Where Does Natural Rubber Come From and How is Rubber Made?

Rubber is a natural substance that provides waterproofing and basic construction materials. Thanks to the discovery of synthetic rubber and dramatic improvements in rubber processing, we can create custom solutions for high-threat scenarios.

Where Does Rubber Come From? The History, Sources, and Production of Natural and Synthetic Rubber

Imagine your tactical gear with no flexibility, no seal, and limited chemical resistance. That would be the reality without one crucial substance - rubber. 

Rubber is an essential material in emergency and tactical safety gear. It provides flexibility, durability, and resistance to environmental hazards. 

Synthetic rubber compounds, in particular, are responsible for the advances in modern safety equipment. Products like the MIRA Safety CM-6M Gas Mask and HAZ-SUIT exemplify how synthetic rubber ensures reliability and protection in life-threatening scenarios. Militaries, survivalists, law enforcement, and first responders would be exposed to high threat levels without this one, essential material.

We'll cover the differences between natural and synthetic rubber, the source of natural rubber, and the key protective gear applications of this strange - but indispensable - substance. 

What Is Rubber and How Is Synthetic Rubber Made?

Rubber - an elastic substance derived either from tropical trees (natural rubber) or from petrochemicals (synthetic rubber). 

We all use rubber every day. Rubber is used to make a wide variety of ordinary items, like:

• Car tires
• Bicycle tires
• Rubber bands 
• Rubber gloves
• Shoe soles 
• Insulation
• Sealants
• Gaskets 
• Toys 

You may not even recognize some of the components in your car or home that have rubber in them. Anytime a gasket or valve is needed, that's usually created from some form of synthetic rubber - even parts in your kitchen are likely rubber. 

Source:  David Clode on Unsplash

What Makes Rubber Stretchy? 

Rubber is stretchy because of its chemical makeup. Both natural and synthetic rubber are made of an interconnected web of polymers. These molecules naturally exist in a tightly tangled web (called entropy state). When stretched out, the chains are more orderly. Once released, they return back to their natural, tangled state. This provides that "bounce-back" effect of rubber that we are all familiar with in a tire or rubber gasket. 

Why Stretchiness Matters

This elasticity is one of the main benefits of rubber - though it has other useful properties too, like impermeability, insulation, and durability. In any application where parts need to fit tightly against one another, rubber is the obvious choice. Rubber parts allow for a tight seal, which is crucial for many machines, hoses, and tools functioning properly. Just imagine a a fuel hose without a tight seal! 

The stretching properties of rubber is absolutely essential for the proper functioning of protective equipment. Products like the NBC-77 SOF Filters rely on these properties to provide long-lasting performance in hazardous environments. The tight seal ensures a proper fit between the gas mask and the disposal filter, ensuring that no unfiltered air leaks into the mask. 

Synthetic Vs. Natural Rubber 

Natural rubber is produced in Asia, South America, and West Africa. Natural rubber is made from a liquid substance extracted from the rubber tree hevea brasiliensis, 

Excess water is strained out of the raw rubber, extra chemicals are added for strength and stability, and it goes through a heat-treatment process called vulcanization.

Farmers grow rubber in plantations, which can vary wildly in size. There are still some family farm rubber plantations around the world, like the one pictured below from Sreemangal. 

Source: Wikimedia Commons 

Synthetic rubber is crafted from petrochemical derivatives. This makes it more resistant to chemicals, temperature extremes, and ozone. Synthetic rubber also tends to be more durable than natural rubber. Because the composition is more closely controlled during manufacture, its ideal for designing rugged, durable materials for tactical applications. 

Synthetic Rubber - Best for Tactical Gear 

The manufacturing process for synthetic rubber involves two key processes - polymerization and vulcanization. These ensure strength and durability, which is essential for gear like the CM-7M Military Gas Mask, trusted by survivalists and professionals alike. We'll cover briefly how each of these processes works. 

• Polymerization is the process when small molecules (monomers) combine chemically to make a very long chain or network molecule (polymer). 
• This process is used to make a wide variety of rubber 
• Vulcanization is the process of combining rubber molecules with sulfur, other trace chemicals, and heat. 
• This increases tensile strength and durability, and prevents swelling. 

Source: Wikimedia Commons 

The ability to manipulate the chemical bonds during the polymerization and vulcanization processes means that much sturdier products can be created. Constant innovation in the amounts and kinds of chemicals added during manufacture results in safer, more threat-resistant gear in the field. Technical innovation drives manufacturing updates that result in lower costs for high-quality products, too. 

READ NOW: The Best Gas Masks in 2024: A Buyers' Guide by MIRA Safety

Where Does Rubber Come From? Key Rubber Sources Explained

Rubber is an essential material for the tactical gear that keeps law enforcement, military, and first responders safe and secure.

The United States is the world's second biggest importer of rubber - only China buys more from others countries. 

Natural Rubber Sources

In 2024, key producers of natural rubber include: 

As of 2024, key sources of rubber from petroleum producers include:

• Thailand
• Indonesia
• Vietnam 
• Malaysia

In fact, even though rubber is native to the Amazon Basin, the countries in Southeast Asia listed above account for 70% of the world's natural rubber exports. 

