Malaysian rubber glove manufacturer WRP announced a gradual shutdown due to the impact of lockdowns in Port Klang on petrochemical raw materials.

Malaysian rubber glove manufacturer WRP Asia Pacific Sdn. announced that it will gradually reduce its business operations starting this month, citing severe disruptions in the global energy and petrochemical supply chain due to the conflict in the Middle East. In a letter to customers dated March 31, WRP stated that it is facing "significant" increases in petrochemical-derived raw materials and chemical costs, uncertainties in procurement schedules, and increased demands from suppliers for advance payments. The letter stated, "These unforeseen circumstances have forced us to make difficult but necessary decisions to start the process of gradually winding down our business operations starting April 15." This announcement comes as the war led by the United States and Israel is causing the largest oil supply disruption in decades, leading to increased inflation, turmoil in financial markets, and raising costs of various goods from food to fuel. At the same time, industries such as glove manufacturers are facing risks as they rely on imported nitrile latex, the price of which is linked to the energy market.