Sri Lanka is renowned as a pioneer of the international natural rubber industry. As a producer of high-quality rubber and associated products, this reliable and profitable supply chain was founded in the 19th century.
Today, almost 150 years later, the rubber produced there is known for its superior quality and exceptional durability. It is used to make many niche market products such as rubber gloves, tyres, footwear soles and more.
History of rubber production
In 1876, Sri Lanka's rubber industry began when 1,919 rubber tree seedlings were planted during a period of transition from coffee to tea farming. Hevea Braziliensis seedlings were sent from London's Kew Gardens to the Heneratgoda Botanical Gardens.
Attempts were being made to diversify the economy and experiments into natural rubber suggested rubber-yielding trees would flourish in the Sri Lankan climate. The first that were planted at Heneratgoda flowered in 1881.
Tapping commenced to extract the rubber and proved successful. In 1882, seedlings raised there were distributed to other areas of Sri Lanka, signalling the start of commercial rubber planting.
Five years on, and the 457 good trees at Heneratgoda provided seedlings for further planting. By 1890, there were sufficient to open a sizeable new plantation at Edangoda. The Forest Department continued to cultivate rubber trees and during 1893, around 90,000 seeds were distributed.
Similar numbers were cultivated in succeeding years and rubber production spread across Sri Lanka. In 1900, rubber plantations covered around 405 hectares. Today, they cover a total land area of around 127,500 hectares.
The sector comprises two sections: a pre-manufacturing activity, growing the rubber trees is the first, while the manufacture, processing and marketing of the resulting end product is the other.
There is a third sub-section of the rubber chain: harvesting the rubber-wood at the end of its 33-year lifecycle to provide processed timber and fuel.
Most of Sri Lanka's rubber estates are owned by smallholders and by small and medium rubber farmers. There are also small and medium-size rubber processing units, large latex processing factories based on the bigger plantations and various exporting organisations.
Why use Sri Lankan rubber?
You might wonder why someone should choose Sri Lankan rubber? There are many benefits to using this high-quality product. It offers superior strength, sensitivity, dexterity and protection against pathogens when used for latex gloves. Rubber products made in Sri Lanka are widely used for industrial, medical and household purposes all over the world.
Stakeholders in the rubber industry comply with ethical practices and global labour standards, as Sri Lanka is a signatory to the International Labour Organisation treaties. The sector doesn't use child labour and is a major source of income for Sri Lanka's women in rural areas. Environmentally sustainable, the rubber farms provide renewable forests that have been proven to improve the microclimate in their respective regions.
Sri Lanka's strict environmental legislation ensures the rubber farms, and processing and manufacturing plants comply with the law. The industry must be sustainable to nature, and it must ensure there are no negative effects on the ecosystem and environment.
There are also traceability requirements and common standards in the rubber supply chain. This includes the internal and external stakeholders. This improves sustainability and increases transparency across the industry.
As one of the country’s most developed and successful sectors, Sri Lankan rubber is the finest in the world.
What can be made from natural rubber?
Natural rubber is used to make rubber gloves for both domestic and industry use. Gloveman Supplies' household rubber gloves are manufactured at our own Sri Lankan latex plantations and factories.
As well as being a rubber glove manufacturer, UK-wide, we also produce and supply our products to major retailers globally in their own branding.
Buying a box of rubber gloves is a cost-effective option for bulk purchases for the medical sector. Professionals such as doctors and nurses, care workers, dentists, support workers and carers use them for hygiene purposes in many day-to-day tasks.
We also provide a high quality rubber glove dispenser as an essential item for medical treatment rooms, examination rooms, cubicles and surgeries.
What kind of rubber gloves are there?
Gloveman Supplies offers various top-quality natural rubber gloves, made with rubber from our plantations in Sri Lanka.
For decades, latex gloves have been the choice of the medical sector. In particular, disposable latex gloves are used for many purposes where hygiene and safety are vital.
Latex is a biodegradable material that limits the environmental impact. A highly elastic material, it provides flexible and durable gloves that protect the wearer against low-hazard, non-organic chemicals.
Latex gloves are also suitable for hairdressing salons, food handling, piercing and tattooing, car maintenance and DIY.
To reduce the risk of contamination, non-powdered varieties are produced for food handling purposes. This can include food factories, fresh food shop counters, restaurants, cafes, delicatessens, school kitchens and other canteens.
By choosing our sustainable gloves, made from natural rubber, you will be able to rely on the best Sri Lankan rubber, while looking after the environment.
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