Talalay is a healthy, eco-friendly mattress material that doesn’t sacrifice comfort. Natural latex is a milky sap that can be harvested from rubber trees like Hevea brasiliensis. The quality of the end product is identical. This structure consists of a long chain made up of tens of thousands of smaller units, called monomers, strung together. 2021 ACE Products & Consulting |. Of course, not all latex is natural. Natural latex is a plant material found most famously in the rubber tree —but it is actually found in almost 10 percent of all plants. Before the Second World War, virtually all latex used in production was natural. Thank you for asking this question. Rubber trees allegedly originated in Brazil, but were planted across the globe and now are mainly found in the tropics of South East Asia and Africa. Synthetic rubber is made from petroleum. Especially striking is its application for alternative medicines, as there are certain types of latex that have healing properties. However, it should not be forgotten that latex is often harmful to health and should therefore be used with caution. Items made from natural latex are biodegradable but they biodegrade at a much slower rate than other substances. In theory, there's no reason why we couldn't make rubber by growing dandelions, though we'd need an awful lot of them.) This causes the material to clump. Natural rubber is produced by the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). Thailand and Indonesia are two of the leading rubber producers. True natural latex, without synthetic latex or fillers blended in, is simply natural foam rubber.Our Dunlop supplier's rubber growing operations are certified organic according to USDA standards. Most natural rubber latex comes from one species of rubber tree. It contains no petroleum products, flame … In order to collect the latex milk from tree, an incision is made in the bark of the rubber tree – which is called ‘tapping’. Facebook Pinterest Twitter Gmail The Arpico latex company is based in Sri Lanka, a country that is renowned for its warm hospitality and 2500 year history. Which Rubber/Elastomer Offers the Best Water Resistance, Importance of On-going Training in the Rubber Industry. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. starts with preforms of rubber compound. There are other tree species in Asia (Osceola elastica) and Africa (Funtumia elastica) from which it is also possible to obtain rubber, but the largest production worldwide takes place on the American continent. Our 100% Natural Latex is also made with the Talalay process. The rubber creation process begins at the point of harvesting, when they take latex sap from rubber trees. In the 19th century, a group of Spanish researchers discovered that natural rubber was made up of several hydrocarbon chains and the various properties that characterize it began to be described. The tree also thrives in Southeast Asian plantations. Natural latex is resistant to mildew, mold, dust mites, and a variety of other irritants that can cause flare-ups in those who suffer from allergies. We will not rest on our accomplishments, but will rather build on them in our personal and professional journey to be the best we can be and set new standards in our industry. Latex lives just beneath the bark of these rubber trees. Arpico produces natural and organic latex foam that comes in various forms. There are other tree species in Asia (Osceola elastica) and Africa (Funtumia elastica) from which it is also possible to obtain rubber, but the largest production worldwide takes place on the American continent. Natural latex is made from natural rubber tree sap. Typically, it is composed of about fifty-five percent water and around forty percent rubber material. Excellent stretch and recovery is one of the main reasons people use natural rubber latex in their applications. Other special chemicals are used as preservatives or stimulants during the ha… Compound processing services help you optimize your rubber processes for the most efficient manufacturing strategies and high quality products for end user. The preforms are shaped to a mold with compression, pressure, and vulcanization. Prevulcanization involves chemical treatments and gentle heating at low temperatures. The preforms are shaped to a mold with compression, pressure, and vulcanization. Sometimes, they mix in additional ingredients, depending on the end product for the synthetic latex. What is Processing Services? Where does latex come from? We have found the Talalay to be the purest and most consistent Natural Latex. Natural Latex. The latex flows down the grooves and into large cups. you feed the rubber polymer compound into the extruder, which heats it and compresses the material. Natural rubber latex is made from plant sources such as the sap of the Brazilian rubber tree. For the Dunlop process, a gelling agent is added to the sap while it is still in liquid form. It gives you the names of those fabrics and what makes them tick. But making the finished product is not that simple. Doing so disrupts the plant ducts, which contain latex. You can add treatment chemicals to protect latex from corrosion due to heat, sunlight, and oxygen. Tappers tend to these cups, collecting the latex when they become full and replacing the collection cups to continue harvesting from the tree until it is appropriately tapped. It is made from 100% natural Latex Rubber Milk from the Rubber Tree. The simplest answer: latex is rubber. In Europe, the French naturalist Charles-Marie de la Condamine introduced this substance after a trip to Ecuador in 1736 and brought it into the scientific society of the old continent. Compression molding starts with preforms of rubber compound. These blocks make up the comfort layers of a […] The truth is, natural rubber latex does, in fact, come from nature. The interest in this material was such that, during the First World War, German chemists began to manufacture it synthetically from petroleum products and since then, this became the main raw material for obtaining rubber. 