NATURAL LATEX

Natural Latex is a stable dispersion (emulsion) of polymer microparticles in water.
Natural Latexes are found in nature, but synthetic Natural Latexes are common as well.

Natural Latex as found in nature is a milky fluid found in 10% of all flowering plants (angiosperms).
Natural Latex is a complex emulsion consisting of proteins, alkaloids, starches, sugars, oils, tannins, resins, and gums that coagulate on exposure to air. 
Natural Latex is usually exuded after tissue injury. 
In most plants, Natural Latex is white, but some have yellow, orange, or scarlet Natural Latex. 
Since the 17th century, Natural Latex has been used as a term for the fluid substance in plants, deriving from the Latin word for "liquid".
Natural Latex serves mainly as defense against herbivorous insects.
Natural Latex is not to be confused with plant sap; it is a distinct substance, separately produced, and with separate functions.

The word Natural Latex is also used to refer to natural latex rubber, particularly non-vulcanized rubber. Such is the case in products like Latex gloves, latex condoms and latex clothing.

Originally, the name given to latex by indigenous Equator tribes who cultivated the rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis, was "caoutchouc", from the words caa ('tear') and ochu ('tree'), because of the way it is collected.

Biology
Articulated laticifers
The cells (laticifers) in which latex is found make up the laticiferous system, which can form in two very different ways. 
In many plants, the laticiferous system is formed from rows of cells laid down in the meristem of the stem or root. 
The cell walls between these cells are dissolved so that continuous tubes, called Natural Latex vessels, are formed. 
Since these vessels are made of many cells, they are known as articulated laticifers. 
This method of formation is found in the poppy family and in the rubber trees (Para rubber tree, members of the family Euphorbiaceae, members of the mulberry and fig family, such as the Panama rubber tree Castilla elastica), and members of the family Asteraceae. 
For instance, Parthenium argentatum the guayule plant, is in the tribe Heliantheae; other latex-bearing Asteraceae with articulated laticifers include members of the Cichorieae, a clade whose members produce latex, some of them in commercially interesting amounts. 
This includes Taraxacum kok-saghyz, a species cultivated for Natural Latex production.

Non-articulated laticifers
In the milkweed and spurge families, on the other hand, the laticiferous system is formed quite differently. 
Early in the development of the seedling, Natural Latex cells differentiate, and as the plant grows these Natural Latex cells grow into a branching system extending throughout the plant. 
In many euphorbs, the entire structure is made from a single cell – this type of system is known as a non-articulated laticifer, to distinguish it from the multi-cellular structures discussed above. 
In the mature plant, the entire laticiferous system is descended from a single cell or group of cells present in the embryo.

The laticiferous system is present in all parts of the mature plant, including roots, stems, leaves, and sometimes the fruits. Natural Latex is particularly noticeable in the cortical tissues. 
Natural Latex is usually exuded as a white liquid, but is some cases it can be clear, yellow or red, as in Cannabaceae.

Productive species
Natural Latex is produced by 20,000 flowering plant species from over 40 families. 
These include both dicots and monocots. 
Natural Latex has been found in 14 percent of tropical plant species, as well as six percent of temperate plant species.
Several members of the fungal kingdom also produce Natural Latex upon injury, such as Lactarius deliciosus and other milk-caps. 
This suggests it is the product of convergent evolution and has been selected for on many separate occasions.

Defense function
Natural Latex functions to protect the plant from herbivores. The idea was first proposed in 1887 by Joseph F. James, who noted that latex

carries with it at the same time such disagreeable properties that it becomes a better protection to the plant from enemies than all the thorns, prickles, or hairs that could be provided. 
In this plant, so copious and so distasteful has the sap become that it serves a most important purpose in its economy.

Evidence showing this defense function include the finding that slugs will eat leaves drained of their Natural Latex but not intact ones, that many insects sever the veins carrying Natural Latex before they feed, and that the Natural Latex of Asclepias humistrata (sandhill milkweed) kills by trapping 30% of newly hatched monarch butterfly caterpillars

Other evidence is that latex contains 50–1000× higher concentrations of defense substances than other plant tissues. 
These toxins include ones that are also toxic to the plant and consist of a diverse range of chemicals that are either poisonous or "antinutritive". 
Natural Latex is actively moved to the area of injury; in the case of Cryptostegia grandiflora, this can be more than 70 cm.

The clotting property of Natural Latex is functional in this defense since it limits wastage and its stickiness traps insects and their mouthparts.