Artificial Rubber Sources

The countries manufacturing the most synthetic rubber are: 

• China
• Japan
• Russia
• United States of America 

Keep in mind, synthetic rubber is a petroleum-based product. This means that the supply of rubber is dependent upon crude oil sources. Companies like MIRA Safety ensure that they source only the highest quality rubber for long-term shelf-life and field performance. 

The History of Rubber: From Discovery to Survival Applications

Rubber has an ancient history. Indigenous peoples in the Amazon Basin first discovered natural rubber from the latex of the Hevea brasiliensis tree. These people used the substance for waterproofing and basic tools. 

A process called "rubber tapping" extracts the substance from the trees so it can be refined. TThis will be familiar to people from the Northern Hemisphere, who tap maple trees for their syrup in a similar way. 

Source: Wikimedia Commons

In the 1830s, Charles Goodyear accidentally dropped some rubber mixed with sulfur onto a hot stove - thereby discovering vulcanized rubber. This invention made his fortune, and you're probably familiar with Goodyear rubber in car tires today. 

By the 20th century, the invention of synthetic rubber revolutionized industries, offering greater reliability and scalability. This innovation paved the way for creating high-performance PPE. Today, innovations are constantly being made to meet increasing CBRN threats. Products like the MIRA Safety TAPR Radiation Protective Suit, use sate-of-the-art synthetic rubber designed to withstand extreme environmental hazards while maintaining its flexibility. 

Synthetic Rubber: A Stronger and New Rubber Solution

Rubber materials have revolutionized industry. The amount of rubber that can be produced increases, and chemicals can be added to the rubber to create everything from rubber nitrile gloves to car tires.

Synthetic rubber’s development addressed the limitations of natural rubber, offering improved resilience and adaptability. It also made rubber more plentiful, because it doesn't rely on limited rubber plantations in remote locations. 

Case Study: Synthetic Rubber Protects from CBRN Threats 

The MIRA Safety HAZ-SUIT provides an ideal example of how synthetic rubber has made it possible to create innovative products. 

The suit benefits from synthetic rubber’s resistance to chemical and biological threats, making it indispensable for CBRN protection. Unlike natural rubber, synthetic variants do not degrade as quickly under exposure to ozone or harsh environments. This extends the shelf life of the HAZ-SUIT and similar products, making it easier to stockpile for potential threats. Advances in polymer science means that companies can innovate to meet new threats and create sophisticated products that are durable enough for military applications but intuitive enough for survivalists to implement. 

How Is Rubber Made? The Rubber Production Process for Tactical Gear

MIRA Safety integrates vulcanized synthetic rubber into its products, such as the CM-7M Military Gas Mask. This ensures optimal performance in extreme conditions - which is why it's trusted by militaries around the world. 

Take a look inside the process. Synthetic rubber production begins with refining raw petrochemicals. Next, polymerization forms the desired molecular structure, balancing flexibility and durability. Vulcanization, a key process, involves adding sulfur to strengthen and stabilize the rubber, making it suitable for demanding field applications.

Global Rubber Production: Where Rubber Comes From Today

Synthetic rubber production relies on an interconnected web of global trade. This global network ensures a steady supply of materials for tactical and survival applications.

Global production of synthetic rubber centers on petrochemical hubs, with leading producers in North America, Europe, and Asia. The United States continues to be both a major producer and importer of high-quality synthetic rubber. 

“MIRA Safety sources high-quality synthetic rubber to maintain the durability and reliability of products like the NBC-77 SOF Filters. This commitment ensures that every piece of gear meets the needs of survivalists, first responders, and families.”

Source: All India Rubber 

By relying on synthetic rubber, manufacturers reduce the environmental impact compared to harvesting natural rubber. This aligns with sustainable practices in PPE production.

How Is Rubber Used? Tactical and Survival Applications

Synthetic rubber’s versatility makes it indispensable in safety equipment, including gas masks, boots, gloves, and hazmat suits.

For instance, the MIRA Safety CM-6M Gas Mask offers a snug, reliable seal that protects against airborne threats, while the HAZ-SUIT provides full-body protection in hazardous conditions.

These applications demonstrate how synthetic rubber’s durability and flexibility contribute to lifesaving functionality in diverse scenarios.

Making Rubber Stronger: Innovations for Safety and Durability

Advancements in synthetic rubber allow manufacturers to create gear with longer shelf lives and greater resistance to wear and tear. 

Today's "fourth wave" industrial revolution features AI-driven process monitoring to speed up manufacturing efficiency, while creating more specialized components than ever before. 

Case Study: Chemical Innovations in Rubber Manufacturing: As regulations change and supply chains shift, the rubber industry is making quick adjustments to ensure top-quality rubber. According to one rubber manufacturer, chloroprene rubber might soon be replaced by Epichlorohydrin rubber. This has a lower curing temperature, meaning it saves energy (and costs) during manufacturing. It also has a strong resistance to oil, fuel, and ozone, meaning it could be a good fit for military-grade 

Case Study: MIRA Safety CBRN Radiation Protective Suit: Biohazard and radiation suits have presented a persistent challenge. How to keep first responders or military safe during a CBRN threat, but also allow them freedom of movement? 

The MIRA Safety CBRN Radiation Protective Suit leverages innovative synthetic materials to provide unparalleled durability, even in extreme radiation zones. It has been proven to remain impermeable even while handling hazardous chemicals or during drug law enforcement responses. 

READ NOW: Avoid Chemical Exposure: How to Create a CBRN Go-Bag