Why Natural Latex Mattresses Are So Expensive ! Types Of Latex ! Dunlop Vs Talalay Latex

Why Natural Latex Mattresses Are So Expensive ! Types Of Latex ! Dunlop Vs Talalay Latex

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Types of Latex..

There are 3 categories of latex:

Natural Latex –natural latex with no synthetics added

Synthetic Latex – man-made (made from chemicals)

Blended Latex – a blend of natural and synthetic latex

Natural Latex is One of Mother Nature’s most useful gifts to man, latex milk is harvested from the Hevea Brasiliensis, or rubber tree. These tropical trees photosynthesise profusely and respond to wounding by producing more sap, or latex. 

They grow in many regions of the world but are farmed most prolifically in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Each second day an incision is made into the bark of the tree and the milk coloured latex sap is collected in a cup in a process known as ‘tapping’. This is obviously a labour intensive process and the industry is an important provider of employment in those countries, which account for over 70% of the world’s natural latex production.

An experienced worker can tap a tree every 20 seconds and will tap around 550 trees each morning, then collecting the latex in the afternoon. It takes the sap collected from 150 of the trees on that day to produce just one pillow. Each rubber tree grows for about 32 years – 7 years of immature phase and about 25 years productive. Plantations are grown on a cyclical basis, making them renewable, sustainable and totally eco-friendly.

Synthetic latex: World War 2 was the catalyst that set the Allies earnestly developing synthetic rubber because the Axis powers controlled nearly all the world’s supply of natural rubber. Refinements to the process of creating synthetic rubber have continued ever since as world demand for rubber has surged and the cost of natural latex has risen dramatically. Today around 60% of rubber is synthetic.

One of the most expensive mattresses on the market is made from natural latex. It’s hypoallergenic, biodegradable, and more durable than memory foam and other foams. You can buy a memory-foam andpocket spring mattress for a few hundred dollars, but natural latex mattresses usually cost over Rs.90k and can exceed Rs.150000. Latex sap from rubber trees is in high demand from dozens of industries, including car tires. This high demand has caused deforestation and displacement of farmers in places like Cambodia. Some mattress companies source their latex from organic and fair-trade-certified farms in places like Guatemala, but the latex from these farms comes at a premium compared to the latex from noncertified plantations. We explored why natural latex mattresses are so expensive.

Natural latex is hypoallergenic and breathable – ideal for allergy sufferers. It is inherently anti-microbial, dust mite and mildew resistant and it inhibits the growth of bacteria and mould. While natural latex is virtually 100% non-allergenic, rare cases have been reported of people being allergic to latex itself through direct contact with certain natural rubber products such as latex gloves. There are no known cases of allergic reaction to natural latex pillows.

Natural latex is softer than synthetic latex. This means that a lot more TLC is required during the pillow manufacturing process to ensure the latex does not tear. The end result of the extra care is a superior, softer, healthier pillow that is more comfortable to sleep on. It provides gentle support to your head and neck, helping to keep your entire spine in a natural, relaxed alignment.

Dunlop Latex Vs Talalay Latex

natural latex is available in two types - Dunlop and Talalay.  The difference is in the processing.  Both go through a vulcanizing process but with a little variation.

Dunlop Latex: The Dunlop process is straight forward, the liquid “cure package” is whipped and poured into the mold and baked.  

Talalay Latex: The Talalay process differs in that the liquid “cure package” is whipped, poured into the mold, flash frozen, vacuum sealed and then baked.   

Dunlop latex is a bit firmer at the bottom because sediment from the liquid latex settles into the bottom of the mold as it bakes. With Talalay latex, the vacuum and freezing steps produce a latex that is softer, more consist and more springy than Dunlop latex.

The question always comes up, “Is one better than the other?” It is a matter of choice.  Both Dunlop and Talalay are available in different levels of firmness and with today’s mattress options you can mix different firmness levels and types to get the feel that is just right for you. 

Video Credits www.vecteezy.com