While there exist other explanations for the existence of Natural Latex including storage and movement of plant nutrients, waste, and maintenance of water balance that "[e]ssentially none of these functions remain credible and none have any empirical support".

Applications
The Natural Latex of many species can be processed to produce many materials.

Balatá and gutta percha latex contain an inelastic polymer related to rubber.
Chicle and jelutong tree latex was used in chewing gum.
Personal and healthcare products
Natural rubber is the most important product obtained from latex; more than 12,000 plant species yield Natural Latex containing rubber, though in the vast majority of those species the rubber is not suitable for commercial use.
This Natural Latex is used to make many other products including mattresses, gloves, swim caps, condoms, catheters and balloons.

Opium and opiates
Dried Natural Latex from the opium poppy is called opium, the source of several useful analgesic alkaloids such as codeine, thebaine, and morphine, the latter two of which can then further be used in the synthesis and manufacture of other (typically stronger) opioids for medicinal use, and of heroin for the illegal drug trade. 
The opium poppy is also the source of medically useful non-analgesic alkaloids, such as papaverine and noscapine.

Clothing
Main article: Latex clothing
Natural Latex is used in many types of clothing. Worn on the body (or applied directly by painting), it tends to be skin-tight, producing a "second skin" effect.

Industrial and biological applications from synthetic latexes
Synthetic latexes are used in coatings (e.g., latex paint) and glues because they solidify by coalescence of the polymer particles as the water evaporates. 
These synthetic latexes therefore can form films without releasing potentially toxic organic solvents in the environment. 
Other uses include cement additives and to conceal information on scratchcards. 
Natural Latex, usually styrene-based, is also used in immunoassays.

Natural latex
This is deemed to be an 80/20 mix. Eighty percent natural latex and 20 percent synthetic latex. 
Natural latex is its pure form has a soft density and additives are used to firm it up rather than increase the amount of natural latex. 
The raw materials are expensive and increasing its density means you need more of it hence the higher price tag when compared to synthetic latex. 
Quite simply put, it’s a more expensive raw material which you need more of to get the density for a mattress.

100% natural latex
This has about 90-94% Natural Latex and 6%-10% forming additives and SBR (styrene butadiene) latex which is synthetic. 
Many companies will claim to be natural latex but you need to query the amounts. 
There are very few natural latex mattresses, many other companies claim natural latex but don’t specify the amounts. 
This is the most expensive type of latex and the best quality. 
It provides the best comfort and feel compared to other latex blends and should feel smooth as you mould into it.

It’s incredibly breathable removing the heat issue and doesn’t suffer from potential off-gassing issues.  
We offer a range of 100% natural latex products which very few UK retailers offer.  
These top end latex mattresses are fully turnable and have a solid core.

Sometimes you may see a stamp on the latex with the percentage blend such as the image below from one of our Fusion solid core latex mattresses as an example.  
This won’t be found on all latex as its only stamped on the end of rolls.

Usually, there is only a handful of stamps per run or roll of latex foam this is to identify it from other blends.  
Once it has been cut into mattresses it can be hard to see quickly which blend it is.  
If in doubt always ask the retailer who should be able to tell you with confidence which blends it is.  
Not every mattress will contain this stamp, only those cut from the end of a roll the above image is an example of the end stamps used.

WHAT IS 100% NATURAL LATEX

Natural latex is produced from raw latex harvested from rubber trees, not synthetic latex which is man-made from petroleum, synthetic latex is addressed in a different blog post (link). 
When latex foam is made using only natural latex with zero synthetic latex added it’s referred to as 100% natural latex. 

To be completely transparent, even though 100% natural latex is used there are other ingredients such as soaps and curing agents necessary to turn the raw natural latex into supple foam. 
These ingredients aren’t toxic or harmful and are different from “fillers” like clay which are used to dilute and extend the volume of latex.

FILLERS… IN 100% NATURAL LATEX
Some latex contains “filler” to extend the amount of natural latex and lower the cost. 
Unfortunately, this dramatically lowers the quality and durability. 
It’s like watering down juice to get more servings. 
Most won’t tell you it’s in there but still claim 100% natural. 
They can do this because they don’t use any synthetic latex, technically they’re correct, but it isn’t right unless it’s clearly stated and you understand what you’re buying.

When shopping for 100% natural latex you want to be sure that the retailer clearly states they don’t use fillers and look for certifications from recognized organizations such as Oeko-Tex, LGA and Control Union to be sure the 100% natural latex offered is as healthy as claimed. 
100% natural latex without verified certifications could contain chemicals you’re trying to avoid, and you’d never know it.

