SHOWA 6110PF EBT Biodegradable Nitrile Gloves Review (2025): 82% Biodegradable with Fentanyl and Chemo Resistance
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★★★★½ 4.5/5
Reviewed by Steven Eaton, WC Safety Editorial — 2025
| Thickness | 4 mil |
|---|---|
| Color | Green |
| Count | 100 gloves/box |
| Material | EBT Biodegradable Nitrile |
| Biodegradation | 82% in 386 days (ASTM D5511) |
| Powder | Powder-free |
| Latex | Latex-free |
| Standard | ASTM D6978-05, ASTM D6319 |
SHOWA's 6110PF EBT is the only biodegradable nitrile glove in this collection—82% biodegradable in 386 days under active landfill conditions per ASTM D5511—without sacrificing the ASTM D6978-05 fentanyl resistance and barrier performance that environmentally conscious clinical, EMS, and law enforcement operations require.
Why This Glove Stands Out
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Standard nitrile is a petroleum-derived synthetic that persists in landfills indefinitely. SHOWA's EBT (Eco Best Technology) formulation embeds organic additives that accelerate biodegradation under active landfill microbial conditions—82% breakdown in 386 days versus effectively zero for standard nitrile in the same environment. For facilities with sustainability mandates or ESG procurement criteria, this is the only exam-grade nitrile glove that addresses end-of-life impact.
What makes the 6110PF genuinely interesting is that it refuses the usual trade-off. Most "green" PPE asks the buyer to accept a performance or comfort penalty in exchange for a smaller footprint. The 6110PF does not: it carries the same exam-grade ASTM D6319 physical performance and the same ASTM D6978-05 chemotherapy and fentanyl permeation resistance as conventional clinical nitrile, then adds biodegradability on top. The decision to specify it therefore comes down to whether your organization values the end-of-life benefit, not whether you can afford to give up protection to get it. That is a meaningfully different conversation from most sustainable-PPE pitches, and it is the reason the glove earns its place in clinical, EMS, and evidence-handling workflows rather than only in marketing-led purchasing.
Performance and Fit
At 4 mil, the 6110PF EBT maintains exam-grade tactile sensitivity for clinical and field applications. SHOWA's manufacturing quality at this specification is well-regarded—the EBT formulation doesn't compromise the physical performance that makes standard SHOWA nitrile a trusted choice in industrial and healthcare environments globally. Green color differentiates these from standard blue or black nitrile in multi-glove dispensing systems.
ASTM D6978-05 compliance for fentanyl permeation resistance is the key safety specification beyond biodegradation. EMS teams, law enforcement evidence technicians, and first responders handling unknown substances need this validation—and sustainability-focused organizations can now procure fentanyl-resistant gloves that also meet their environmental commitments. The dual qualification of biodegradable + ASTM D6978 is unique in the disposable nitrile market.
The 4 mil gauge defines where this glove belongs. Four mil is the exam-glove sweet spot: thin enough for the fine motor control a clinician, phlebotomist, or evidence technician needs—palpating a vein, handling small instruments, bagging trace evidence—while still providing a reliable single-use barrier. It is deliberately not an industrial thickness. Anyone expecting it to stand in for a 6 or 8 mil shop glove will be disappointed, and that is by design rather than a defect. Within its intended clinical and field role, the 6110PF behaves like premium nitrile, with consistent donning, a secure beaded cuff, and tactile feedback that workers will not notice is "different" from the conventional gloves they are used to—exactly the outcome a sustainability swap needs to clear adoption hurdles on the floor.
Durability and Chemical Protection
The biodegradation mechanism requires active landfill conditions (anaerobic microbial environment)—composting and aerobic breakdown are not the mechanism. Stored properly (cool, dry, away from ozone), the gloves maintain their 3–5 year shelf life with no premature degradation—the EBT formulation is designed to activate only in landfill microbial conditions, not in a supply closet. Green color should be verified against your facility's color-coding protocols before ordering.