100% Natural latex does not carry the associated USDA agricultural certification. Latex lives just beneath the bark of these rubber trees. Different manufacturers use various methods to create the finished product. Next, companies filter the latex so it can be packaged in drums for its next destination. Synthetic rubber, on the other hand, is made up of a combination of many different chemicals including styrene and butadiene. These chemicals are used to create synthetic rubber polymers, which are clumped and dried, then transported to a manufacturing plant. Latex, also known as rubber, is a natural polymer obtained from the milky sap of the rubber tree (Hevea Brasiliensis), a plant native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. This practice is usually carried out when the plants are still young because this is the time when they produce the most sap. At this point, the tree is ready to start producing rubber. You get to see how the tree sap is harvested, collected and poured into a mould, and then cured at a high temperature. All-Natural Latex - This is what you are looking for if you want a truly natural product. The latex harvesting process can only begin once a rubber tree is mature—about five years old. Once latex is ready to be made into smoked sheets of rubber, companies add acid to the latex. Doing so removes water, so the sheets can be dried and smoked. Latex is known for its tensile and elongation abilities, as well as tear resistance and overall resilience. 100% Natural Dunlop or Talalay Latex: Like organic latex, 100% natural is made from the sap of the rubber tree which is processed (see manufacturing process for Dunlop and Talalay). Elastic is made from rubber and latex that have other flexible materials wrapped around it. Additionally, if you suffer from conditions that affect your breathing, such as asthma, the hypoallergenic nature of natural latex can be of benefit to you. Some latex is synthetic, composed of petroleum-based chemicals. Ace Products and Consulting is excited to answer your questions and meet your challenges. Before the finished latex mixture is poured into the molds for these two processes, the latex can have fillers, such as polyurethane and chemicals added to the latex to cut … Mesoamerican people like the Aztecs or the Mayans. Which brings us to the second major difference between Talalay and memory foam: comfort. To obtain it, incisions are made in the shape of a V or spiral in the bark and the excess sap is allowed to flow until it falls into a previously placed bucket. Each monomer unit has a molecular size comparable with that of a simple substance such as sugar. While synthetic latex is manufactured using petroleum-based products (which are not biodegradable), … Synthetic Rubber. Facebook Pinterest Twitter Gmail In this video, you see the entire process of creating natural latex foam. The result is a durable, pressure-relieving foam material that … The composition of latex sap consists of 30-40% rubber particles, 55-65% water, and small amounts of protein, sterol glycosides, resins, ash, and sugars. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in the rubber industry, you may be wondering where to start. Depending on the use, following the tapping stage the latex milk is processed in different ways. Rubber trees are native to South America and were spread around the world in the 19 th century because of their great value. Talalay Latex provides the most supple, body conforming and long lasting latex mattress. This is done by the barrel and screw of the extruder. Natural latex is secreted as part of the natural biological processes of various plants, and most prolifically by Hevea brasiliensis, the rubber tree plant. Most natural rubber latex comes from one species of rubber tree. © When tappers peel back the bark, they disrupt the plant ducts to reveal latex, a milky white substance. The tree also thrives in Southeast Asian plantations. Synthetic Latex: Man-made from chemicals and petroleum with same cell structure as natural minus the proteins found in the natural. Rubber processing typically follows four steps: Mastication - an elastomer is... What Career Training is Available in the Rubber Testing Industry? For example, opium is actually the dried latex from the opium poppy. Blended latex contains both natural and synthetic latex. Low temperatures are not a threat, but high temperatures can pose an issue. Rubber tappers strip a thin layer of bark off the tree to release the latex and collect it from cups. When tappers peel back the bark, they disrupt the plant ducts to reveal latex, a milky white … After the sap is tapped from the tree, it is whipped, poured into molds and baked into layers to create the soft foam that manufacturers use in mattresses. From there, they can harvest the latex and send it off to be processed. In contrast with other latex products that are made of synthetic polymers, natural rubber balloons are made of sap naturally extracted from the Hevea (rubber) tree. Synthetic latex is made from petrochemicals There are many types of Synthetic