THE NATURAL WAY TO SLEEP
Natural latex is an innovative material, derived from the sap of Hevea Brasiliensis better known as rubber trees. They are grown in sustainably managed plantations around the world.

EVERY DROP COUNTS
A rubber tree only produces 27ml of latex daily, which means that perfecting comfort takes time. In fact, it takes one tree over 500 days to produce enough latex for a single mattress.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
Latex is one of the most eco-friendly mattress fillings on the market. This is because rubber trees actively purify over 90 million tons of carbon dioxide a year.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Latex naturally contains anti-allergenic, anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties. Our unique manufacturing process ensures that all these characteristics are carried through into the finished product.

BREATHABLE
The open-cell structure of Dunlopillo latex consists of millions of interconnecting microscopic air bubbles, which promote healthy air circulation. Natural movement during the night works to ventilate the mattress, keeping both you and your bed at a consistent and comfortable temperature.

PRESSURE RELIEVING
With its unrivalled elasticity, Dunlopillo latex provides instant pressure relief and encourages a healthy blood supply to your muscles so you awake feeling refreshed and revitalised.

What is latex made of?
What is latex made of? The simplest answer: latex is rubber. 
Typically, it is composed of about fifty-five percent water and around forty percent rubber material.

Latex is the soft white substance found beneath the bark of a mature rubber tree. 
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.

The truth is, natural rubber latex does, in fact, come from nature. 
Before it is processed, rubber tappers harvest latex from trees using a method that has been passed down for generations.

Where does latex come from?
Most natural rubber latex comes from one species of rubber tree. 
The composition of latex from different trees varies, but the most common one is native to South America. 
The tree also thrives in Southeast Asian plantations.

Latex lives just beneath the bark of these rubber trees. 
When tappers peel back the bark, they disrupt the plant ducts to reveal latex, a milky white substance.
From there, they can harvest the latex and send it off to be processed.

How is latex harvested?
The latex harvesting process can only begin once a rubber tree is mature—about five years old. 
At this point, the tree is ready to start producing rubber.

To tap a rubber tree, tappers remove thin strips of bark. 
Doing so disrupts the plant ducts, which contain latex. 
Disrupting these ducts allows the latex to flow down grooves that the tappers cut into the tree. 
The latex flows down the grooves and into large cups.

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.

How is latex processed into rubber?
The rubber creation process begins at the point of harvesting, when they take latex sap from rubber trees.

Next, companies filter the latex so it can be packaged in drums for its next destination.

Once latex is ready to be made into smoked sheets of rubber, companies add acid to the latex. This causes the material to clump. 
The clumped fluid is then rolled into sheets in a mill. 
Doing so removes water, so the sheets can be dried and smoked.

Finally, latex is prevulcanized. 
Prevulcanization involves chemical treatments and gentle heating at low temperatures. 
Once latex is prevulcanized, it is more convenient to transport. 
With more heating, the material can now be made into regular rubber.

Latex Material Properties
After processing, latex is an impressive rubber material.

Latex is known for its tensile and elongation abilities, as well as tear resistance and overall resilience. 
Most common abrasives will not bother latex.

Low temperatures are not a threat, but high temperatures can pose an issue. 
Above eighty-two degrees, latex can begin to corrode. 
You can add treatment chemicals to protect latex from corrosion due to heat, sunlight, and oxygen.

It is also best not to use latex alongside petroleum products and solvents. 
Doing so risks breaking down the latex.

Latex Applications
Latex has a wide variety of applications, ranging from everyday items to more specialized uses.

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.

Synthetic latexes are common in coatings, like latex paint. 
You’ll also find them in glues, thanks to their ability to solidify as water evaporates from the polymer particles in the latex. 
Synthetic latex can also be added to cement used for resurfacing and patching cracks in cement surfaces.

The Natural Latex Journey

From the Tree.....
The latex in our organic mattresses begins its life in Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) approved groves in Sri Lanka. 
The latex is harvested from Hevea Brasiliensis rubber trees under the FSC framework which lays out strict rules which protect the water quality, prevents the harvest of rare, old-growth forest, reducing the unsustainable loss of trees and also the use of hazardous chemicals. 

Pure rubber is harvested every two to three days, always by hand. 
A small channel is carved in the bark for the sap to collect in bowls. 
Rest assured that no trees are harmed in this process. 
These trees yield rubber for up to 30 years.

.....To Processing
Snoozel green source the latex for our organic mattresses using the Dunlop method. 
This process was developed in 1929 and consumes five times less energy than the modern Talalay process, which is much more complex and less sustainable.