It helps to be specific about what ASTM D6978-05 does and does not cover. The standard is the permeation test method written specifically for gloves used to handle chemotherapy drugs; it is also the test USP General Chapter <800> references for the glove-permeation requirement in hazardous-drug compounding, and it is widely cited for resistance to fentanyl and related compounds encountered in emergency response and evidence handling. Meeting D6978-05 documents resistance to a defined panel of chemotherapy drugs under the test protocol—it is not a blanket "chemical-proof" rating, and it does not extend to industrial solvents or to immersion use. For those, a permeation-tested industrial chemical glove such as the Ansell TouchNTuff 93-800 is the right tool. Used as intended—clinical care, hazardous-drug handling, and field response—the 6110PF's certifications are exactly the ones those tasks call for, and the biodegradability changes none of that day-to-day performance.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 82% biodegradable in 386 days under ASTM D5511 active landfill conditions—unique in this collection
- ASTM D6978-05 fentanyl permeation resistance for EMS, law enforcement, and clinical applications
- SHOWA's manufacturing quality maintains standard exam-grade performance alongside the EBT formulation
- Green color provides visual differentiation in multi-glove dispensing environments
Cons
- 4 mil is appropriate for clinical/field use only—not for industrial tasks requiring 6–8 mil protection
- Green color may conflict with existing facility color-coding protocols
Who Should Buy This Glove
Order for environmentally-committed healthcare facilities, EMS agencies, law enforcement evidence units, and industrial operations with ESG procurement criteria that specify biodegradable materials where compatible with task performance requirements.
Who Should Skip It
Skip for tasks requiring 6–8 mil industrial protection—4 mil EBT is a clinical/field glove, not a heavy industrial one. Skip if green violates your facility's color-coding protocols.
Total Cost of Ownership
Biodegradable nitrile typically carries a modest premium over commodity exam gloves, and a fair total-cost view weighs that premium against what the organization is actually buying. For a clinical or EMS buyer, the relevant comparison is not against the cheapest available glove but against another fentanyl-resistant, ASTM D6978-05 exam glove—against that benchmark the EBT premium is small, and it purchases a documented reduction in landfill persistence for a high-volume single-use item. Where the value is clearest is in organizations that have already committed to a sustainability or ESG target: the 6110PF lets them hit that target on a major consumable without a second SKU for "protection" versus "green," because one glove does both. Where it is weakest is in price-only purchasing with no sustainability mandate, where a standard nitrile such as the MedPride Powder-Free Nitrile will cost less for the same hands-on use. The shelf life is the conventional 3–5 years, so the EBT formulation imposes no inventory penalty—boxes can be bought in volume and rotated normally.
How It Compares
No other glove in this collection is biodegradable—the SHOWA 6110PF EBT is unique in this regard. For fentanyl resistance without biodegradability, the Curad 150-count (ASTM D6978-05) and Medline Restore 250-count (ASTM D6978-05) are alternatives. For SHOWA's non-biodegradable industrial nitrile offerings, compare to standard SHOWA nitrile products.
Frame the choice by what you are optimizing. If end-of-life impact is a stated requirement, the 6110PF stands alone here. If you need fentanyl and chemo permeation resistance but biodegradability is not on the spec sheet, the Curad Nitrile Exam Gloves and the Medline Restore Nitrile deliver the same D6978-05 protection at higher box counts. If your governing need is dedicated USP 800 chemo handling, the Kimtech Purple Nitrile is the purpose-built pharmacy option. The 6110PF's distinction is that it is the only one of these that also degrades in landfill, which is why it wins specifically when sustainability and clinical-grade protection are both non-negotiable.
Related Nitrile Gloves
- Curad Nitrile Exam Gloves 150-Count (ASTM D6978 fentanyl-resistant)
- Medline Restore Nitrile 250-Count (ASTM D6978, USP 800)
- Kimtech Purple Nitrile USP 800 Chemo Gloves
- Ansell TouchNTuff 93-800 Chemical-Resistant Nitrile
- GLOVEWORKS Blue Nitrile (standard industrial)
- MedPride Powder-Free Nitrile Exam Gloves
- Inspire Cobalt Blue Nitrile Exam Gloves
- Ansell Microflex SU-690 Violet Nitrile
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'EBT' stand for?
Eco Best Technology—SHOWA's proprietary biodegradable additive formulation embedded in the nitrile compound that accelerates microbial breakdown in active landfill anaerobic conditions.
