Native to the Amazon rainforest, the hevea brasiliensis (rubber tree) grows well in all tropical areas. Today, most of the production takes place in South East Asia.
The principle of rubber farming is simple. Trees are planted, about 550 per hectare, and grow for 6 or 7 years. The latex can then be collected over a period of 20 to 30 years. A single rubber tree produces 60-150 kg of rubber during its lifetime.
The collected latex can be stored in liquid or coagulated form. It is then processed in factories where it is washed, homogenized, and dried before being supplied to industry.
The natural rubber industry uses few chemical inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides. It helps to preserve the soil from erosion and plays a role in stabilizing the climate. Rubber farming acts as a carbon trap.
Finally, trees are also useful at the end of their life. Their wood can be used either to make furniture or as a source of renewable energy.
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