What is the Dunlop process? 
It starts by mixing raw, liquid latex with water as well as some additional, natural materials which are required for turning the liquid latex into a solid form, which can then be used to make our organic mattresses. 
These materials include natural soaps, sulphur, vulcanisation and gelling agents. 
At this stage, natural graphite is added which makes our natural mattresses fire retardant without using toxic chemicals or sprays.

When the latex mixture is ready we pump compressed air into it to make a foamy liquid. 
The foam is then poured into the mould and baked (vulcanised) for 50 minutes at 110 degrees. 
The finished, natural latex layer is then removed from the mould, washed and dried.

Natural Latex FAQ's
How long do natural latex mattresses last?
100% natural latex mattresses should last for at least 20 years without losing their integrity as other mattresses do.

Do natural latex mattresses smell?
A natural latex mattress can give off a faint vanilla scent but they do not off-gas chemicals as synthetic mattresses do.

Can you flip a Hybrid Natural Latex mattress?
There is no need to flip your Snoozel Green hybrid natural latex mattress, as it is one sided.
Natural latex in the mattress is made from incredibly durable rubber from Hevea Brasiliensis trees and will bounce back when pressure is released from it.

Do Natural Latex mattresses sleep cool?
Yes. 
The natural construction of a 100% natural latex mattress means it will have great airflow to keep you cool.

What are the benefits of a Natural Latex mattress?
A natural latex mattress can relieve your aches and pains. 
The buoyant support of latex is especially beneficial for sleepers with back and joint pain. 
They are hypoallergenic, incredibly durable (and can last for up to 20 years) as well as being better for the environment than the synthetic alternative.

Are Natural Latex mattresses good for side sleepers?
Natural latex mattresses are perfect for side sleepers. 
Why? Because they provide cushioned support and contouring which keep the spine aligned whilst lying on one’s side.

How is Natural Rubber fabric made?

Natural rubber is made from the organic compound Latex which is derived from tree sap. The trees that it is usually found in are the Genera Hevea and Ficus families.

Natural Rubber Manufacture

Natural Rubber is an elastomer, which means it is an elastic hydrocarbon polymer. 
This is a very environmentally friendly material as it doesn’t release any pollutants into the atmosphere. 
The latex is a milky colloid found in the sap of some trees. 
To obtain this latex, the tree must be tapped. To do this an incision is made in the tree bark so that the sap can be collected and converted into a useable rubber.

This converting is done by placing the latex onto flat vessels so that the sap congeals and the water and rubber particles separate. 
The rubber particles separate from the water and create a pulpy layer on the surface, which can then be lifted off. 
This material made of pure rubber particles is known as ‘Crude Rubber.’ 
This Crude Rubber is then made into thin sheets, sprinkled with water and dried and preserved using woodfire smoke. 
Crude Rubber is the material from which natural rubber is derived. 
Usually, Rubber trees can be tapped 2-3 times throughout their lifetime. 
The latex sap is collected in a metal cup.

Because of the feel and appearance of Natural Rubber, it is usually covered with yarns of another fibre. 
It can also be blended with other fibres as it is woven straight into the fabric.

Properties of Natural Rubber Fabric

Solid molecular structure means that Natural Rubber is resistant to wear and tear
Comfortable
Subtle
Retains its Elasticity well
Very Stretchy
Shock Absorbance
Flexible
Waterproof
Under cold temperatures Natural Rubber can be very brittle and will shatter easily
Low dye acceptance
Easily damaged by Age, sunlight, oil and perspiration
End uses of Natural Rubber

Household and Industrial uses
Hoses
Belts
Flooring
Gloves
Balloons
Rubber bands
Pencil Erasers
Foundation Garments

What Is Natural Latex?
Natural Latex
Natural latex is secreted as part of the natural biological processes of various plants, and most prolifically by Hevea brasiliensis, the rubber tree plant. 
Natural latex is a mixture of organic chemical compounds produced by specialized cells called lacticifers, which are basically modified phloem cells.

The composition of this liquid botanical latex varies slightly from plant to plant, but mature rubber trees produce latex on a daily basis. 
Botanists believe latex to be a natural plant adaptation that protects certain species from insect predation.

Harvesting Natural Latex
latex sap dripping into a bucketNatural latex has been grown on rubber estates for commercial production since the 1800s. 
Liquid latex is harvested from rubber trees without damaging the plant, so a single rubber tree can produce latex for as many as 50 years. 
According to the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources at the University of Nevada, Reno, the commercial genetic lines of Hevea used today were crafted from hundreds of years of seed saving and specialized breeding programs.