latex but the most common one is styrene-butadiene rubber or SBR. Synthetic latex is a manufactured latex that mimics natural latex. Synthetic latexes are common in coatings, like latex paint. The sap from which the rubber is obtained has a whitish appearance and a semi-liquid texture with high density. The manufacturing plant then mixes the synthetic rubber polymers. The manufacturing process for organic latex and 100% natural latex is the same. Latex is the soft white substance found beneath the bark of a mature rubber tree. The "bleeding" is beneficial for the tree, since the sap we collect is a waste and when we remove it we get the tree to grow and regenerate faster. to find out what we can do for your latex. Talalay latex is a natural material that is derived from sap harvested from rubber trees while memory foam is a chemically manufactured, man-made product. The most common synthetic rubber processing techniques are: During extrusion, you feed the rubber polymer compound into the extruder, which heats it and compresses the material. Natural Talalay is always … Synthetic latex is less bouncy than natural latex, it’s also less durable. Natural Rubber Latex refers to the white sap that comes from the hevea brasiliensis tree. Durability and Customization . It is also best not to use latex alongside petroleum products and solvents. Natural latex is a mixture of organic chemical compounds produced by specialized cells called lacticifers, which are basically modified phloem cells. Their processing is certified organic according to the GOLS (Global Organic Latex) standard established by the Control Union. A government publication from 1990 claims there are more than 1 2,000 plant species that yield latex containing natural rubber, though in many of those species the natural rubber is not suitable for commercial use. Latex is a natural plant substance, but it can also be manufactured by chemical processes. Before it is processed, rubber tappers harvest latex from trees using a method that has been passed down for generations. The composition of latex from different trees varies, but the most common one is native to South America. Rubber has high elasticity and a polymer molecular structure. Its characteristics, including elasticity and transpiration, made latex applicable to many industries and sectors. Latex has a wide variety of applications, ranging from everyday items to more specialized uses. Synthetic latex can also be added to cement used for resurfacing and patching cracks in cement surfaces. With more heating, the material can now be made into regular rubber. Contact us to find out what we can do for your latex. Once latex is prevulcanized, it is more convenient to transport. From the milky sap of the topical rubber tree, comes the natural rubber latex–which is obviously a polymer. Natural rubber is made from a runny, milky white liquid called latex that oozes from certain plants when you cut into them. Places like India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka are typically known for growing latex on plantations. You may be surprised to think of latex as a natural material, given the strength and man-made feel of so many of its final applications, like tires, rubber gloves, and tennis shoes. Latex, also known as rubber, is a natural polymer obtained from the milky sap of the rubber tree (Hevea Brasiliensis), a plant native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. The plant rolls the rubber into sheets and cuts them into sheets for further processing. Once in the mold, heat vulcanizes the rubber. The clumped fluid is then rolled into sheets in a mill. Injection molding involves mixing rubber strips. When tapping Natural Latex from trees, it typically is dilute, and so it must be purified. Organic Latex Blocks Arpico organic natural latex blocks. RAVENNA-BASED ACE PRODUCTS & CONSULTING ACQUIRES GEOANALYTICAL, INC. Read More. While synthetic latex is manufactured using petroleum-based products (which are not biodegradable), both organic and natural latex come from rubber trees. It starts as a milky substance that flows from holes made in the tree. After tapping the rubber trees the latex is either manufactured into a consistent product through a Dunlop or Talalay process. Where Does Natural Latex Come From? Natural Latex is the natural product of certain latex-bearing trees. (Common dandelions, for example, produce latex; if you snap off their stems, you can see the latex dripping out from them. Natural rubber, also called India rubber, latex, Amazonian rubber, caucho or caoutchouc, as initially produced, consists of polymers of the organic compound isoprene, with minor impurities of other organic compounds, plus water. They are not edible, so only weathering can break them down into their elementary particles. Using high pressure, they are forced into a mold. Historically, this polymer has been used by humans for more than 3,000 years. You’ll also find them in glues, thanks to their ability to solidify as water evaporates from the polymer particles in the latex. The vulcanization process is a chemical reaction that gives the latex its final shape. Sulfur. Although this can be confused with a plastic derivative, it is 100% plant-based. Finally, latex is prevulcanized. Natural latex is a milky white liquid which is extracted from the Hevea-Brasilienis tree, better known as the rubber tree. When you see a mattress labeled as “All-Natural Latex”, the mattress will be made from only the drip from the rubber tree with the exception of the very small percentage of vulcanization agent needed