natural rubber

Natural rubber is an elastic substance derived from the latex of certain tropical plants, most notably the Hevea brasiliensis tree. This latex is a milky fluid containing elastomers, which are large molecules that can be stretched and return to their original shape.12

The Hevea brasiliensis tree, native to South America, is now widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions, especially in Southeast Asia and western Africa. When the bark of the tree is cut, it exudes latex, which is then collected and processed. The rubber content in the latex is about 30 percent.234

After collection, rubber is recovered from the latex through coagulation, often using formic acid, resulting in crumbs that are then washed, dried, and compacted into blocks for shipping. About 10 percent of natural rubber is shipped as concentrated latex, used for products like surgical gloves. Natural rubber is distinguished from synthetic rubber, which is derived from petroleum or natural gas.451