Kossan Holdings' strategic investor role to fuel CARE Latex growth as a reputable M'sian condom brand
CARE Latex Sdn Bhd, Malaysia's leading condom brand, has unveiled a strategic partnership with Kossan Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd, the investment arm of Malaysia's Big Four glove maker Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd.
With Kossan Holdings emerging as CARE Latex's third-largest investor, the partnership will strengthen the brand's strategic foundation and supporting its long-term growth ambitions in the global sexual wellness market.
CARE Latex's impressive growth trajectory – highlighted by a 1,399% increase in revenue and a 1,615% surge in unit sales from 2018 to 2024 – underscores strong consumer trust and positions the brand as a regional frontrunner and emerging global player.
More broadly, the strategic partnership with Kossan Holdings marks a pivotal milestone in CARE Latex's pre-IPO (initial public offering) journey.
It is poised to enhance CARE Latex's ecosystem by accelerating product innovation, improving inventory management, expanding research & development (R&D) capabilities and broadening market reach through new distribution channels.
Beyond market expansion, the collaboration also aligns with CARE Latex's commitment to public health, particularly in addressing the urgent issue of HIV prevention among Southeast Asian youth.
According to UNAIDS 2023, one in four new HIV cases in the region involves individuals aged 15 to 24 with 93% linked to unprotected sex.
In Malaysia, the Health Ministry's Global AIDS Monitoring Report 2024 pointed to 32% of new HIV infections occurring in this age group yet condom usage remains below 40%.
'Kossan Holdings' emergence as strategic investor enhances our capacity to scale production, drive innovation and deliver our mission,' projected CARE Latex's founder Bonn Lam Chee Fong (main image, left).
Together, we're building a globally respected Malaysian brand that stands for quality, innovation and social responsibility.'
Reflecting its humble origin, Lam recounted how CARE Latex's journey started with a simple yet powerful insight – if the world's leading condom brands source their latex from Malaysia, why not build a world-class brand here at home?
'With Malaysia ranking as the sixth-largest producer of natural latex, we're leveraging local strengths to accelerate our R&D pipeline to launch Malaysia's first microbial barrier condom which is designed with anti-microbial and antioxidant properties for enhanced protection.'
CARE Latex is currently the only Malaysian condom brand with a retail presence in both Singapore and South Korea with distribution made through major convenience store chains such as Olive Young and GS25 which has over 17,300 outlets globally.
Its future expansion markets include Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macau, New Zealand and the US.
The company's growth strategy remains anchored in broadening retail reach, advancing product innovation and exploring acquisitions of local brands.
Multiple new product lines in development to support this continued growth include clinical and personal lubricants, pregnancy and HIV test kits, pleasure devices, and wellness supplements. – May 28, 2025
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