Whether you&#;re a company leader who&#;s choosing materials for your products or a consumer who&#;s making buying choices for your household, learning about your options is the first step. For many types of products, you have a choice between natural rubber and synthetic rubber. Which one should you choose?
If you want to learn more, please visit our website.
Both natural rubber and synthetic rubber are used abundantly, but they often have different applications and use cases. Let&#;s explore the differences between natural vs. synthetic rubber and why natural rubber may be the most ecologically healthy choice.
Before we dig into the differences, let&#;s look at what each one is and their different origins.
First, what is rubber made out of? Natural rubber comes "from the tree". Certain types of trees and plants produce liquid latex within them, although the rubber tree is the primary source. Rubber producers (smallholders) extract the latex from the trees, much the same way maple syrup manufacturers extract sap. The latex goes through processes that remove excess water and stabilize it to make it into the firm rubber that we see in products.
Where does synthetic rubber come from, then? In scientific terms, synthetic rubber is produced by turning monomers into specific polymers. Manufacturers typically start with petroleum and perform chemical processes and formulas that create synthetic rubber. Keep in mind that there are several types of synthetic rubber, so the manufacturing process varies.
Where does plastic fit in? Plastics are processed from crude oil and natural gas that is extracted, refined or cracked and then polymerized.
Natural rubber and synthetic rubber each have their own pros and cons, so they&#;re often used for different products and purposes.
The most common natural rubber applications include:
The most common applications of synthetic rubber:
The most common applications of plastics:
Synthetic Rubber &#; Silicone Rubber $3.2 - $9.4 / kg
Synthetic Rubber - Chloroprene $3.00 &#; $5.00 / kg
Certified Natural Rubber $2.30 - $2.65 / kg
Synthetic Rubber &#; Butyl Rubber $2.0- $2.56 / kg
Synthetic Rubber &#; EPDM $2.15 - $2.33 / kg
Synthetic Rubber - SBR $1.86 - $2.10 / kg
Plastic - EVA $1.47 - $1.96
Plastic - Polypropylene (PP) $0.80 - $1.20 / lb
Plastic - Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) $0.90 - $1.30 / lb
Plastic - Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) $0.70 - $1.50 / lb
With competitive price and timely delivery, Geyu Energy Saving sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
In truth, this varies considerably. The price of both natural and synthetic rubber constantly fluctuates based on supply and demand and what region of the world you buy from. The factors in their manufacturing also make prices unstable.
Natural rubber depends on crop yields (though it depends on how well rubber trees grew or were planted years ago because it takes 6-8 years for a rubber tree to start producing latex). Synthetic rubber and plastics depend on petroleum prices.
As a result, the answer to which material is more economical is always shifting.
When it comes to the environment, the choice is clear: natural rubber has a significantly lower negative impact on the planet.
Natural rubber does come from trees, but manufacturers don&#;t need to cut down the trees to get the rubber, so the industry doesn&#;t contribute to deforestation. In fact, it takes up to 8 years for a rubber tree to start producing latex but when it reaches that point, it produces latex every year for up to 30 years. As a result, it encourages manufacturers to keep trees alive and healthy for longer.
Synthetic rubber, on the other hand, is typically produced using petroleum. Extracting petroleum from the earth has a negative effect on the planet, and petroleum is considered a non-renewable resource because it takes so long to develop. The impact of natural rubber vs. synthetic rubber also comes into play at the end of products&#; lives. Natural rubber is biodegradable, but synthetic rubber is not.
Plastics can take hundreds to thousands of years to decompose, leading to persistent pollution in oceans, rivers, and landfills. Marine life is particularly vulnerable, with many species ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic debris. Additionally, the production and disposal of plastics contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change. Microplastics tiny plastic particles, hae been found in various ecosystems and in human organs, raising concerns about their long-term health impacts.
When comparing products made of natural rubber and synthetic rubber, which one lasts longer? Much like the price comparison, this question is a toss-up.
Natural rubber and synthetic rubber have their own strengths and weaknesses - they can each withstand different types of degrading factors. As a result, the longevity depends on what a product is exposed to. For example, sunlight will break down natural rubber faster than synthetic rubber, but synthetic rubber is more vulnerable to tearing and abrasion.
