“Vitrile” is a combination of the word “vinyl” and “nitrile”. Disposable vitrile gloves are made using a mixture of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and nitrile (sometimes called NBR, which stands for nitrile butadiene rubber). These gloves are sometimes called "vinyl/nitrile blend" gloves or "synthetic" gloves across different manufacturers.
The goal of vitrile gloves is to get the best characteristics of both materials in order to create a cost effective, durable glove that is suitable for food contact in restaurants. We succeeded in that goal with our new, soon to be released Vitri-Flex Pink Powder Free Vitrile Gloves! We will continue to carry our original vitrile gloves, the Vitri-Flex Black Powder Free Vitrile Gloves that meet the same standards as our newest addition.
Both our black and pink disposable vitrile gloves are FDA approved for food contact and are powder and latex free. They share some other benefits as well:

Cost-Effective

Pure nitrile gloves tend to be more expensive than vinyl gloves. By blending the two materials, manufacturers can reduce costs while maintaining some of the beneficial properties of nitrile. We get to pass this cost-effective practice onto you, the customer!

Enhanced Durability

One of the primary reasons for blending vinyl with nitrile is to improve the strength and durability of the glove compared to pure vinyl gloves. Nitrile is the stronger and more puncture resistant material of the two.

Reduced Allergic Reactions

Just like our vinyl and nitrile gloves, our vitrile gloves are latex-free. Providing latex-free gloves reduces the risk of allergic reactions that can occur with natural latex gloves. Latex allergies can range from anything from an uncomfortable rash type reaction on the hands to full-blown anaphylaxis.

Improved Flexibility and Comfort

The blend can offer a balance between the flexibility of vinyl and the strength of nitrile, potentially making the gloves more comfortable for extended wear. The added flexibility is ideal for working with knives either at home or in restaurant kitchens.

 

Conclusion

Whether we call the mix of nitrile and vinyl “vitrile” or “vinyl/nitrile”, or simply, “synthetic”, the result is the same. By mixing two types of synthetic materials, manufacturers create a new material that balances cost-effectiveness, strength, and durability.
Need help deciding which gloves work best for your business or at home? Take a look at our chemical resistance chart or connect with one of our friendly and knowledgeable customer service team members.