How are smoked rubber sheets made?

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truck tires being removed from their molds — rubber Truck tires being removed from their molds.

Smoked rubber sheets are a traditional form of natural rubber production. The process begins after the latex is collected from Hevea trees and coagulated, typically using acid.1

The resulting coagulum is pressed into thin sheets, which are then washed to remove impurities. To finish the production, these sheets are dried over a smoky wood fire. This smoking process serves two primary purposes:1
* It imparts a characteristic amber color to the rubber.1
* The smoke contains natural fungicides that protect the rubber against mold growth.1

Once dried, these sheets are packed into 110-kg (250-pound) bales for shipping.1