The core of the Kipli mattress is made of 100% natural latex and therefore has numerous unique properties. Natural rubber is a durable, flexible, water-repellent, and breathable material. But where does natural latex come from, and how is it made?
Extraction of Natural Latex
Natural latex is derived from the tropical rubber tree “Hevea brasiliensis,” also known as the rubber tree, and comes primarily from Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America. Producers who harvest the latex must wait about 6 years until the rubber tree is ready for harvest. After that, it yields about 50–80 grams of the valuable latex sap daily for up to 25 years.
The trunk of the rubber tree has a smooth surface and grows up to 20 meters tall. If the tree’s bark is damaged, a milky sap—also known as latex—flows out, hardens, and turns into a rubbery substance. This reaction is completely natural and is intended to protect the tree from bacterial infection when it is injured.
The name “rubber” translates to “weeping tree” and can therefore be traced back to the extraction process. The extracted latex is transformed into a rubber-like substance through the process of vulcanization. This material is particularly durable and remains stable at temperatures up to 100 degrees Celsius. It is used, for example, in the manufacture of bicycle tires, rubber gloves, and balloons, as well as in the production of our Kipli natural latex mattress. However, the automotive industry accounts for the largest share of latex production, using it to manufacture car tires.
Producing Latex for the Natural Latex Mattress Manufacturing Process
There are two different processes suitable for manufacturing a natural latex mattress: the Dunlop and Talalay processes. However, the Dunlop process is used most frequently because it is more energy-efficient and therefore more environmentally friendly. In this process, the extracted latex milk—which is still in liquid form—is whipped into a foam by adding air and other substances. The liquid mixture is then poured into a metal mold. Inside the mold are metal pins, which, depending on their arrangement, ultimately form the different comfort zones. The mold is then heated to up to 120 degrees Celsius and gently spun.
After 1.5 hours of “curing time,” the now solid and fully vulcanized latex core is removed from the metal mold. To remove any protein residues, it is washed and dried. Once the latex core is completely dry, it is ready for the final quality inspection. This completes the manufacturing process for the natural latex mattress. To assess the quality of a natural latex mattress, look for relevant quality certifications. These certifications require manufacturers to ensure the purity of the materials when producing latex mattresses.
What is the material made of?
Natural latex consists of up to 30% rubber. The remaining 70% consists of water and other minerals, proteins, and resins. It contains no carcinogens or chemical plasticizers and is free of solvents.
Producing Natural Latex While Protecting the Environment
The harvesting and processing of natural latex is a particularly natural and sustainable method of rubber production. This is because natural latex is a renewable raw material, and its cultivation requires very little energy. Production requires only about 10% of the energy needed to manufacture synthetic latex. These and numerous other positive qualities make natural latex an excellent core component of our Kipli natural latex mattress (read more about the special properties of natural latex mattresses in our blog post). Furthermore, natural latex mattresses can even be recycled at the end of their lifespan, helping to protect the environment even after their long service life. The labor-intensive harvesting of natural rubber, which is done by hand, and the natural manufacturing process make the natural latex mattress an exceptionally high-quality product that guarantees a healthy night’s sleep.