your gloves could technically be contaminated too. Then, you might transfer germs to any and all surfaces they touch.

To avoid this, it’s necessary to wash always your hands immediately after removing your gloves, or in alternative use a hand sanitizer.

How can I properly take gloves off?

As with masks, how you remove your gloves is an integral part of preventing any cross-contamination. To stay safe, it is important to take extra care when taking your gloves off.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) set a step-by-step guide to help with this process:

Grasp the outside of one glove at the wrist. Do not touch your bare skin.
Peel the glove away from your body, pulling it inside out.
Hold the glove you just removed in your gloved hand.
Peel off the second glove by putting your fingers inside the glove at the top of your wrist.
Turn the second glove inside out while pulling it away from your body, leaving the first glove inside the second.
Dispose of the gloves safely. Do not reuse the glove.
Clean your hands immediately after removing gloves.

remove gloves virus hands coronavirus covid19

Are Protective Gloves all the Same?

There are several types of gloves commonly used to help prevent the contagion of the virus.

Nitrile Gloves

Nitrile gloves are a type of disposable glove made from synthetic rubber, and are an ideal alternative when latex allergies are of concern. They offer superior strength, dexterity and resistance to oils and aqueous chemicals in comparison to vinyl or latex. Also are the best when it comes to puncture resistance. For these reasons, they are often used in the medical, laboratory and manufacturing industries.

Latex Gloves

Latex Gloves are a made of natural rubber latex, they are the most flexible and resilient with a consistent fit. Since they represent a great barrier protection against infection and contamination, latex gloves are a popular choice of protective glove for medical or industrial use. When allergy to this material is not a concern, latex does have a slight advantage with comfort and dexterity over nitrile gloves.

Vinyl Gloves

Vinyl gloves are a type of disposable glove, made from a synthetic material: PVC. Vinyl is less elastic than nitrile and latex, giving it a looser fit and smooth, comfortable feel. Vinyl gloves are a good multi-purpose glove for general use and activities that do not require the highest degree of tactile precision. In particular, these gloves are often used in the food and manufacturing industry.

Polythene Disposable Gloves

Polythene disposable gloves are used to offer basic protection from dust and dirt.
They are thin, offer excellent dexterity and are highly economical, ideal for situations where a degree of protection is required but not necessary (cleaning, catering, petrol stations).

For the general public, it is important that such disposable gloves are prioritized for the front line and health care workers that need this equipment. Using other types of gloves and making sure that you are constantly washing your hands and maintaining good hygiene are important steps to prevent further infection.

Are you looking for Protective Gloves or other Medical Supplies?

We are currently working with our partners to provide a range of protective gloves and other medical products face masks, face shields, hand sanitizers, medical suits, gowns and goggles to meet your needs. Please contact us for more information at coronasupplies@et2cint.com .

Click here to download our Medical Supplies Offering.

Disclaimer. According to the World Health Organization, the use alone of rubber gloves in public will not prevent from catching the coronavirus, and must be used in combination with normal hygiene methods, such as handwashing with soap and water.

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Cloth Face Masks – a sustainable choice

Industry Insights / admin / coronavirus, Face Masks, Vietnam

Cloth Face Masks Cotton Covid19 Coronavirus

With the spread of the coronavirus worldwide, the consumption of disposable face masks has seen an incredible spike.
Whilst wearing a mask had previously only been recommended to those that already showed symptoms, the situation has now changed. In fact, there is increasing evidence that the Covid-19 can be spread by pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic carriers. For this reason, many Governments and health organisations , like the CDC, are recommending people consider wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

Is it always better to wear a mask?

Although there is still much to be learned about the novel coronavirus, it appears that many people who are infected are shedding the virus – through coughs, sneezes and other respiratory droplets – for 48 hours before they start feeling sick. And others who have the virus – up to 25%, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield — may never feel symptoms but may still play a role in transmitting it.
That’s why wearing a mask even if you don’t feel sick can be advisable for the general population.

Are there sustainable alternatives?

Now that everyone is concerned about protective equipment to stay safe, face masks are a must to prevent the contagion.
However, some consumers criticized the use of disposable masks because this does not represent an environmentally-friendly choice.
Are there sustainable alternatives for those who do not want to use surgical masks or respirators?
Can these consumers opt for masks that they can use again and stay safe?

Cloth Face Masks

Cloth Face Masks are certainly a sustainable option.
Conventional fabrics like cotton block liquid droplets and can provide incremental protection against airborne particles. Obviously, those in constant contact with people affected by the virus have to use disposable masks for safety reasons. But in certain circumstances, the use of a cloth mask can be a sustainable choice from a waste perspective as well as help alleviate the current medical supply shortage.
Moreover, cloth masks are washable, reusable and recyclable. A perfect choice for many consumers that care for sustainably.