The coronavirus pandemic has contributed to a dramatic drop in sex over the last year..Karex Industries, the world’s largest producer of condom, says their business has drooped 40% in the last two years..Karex has now changed its production to gloves, not rubbers..Karex makes one in five condoms around the world, supplying brands such as Durex..The Malaysia-based company produces 5.5 billion condoms a year and operates in 140 countries..CEO of Karex, Goh Maih Kiat, told reporters sexual activity using the contraceptive did not increase amidst lockdowns and the pandemic directly and negatively impacted condom sales..A large portion of western distribution is done by government family planning clinics and sexual wellness clinics which have been closed after being deemed nonessential services..Lockdowns also negatively impacted the sex industry and hotels around the world, large contributors to condom sales..Karex is launching two medical glove production lines in Thailand later this year, with the possibility of expanding to 10 lines..The new venture will begin with 500 million pieces made a year and expected to grow to 2.5 billion a year..Latex glove manufacturing uses the same materials and technology as condoms, but have less barriers to enter the industry..Ewa Sudyk is a reporter with the Western Standard..,.esudyk@westernstandardonline.com
