Where does latex come from?
Latex is a natural product that we harvest from the rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis, in liquid form. It is a sticky, elastic liquid that the Hevea produces primarily to protect itself from insects. Excess latex oozes out of the plant’s trunk like resin. It is not only the Hevea brasiliensis rubber tree that produces this precious liquid, but an entire family of plants, which accounts for 14% of all tropical plant species. For these plants, liquid latex serves as an important source of protection against animals, particularly herbivores and insects. In fact, latex acts as a repellent against animals that feed on the plant. But some insects, in this struggle for survival, have developed an additional ability: they sever the plant’s “arteries” that carry the latex (much like humans do when tapping the tree). By doing this before feeding, they ensure they get a clean meal. However, most insects that attempt to feed on these plants end up getting trapped, or fail to even reach their feeding goal, finding the latex inedible.
Other plants that produce latex
In nature, however, latex is also found in non-tropical species. It is estimated that, within the division of angiosperms (the most evolved plants, those that produce seeds), latex is present in 10% of all species. It is, in fact, a liquid composed of water combined with a variety of substances, such as proteins, enzymes, starches, sugars, resins, gum, oils, alkaloids, and tannins. This emulsion changes state and becomes gelatinous when exposed to air.
White, yellow, orange, or red—liquid latex can take on many different shades of color: much depends on the specific variety of the plant from which it comes, but the vast majority is white.
The micro-lattice and the lattice structure
Micro-latex has nothing to do with Hevea brasiliensis. It is a metallic material—the lightest metallic material in the world—one hundred times lighter than polystyrene. Despite its weight, it is incredibly strong, which is precisely why it has been compared to natural latex. It is a material used, for example, in the aerospace industry: to produce and build vehicles that, while still running on fuel, are lighter, resulting in significant cost savings in terms of structural design.
There is also what is known in English as a “lattice structure”—an ordered network of points arranged to form a crystal—which has nothing to do with Hevea. Ultralight metal lattices have a low density due precisely to their metal-foam-like structure, which features numerous pores.
The Extraction of Liquid Latex
Hevea brasiliensis is a plant that can grow up to thirty meters tall. It is recognizable by its characteristic three-lobed leaves. The Hevea brasiliensis tree is native to the Amazon rainforest. Initially, therefore, the economy tied to rubber tapping brought prosperity to those Brazilian cities located in strategic positions.
Widely known as the rubber tree, even in its smaller, shrub-like form, Hevea can still reach a height of two meters. Some people use it as a houseplant, but it requires space and plenty of light.
To extract the latex, it is first necessary to select trees at the right stage of maturity, then make an incision in the bark. This is done using a special technique that ensures no damage is done to the plant, which can be tapped hundreds of times over at least thirty years.
This, broadly speaking, is the life cycle of the rubber tree:
During the first five or six years of its life, the plant grows and no extraction takes place;
Starting in the 6th year, the drawing begins;
Peak productivity is reached at around 12 years of age;
The trees continue to produce latex until they are about 30 years old:
This species is very productive: about three kilograms can be harvested from each plant each year.
Once the liquid latex begins to ooze from the plant, it is collected in a container placed at the base of the trunk. This is an ideal location—the milky liquid flows slowly and steadily down the trunk, oozing out in abundance from the holes that have been drilled into it.
The Properties of the Natural Lattice and Its Use
The properties of high-quality latex are evident from the very beginning. When it gushes from the Hevea tree trunk, you can see the material’s typically sticky and elastic—yet at the same time soft—texture.
Latex is called “natural” because it possesses natural qualities that are extremely useful to humans. It is an antibacterial, anti-mold, and fungicidal substance. This makes it widely used in the manufacture of numerous healthcare products.
However, when deciding to use this material, one cannot overlook its elasticity. It can be deformed in various ways—by stretching and elongating it, or by applying pressure. In any case, latex will always return to its original shape. This is why it is also durable—because it is capable of maintaining its characteristics unchanged over time, even with heavy use.
In this case, we can truly speak of eco-sustainability. Not only is it a naturally derived material, but it also requires no chemical additives during processing. Such additives would otherwise remain in the final product, posing a toxic risk and polluting the environment. Finally, as a testament to its eco-sustainability, latex can be recycled.
It is precisely these characteristics that make it useful for the production of everyday medical supplies, such as compression bandages, tourniquets, catheters, and gloves. The same applies to products for infants, from toys to diapers themselves.
Beyond medical supplies, latex is everywhere. It’s found in clothing, as well as in chewing gum. There’s also liquid latex that can be used for body painting. But the quintessential latex product—the one everyone knows—is the mattress and pillows.
Natural Lattice and Synthetic Lattice
There is only one kind of latex: natural latex, which is the only one and the most highly regarded because it guarantees the highest quality.
Synthetic latex looks exactly the same but is fundamentally different and lacks the health benefits of the natural product.
Nowadays, the market offers just about everything, including hybrid products that mix organic latex with other substances to modify it or “stretch” it. Manufacturers can adjust its composition to achieve a texture better suited to their intended purpose. The use of even a small percentage of a non-natural product is a clear sign of cost-cutting. All synthetic variants of latex mattresses, which are marketed as hypoallergenic, do not guarantee the health benefits and support of a 100% natural product.
What is latex foam?
When it comes to latex for mattresses, you may come across the term “latex foam”—but what exactly is it?
This term does not directly refer to whether the rubber is natural or synthetic, since there is latex foam made from organic latex and latex foam made from synthetic latex. Instead, this terminology refers to the manufacturing method. To make the latex “foamy,” air is added before curing. This process makes the material much softer, creating air bubbles within it. With this clarification, it becomes clear that there is very little difference between latex foam and latex; the only difference lies in the presence of air at the raw material level. At the level of the final product, however, there is a difference: when compressed, they behave differently, which is why they provide different levels of body support.
Managing the lattice cycle between mattresses and clothing
Among the various uses, let’s briefly touch on the clothing industry. You can buy sheets of latex or rolls of latex by the meter, but what are they used for? Since it’s such a versatile material, it’s used to make clothing on your own, without a sewing machine. All you need to do is use latex glue to assemble the garments, or solvent-based latex adhesives. The only precaution to take is to avoid exposing it to too much light; when not being worn, the garments should be stored in complete darkness. Latex clothing should be washed by hand, using a small amount of lukewarm water and a little specialized detergent, and allowed to air dry thoroughly.
As for the lining, it all depends on the level of purity and the breathability of the material. In any case, it’s a good idea to open the cover at least once a month to expose it to air and allow any moisture to evaporate. To clean a natural latex mattress, there’s no need to wet it directly; simply wipe it down with a cloth lightly dampened with a pinch of baking soda. Afterward, let it dry for at least half a day.
Once the life cycle of a garment, mattress, or any other latex item has come to an end, it must be disposed of. If it is made of organic latex, such as that found in Kipli products, disposal is easy because natural latex is biodegradable and can therefore be composted.
If, on the other hand, it is made of synthetic latex, you will need to dispose of the mattress through the bulky waste disposal process.