How fast does the SHOWA 6110PF biodegrade?
82% biodegradation in 386 days under ASTM D5511 test conditions—active anaerobic landfill microbial environment. Standard nitrile shows effectively zero biodegradation under the same conditions.
Will the glove degrade on the shelf?
No. The biodegradation mechanism requires active landfill microbial conditions (anaerobic bacteria). Stored properly (cool, dry, away from ozone and UV), these gloves maintain their standard 3–5 year shelf life with no premature degradation.
What is ASTM D5511?
The test standard for determining anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials under high-solids anaerobic-digestion conditions. SHOWA cites this standard to validate the EBT biodegradation rate in real-world landfill conditions.
Is ASTM D6978-05 compliance the same as USP 800?
ASTM D6978-05 is the permeation test standard required by USP 800. Gloves meeting ASTM D6978-05 satisfy the USP 800 glove permeation requirement. For full USP 800 compliance in pharmacy compounding, verify with your compliance officer.
Why is the glove green?
SHOWA chose green to differentiate the EBT biodegradable product line from standard blue and black nitrile. Green also aligns with environmental/sustainability signaling in some facility coding systems.
Are these gloves appropriate for EMS use?
Yes. ASTM D6978-05 fentanyl resistance makes these appropriate for EMS personnel who may contact unknown substances during emergency response. The biodegradable formulation adds sustainability without performance compromise.
Are these latex-free?
Yes. 100% nitrile (EBT formulation)—no natural rubber latex.
Are these powder-free?
Yes. Powder-free—designated 6110PF ('PF' = powder-free).
How many pairs per box?
50 pairs in a 100-count box.
What sizes are available?
S, M, L, XL. Ambidextrous.
Does biodegradable nitrile feel different from standard nitrile?
Very similar. SHOWA's EBT formulation is designed to maintain the standard tactile and performance characteristics of nitrile—the biodegradable additive does not materially change the in-use experience.
Can these be composted?
No. The biodegradation mechanism requires anaerobic landfill conditions, not aerobic composting. Home or commercial composting is not the disposal method for EBT gloves.
What is ASTM D6319?
The standard for nitrile examination gloves covering minimum physical performance and AQL defect rates for clinical use. The 6110PF EBT meets this standard in addition to the biodegradation and fentanyl resistance certifications.
Are there other SHOWA EBT products?
Yes. SHOWA offers EBT technology across multiple product lines including latex and other chemical-resistant gloves. The 6110PF EBT is the powder-free exam-grade nitrile entry in the EBT range.
Is the 6110PF a single-use disposable glove?
Yes. Like all exam-grade nitrile, the 6110PF EBT is intended for single-use. The biodegradable formulation changes only end-of-life behavior in landfill—it does not extend reuse or change how the glove is worn and discarded between patients or tasks.
Does choosing EBT reduce protection compared with standard nitrile?
No. The 6110PF EBT carries the same exam-grade certifications as conventional SHOWA nitrile—ASTM D6319 physical performance, ASTM D6978-05 chemotherapy and fentanyl permeation resistance—so the barrier is held to the same standard. The sustainability benefit is added on top, not traded against protection.
Who specifies biodegradable gloves and why?
Health systems, EMS agencies, universities, and corporate buyers with sustainability or ESG procurement criteria. Disposable nitrile is a high-volume, single-use waste stream, so switching to a glove that biodegrades in landfill is a measurable way to reduce end-of-life impact without compromising the clinical or field-safety performance their work requires.
The Bottom Line
SHOWA 6110PF EBT closes a real gap in sustainable PPE procurement—an exam-grade, fentanyl-resistant, biodegradable nitrile glove that performs to standard without requiring any operational compromise. For organizations with sustainability commitments and clinical or field safety requirements, it is a meaningful option.
About the Author
Steven Eaton is the founder of WC Safety and a hands-on industrial PPE specialist with over a decade of experience sourcing and evaluating disposable gloves, respirators, and hearing protection for industrial, medical, and food-service environments.
Testing Methodology
Reviews are based on manufacturer specification sheets, ASTM/EN certification documentation, published comparative testing, and direct product handling. Ratings reflect build quality, specification value, and suitability for the intended application.
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