Rubber trees can be tapped at around five to eight years of age, according to Purdue University. 
The liquid is harvested by hand each day by workers, known as tappers, who insert a metal tap into each rubber tree, following time-tested harvesting methods.

Each day, the tappers harvest the latex from collection cups hung below the taps. 
An experienced tapper can process 200 or 300 trees over the course of about three hours.

Latex Manufacturing
The secret to the versatility of latex lies in a cell structure that's adaptable to a wide range of manufacturing processes. 
Almost every rubber manufacturing process uses some form of vulcanization, which is a means of altering the chemical structure of latex by adding sulfur or other curatives to create to create cross-links, or bridges, between polymer chains. 
The result is a stronger, more stable, and usually solid rubber structure. 
The physical properties of the finished rubber depend on the types of additives, the exact vulcanization or curing processes, and any molds or blowing agents used to manipulate the final shape. 
Read about the different types of latex to find out more concerning the characteristics and end result of each.

Some simple rubber curing processes, like the Dunlop latex foam technique, can take place right on the estate. 
Botanical latex is treated with anticoagulation compounds (usually ammonia) and transported in its liquid form to dedicated laboratories for more complicated chemical processes—like the cold-dipped vulcanization technique used for stretchy medical-grade rubber, or the patented Talalay latex foam method.

Uses of Natural Latex
rubber tree forestThe unique properties of botanical latex are adaptable to a wide range of applications. 
More than a century of practice with creative manufacturing techniques has led to a phenomenal diversity of rubber uses. 
From pencil erasers to medical-grade rubber gloves to foam mattresses, latex is a major component in everyday items that we take for granted.

Natural Latex vs. Blended Latex
A form of latex can be synthesized using man-made components in laboratory settings. 
Synthetic latex is a passable imitation of real botanical latex and can be used in many of the same vulcanization processes.

"Blended latex" mattresses contain a mix of synthetic and natural latex. 
In most cases, this involves a synthetic core to keep down costs, with a botanical latex sleep surface. 
Natural latex tends to be used for the sleep surface since it has superior loft and support compared to synthetic versions.

If you find a mattress labeled "100% latex" instead of "100% natural latex", it's probably made up of blended latex. 
Ask questions about which components are synthetic to ensure that you get the best possible sleep experience.

Natural Latex Pros
Superior loft and bouncy support.
Renewable resource obtained through sustainable farming practices.
Natural product that minimizes the use of synthetic chemicals.
Natural Latex Cons
Premium material comes with a premium price tag.
Difficult to obtain; most mattresses sold by major manufacturers are blended natural/synthetic mixes or purely synthetic products.
Less durable than some blended latex products.

What is Natural Latex?

When most people think of latex, they think of those this gloves used in healthcare environments or those squeaky clothes worn by 90’s pop stars.
The last thought on their mind is, “that looks natural!” 

Where does latex come from? 
How is it made? 
How is it made into a pillow or mattress pad? 
Hopefully the following paragraphs can shed some light on the mysteries of latex.

Latex, like many other materials used in the linen and bedding industry, comes from plants. 
Unlike other substances, latex can actually be found in roughly 10% of all flower-bearing plants. 
It has a milky consistency. 
When it comes into contact with air, the runny substance coagulates into a solid, as its biological purpose is to trap and kill insects that attempt to feast of the plant. 
This substance can be harvested with a tap (similar to the way sap is harvested for syrup and sweetener from a maple tree).

Latex foam takes a little bit of work to create. 
It is made using a process called Talalay. 
The liquid latex, after being harvested from its plant, is refined and coalesced into a vacuum-sealed mold. 
The latex in the mold is frozen to preserve the cellular structure of the organic latex material. 
The structure of latex’s cells is what gives it that uniquely pliable property.
The mold is then injected with carbon dioxide gas (CO2) and reheated. 
The reheating completes the curing process, making the latex tougher and less susceptible to tearing. The injection of CO2 creates the air pockets that characterize a foam.

Once the latex has been put through the Talalay foam process, it can then be used in bedding products.
Sheets of the latex foam are cut into small sections and shaped shaved into the shape of the product they will eventually become. 
In the case of our shredded latex pillow, these shavings are cut further to become small strips which are put inside an encasement.

Though latex does not seem like it it a natural product, it is the very nature of the biological make up of the substance that gives it the look and feel we all know.