The lifespan of plastics varies widely depending on the type of plastic and the environmental conditions it is exposed to. Generally, plastics can take anywhere from 20 to 500 years to decompose. For example, plastic bags might take around 20 years, while plastic bottles can take up to 450 years
Natural and synthetic rubbers are rather different materials, so each has its own benefits. The top advantages of natural rubber include:
In the case of synthetic rubbers, each type of synthetic rubber has its own properties, so the benefits will vary. Generally, though, synthetic rubber has these functional benefits:
In the case of plastics:
At the end of the day, which is better - natural rubber or synthetic rubber or plastic will depend on many decision points and the product. From an ethical standpoint, if there is an equivalent plant-based, natural rubber product that replaces a petroleum-based, synthetic or plastic product, it should be considered and used, as it will have a less detrimental effect on the planet and on humankind.
June
For companies that are committed to sustainability, moving toward using ethical rubber is the next big &#; and essential &#; step to making your products better for the planet. Conventional rubber harvesting causes environmental devastation on a massive scale. But the good news is: the rubber you use doesn&#;t have to.
Here are three reasons why industrial rubber harvesting can be harmful &#; and two reasons why this is the right moment for your company to shift to sustainable natural rubber:Rubber Production Causes Deforestation[vc_separator sep_color=&#;color-&#; el_width=&#;25%&#;]Deforestation for rubber is a problem across Africa and southeast Asia, and it&#;s accelerating. These areas are biodiversity hotspots, and the habitats of numerous endangered species, including tigers, gibbons, and elephants, are rapidly disappearing. Rubber Production Can Destroy Communities[vc_separator sep_color=&#;color-&#; el_width=&#;25%&#;]The rubber industry is destroying more than just our forests. Exploitative harvesting is wrecking communities in Southeast Asia and Africa, throwing families off the land where they&#;ve lived for generations and taking away their livelihoods, all to make way for more rubber farms. Rubber Production Worsens Climate Change[vc_separator sep_color=&#;color-&#; el_width=&#;25%&#;]The immediate harm caused by the rubber industry is serious &#; but the biggest impacts might not be felt for years to come, because deforestation is a major factor in climate change. At a moment when drastic measures are needed within the next decade to prevent the worst effects of climate change, many companies are stepping up to make a difference, but rubber is an often-overlooked part of the problem. It&#;s critical that we commit to ending the deforestation caused by rubber harvesting. Consumers Want Sustainability [vc_separator sep_color=&#;color-&#; el_width=&#;25%&#;]Sustainable natural rubber will do more than just allow your company to be part of protecting our planet and communities. As companies seek to distinguish themselves in increasingly competitive markets, surveys show that 66 percent of the general public and 73 percent of millennials will spend more if the product is produced sustainably. This means that being sustainable doesn&#;t have to come with harm to your bottom line; in fact, it can help your brand.There is Still Time to Get Ahead of the Game[vc_separator sep_color=&#;color-&#; el_width=&#;25%&#;]Fortunately, companies around the world are recognizing the benefits of and are beginning to commit to sustainable and ethical rubber. Just last year, six tire companies adopted &#;No Deforestation, No Exploitation&#; policies for their rubber supply chains (bringing the total number across the industry to eight) and many other brands, from condom companies to wetsuit manufacturers, committed to fair and sustainable rubber as well. Additionally, this March, The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) launched the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber, a promising platform that has the opportunity to bring the whole industry towards sustainability.
Your company can start on this journey right now and be part of the global movement to protect forests, our climate, and human rights.
Want to join stakeholders across the natural rubber value chain for an open and honest discussion about the challenges and opportunities in the world of sustainable natural rubber- and learn how your company can commit to sustainability? Join us for a workshop on Sustainable Natural Rubber &#; Pathways, Policies and Partnerships, where you&#;ll have an opportunity to make connections and explore solutions to making rubber more sustainable. Companies at all stages of their sustainability journey are welcome!
For more information, please visit Rubber Plastic Material.