Advances in Natural Rubber Production

Abstract

Abstract This paper will attempt to highlight the various advances made to date in the production and processing of natural rubber (NR). The commercially planted rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis, can yield as high as 3,000 kg of rubber per hectare in contrast to the 500 kg rubber per hectare obtained from the wild Amazonian rubber trees. The high yield of commercial rubber trees is attributed to the successful breeding program, efficient development of agronomic and crop management practices and proper exploitation systems. Today, the Hevea brasiliensis trees not only contribute to the supply of world natural rubber, but also to the ever increasing demand of tropical timber. Latex extracted from the rubber tree is processed to meet the specific requirements of the consumers. In the area of processing, emphasis is on the production of NR as an industrial raw material with improved quality and consistency. Efforts are also placed on processing efficiency, optimum product mix and production of value added modified NR such as epoxidized and deproteinized NR. The processing activities also take into consideration the control of processing effluent with appropriate effluent treatments or conversion of effluent to useful materials.