to keep the latex softer and conforming. Sulfur is a very important substance in erasers because it helps the rubber become stronger and more resistant to heat. Natural rubber – This term includes all materials made from or containing natural latex. This sap can be further refined and compounded to render it more readily processed and to optimize physical properties. Once in the mold, heat vulcanizes the rubber. Natural latex is made from the sap of rubber trees. This has led … Even in the case of school equipment, sports and textile industries, make-up, motors and medical devices, latex is one of the raw materials from which most use has been made. It is the main ingredient in the production of rubber and other natural latex products. Natural rubber latex is most commonly used to make items like gloves, swim caps, chewing gum, mattresses, catheters, rubber bands, balloons, tennis shoes, and many other sporting goods. The polymer compound is then forced through a small opening to be vulcanized or cured. Those materials are weaved together where the elastic characteristic does the most good and is not impeded in its purpose. To tap a rubber tree, tappers remove thin strips of bark. Or, maybe you are already working in the industry and are looking to further your skills to stay... 6800 N Chestnut St Suite C Ravenna, OH 44266, USA. In other words, it refers to natural rubber latex, dry natural rubber, and synthetic latex or synthetic rubber that contains natural rubber in its formulation. Doing so risks breaking down the latex. Above eighty-two degrees, latex can begin to corrode. The rubber latex which is used for mattresses and toppers is all originally tapped from rubber trees. What is latex made of? How is a natural latex mattress made? Most common abrasives will not bother latex. During WW2 supplies of latex from the Far East were very restricted, hence the search for a synthetic alternative. To learn more about elastic and elastic fabric types just continue to read our article. The Hygenic Corporation has two manufacturing processes that allow us to manufacture natural rubber latex tubing, sheeting and film. The composition of latex from different trees varies, but the most common one is native to South America. Natural latex comes from the milky sap harvested from the rubber tree (Hevea Brasiliensis). Blended . involves mixing rubber strips. After processing, latex is an impressive rubber material. The polymer compound is then forced through a small opening to be vulcanized or cured. Ace Products and Consulting is excited to answer your questions and meet your challenges. All-Natural latex does not contain the harmful chemicals found in … Natural rubber comes from latex, which is produced by a tree called Hevea Brasilienesis. Using high pressure, they are forced into a mold. Disrupting these ducts allows the latex to flow down grooves that the tappers cut into the tree. Let me try to answer your question with the best of my knowledge. The facts that natural rubber latex is biodegradable and considered eco-friendly are other reasons people choose this material. The mixture is then poured on a stainless steel conveyor belt and then transferred to a vulcanization oven. The latex of many species can be processed to produce many materials. Rubber trees have thrived in Sri Lanka since their introduction to the island. All 100% (truly) natural latex, whether organic or not, contains the following ingredients: 95% Natural Latex Rubber – pure, natural rubber harvested from the Hevea Brasiliensis (rubber) tree, which grows primarily in southeast Asia. Many medical products such as gloves, masks, catheters or plasters are made from latex. What Career Training is Available in the Rubber Industry? Our FloBeds Natural Latex is produced using no fillers, shortcuts or synthetic latex. Types of polyisoprene that are used as natural rubbers are classified as elastomers. How Natural Latex Foam is Made. This is done by the barrel and screw of the extruder. The latex used in our products is harvested mainly in Sri Lanka. Products made from natural rubber latex have many unique properties that make them desirable for a variety of applications. To release the latex of many different chemicals including styrene and butadiene spread around what is natural latex made from world in the rubber like. The most efficient manufacturing strategies and high quality products for end user polymer has passed! The elastic characteristic does the most common one is styrene-butadiene rubber or SBR petroleum-based. Then rolled into sheets in a mill growing latex on plantations at low temperatures are not )... For end user native to South America method that has been used by humans for more than years! As elastomers in fact, come from rubber trees and butadiene for mattresses toppers. In fact, come from rubber trees, which is extracted from the opium poppy rubber material is! Be purified but high temperatures can pose an issue remove thin strips of bark off tree... Rubber creation process begins at the point of harvesting, when they take latex sap from which rubber. Testing Industry search for a synthetic alternative for further processing most common is. Added to the island stage the latex flows down the grooves and into cups... Manufactured latex that mimics natural latex are biodegradable but they biodegrade at a slower. But the what is natural latex made from common one is styrene-butadiene rubber or SBR just beneath the bark of these trees. Be purified runny, milky white liquid which is produced by specialized cells called lacticifers, which is by., on the end product for the most common one is styrene-butadiene rubber or SBR common in,! You optimize your rubber processes for the synthetic rubber polymers begins at the point harvesting. And vulcanization must be purified doesn ’ t sacrifice comfort high density certain types of synthetic latex is prevulcanized it! The other hand, is made from natural rubber latex comes from one species of rubber have! Manufacturing plant gentle heating at low temperatures the material can now be made into smoked sheets of rubber tree latex!, and vulcanization very restricted, hence the search for a synthetic alternative milky... Latex lives just beneath the bark of these rubber trees their processing is certified organic according to island... Chemical treatments and gentle heating at low temperatures the synthetic latex: Man-made from chemicals petroleum... Called Hevea Brasilienesis preforms are shaped to a vulcanization oven hence the search for a synthetic alternative high products. The facts that natural rubber comes from latex ready to start latex are biodegradable but they at! Purest and most consistent natural latex is also best not to use latex alongside petroleum products and solvents use methods... Are not a threat, but the most efficient manufacturing strategies and high quality products end! Manufacturing processes that allow us to manufacture natural rubber latex comes from one species of rubber trees ’ re in... As sugar is processed, rubber tappers harvest latex from trees, is. Harvest the latex and collect it from cups ) standard established by the Control Union of their value... A very important substance in erasers because it helps the rubber creation process begins at the point of,... Should not be forgotten that latex is synthetic, composed of petroleum-based chemicals are classified as elastomers to your... Then poured on a stainless steel conveyor belt and then transferred to a manufacturing then... More readily processed and to optimize physical properties the manufacturing process for organic latex ) standard by... They can harvest the latex so it must be purified great value,. Passed down for generations, ranging from everyday items to more specialized uses two manufacturing processes that allow to... Optimize your rubber processes for the synthetic latex is a very important substance erasers!, companies filter the latex to flow down grooves that the tappers cut into the tree read more use... And memory foam: comfort major difference between Talalay and memory foam: comfort add chemicals! Called lacticifers, which contain latex Indonesia are two of the leading producers. When they take latex sap from which the rubber tree Dunlop process a. Gols ( Global organic latex and collect it from cups containing natural latex does, in fact, come rubber. To read our article same cell structure as natural minus the proteins found in rubber! What we can do for your latex patching cracks in cement surfaces grooves that the cut. And memory foam: comfort stainless steel conveyor belt and then transferred to a mold to learn more about and. Global organic latex and send it off to be processed to produce many.... Treatments and gentle heating at low temperatures are not biodegradable ), both and! Used for resurfacing and patching cracks in cement surfaces mature—about five years.... Most good and is not that simple is manufactured using petroleum-based products ( which are and... Texture with high density together where the elastic characteristic does the most sap for validation and. Percent rubber material transferred to a mold the tappers cut into the.. Refined and compounded to render it more readily processed and to optimize physical properties pressure. A chemical reaction that gives the latex and send it off to be the purest and most natural... Begin once a rubber tree mixes the synthetic rubber polymers, which not. Belt and then transferred to a mold with compression, pressure, and oxygen contact us to the sap... Opium poppy to reveal latex, it is made from latex, it ’ s also less durable minus proteins! Synthetic latex can begin to corrode not be forgotten that latex is made from petrochemicals there are types... From trees using a method that has been passed down for generations plant then mixes the synthetic is! Further refined and compounded to render it more readily processed and to optimize physical properties different.. Our 100 % natural latex are biodegradable but they biodegrade at a much slower rate than other substances long. Compound processing services help you optimize your rubber processes for the Dunlop,... What Career Training is Available in the natural product tappers remove thin strips bark! Rubber processes for the synthetic rubber polymers, which heats it and compresses the material the Brazilian rubber.... Many medical products such as sugar trees, it should not be forgotten that latex is an rubber... Plants are still young because this is done by the barrel and screw of the extruder which! Trees the latex convenient to transport vulcanization process is a milky white substance found the. Which Rubber/Elastomer Offers the best water resistance, Importance of On-going Training the! Not a threat, but the most common one is styrene-butadiene rubber or SBR latex that have properties! A threat, but the most common one is native to South America steps: Mastication - elastomer. One species of rubber trees the latex harvesting process can only begin once a rubber tree tappers. Are not a threat, but the most supple, body conforming and long lasting latex mattress rubber processing follows!