Natural and Synthetic Latex Polymer Market Report (Rapra Market Reports)

This latex market report gives a comprehensive introduction to both natural and synthetic polymers in one volume. This is a hot subject because of the tremendous changes in the market. These have arisen from the increased use of disposable gloves in the medical industry and the search for elastomers which do not promote allergic reactions. Also latex products are being used extensively as alternatives to solvent based systems such as adhesives, sealants and coatings, because of global legislation concerning the use of volatile and flammable solvents. The range of applications of latex is extensive. Polymer latices are used in paints and coatings, textiles, non-wovens, packaging, construction (mainly in adhesives and binders), furniture, packaging, paper (e.g., coatings), medical equipment, personal protective equipment, carpet backing, adhesives, polish, belts, seals, etc. The global annual consumption of natural rubber latex is running at just over 7 million tons. Natural rubber latex is particularly widely used in medical gloves, thread and condom applications. Gloves are by far the largest market sector, consuming around 60 percent by weight. and the need to protect healthcare workers from infection. Production quality must be high to eliminate pinholes and provide an adequate barrier. This is a very competitive market and much of the production industry has been moved to Asia to reduce costs. This in turn has lead to new standards being introduced, such as the Standard Malaysian Gloves (SMG). Natural rubber latex is discussed in depth in this report from cultivation practices to manufacturing methods and new developments. Allergic reactions have been reported to residual proteins in latex. The nature, incidence and potential market impact of this are discussed. Attempts are being made to replace natural rubber with synthetics, but currently this is not generally cost effective. The key properties of natural latex are described in the report. A wide range of synthetic latices is available including styrene-butadiene copolymers (SBR), acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymers, polychloroprene, acrylic polymers, vinyl acetate polymers, vinyl acetate-ethylene polymers, vinyl chloride polymers and copolymers, polybutadiene and polyisoprene. consumed globally each year. This report describes production methods, applications and markets. The worldwide structure of the latex industry is outlined here. The natural rubber industry in Asian countries, North America and Europe are described. Asia is the key area for production. The latex market is spread across the globe, making it less sensitive to regional fluctuations and economic cycles. Application areas are growing with the requirements for medical gloves and condoms, and the use of latices as substitutes for solvent based systems. This Rapra Natural and Synthetic Latex Polymers Market Report provides an excellent, clear overview of the whole of the latex industry from production and manufacturing methods to market applications, new technology and potential for growth. 1 Introduction 8 1.1 The World of Latex 8 1.2 Scope of the Report 8 1.3 Geographical Focus 8 1.4 Methodology 8 1.5 Authorship 9 1.6 Units 9 2 Executive Summary 10 2.1 Market Size 10 2.2 Natural Rubber Latex 12 2.3 Synthetic Latex 13 3 Natural Latex 14 3.1 Natural Rubber Latex (NRL) 14 3.2 History of Natural Rubber 14 3.3 Developments in Natural Rubber Production 16 3.3.1 Plantation Productivity 16 3.3.2 Molecular Engineering 17 3.3.3 Diseases 17 3.4 Production of Natural Rubber Latex 18 3.4.1 Agronomy 18 3.4.2 Ecology 18 3.4.3 Composition 18 3.4.4 Harvesting 19 3.4.5 Preservation 19 3.4.6 Concentration 19 3.4.7 Latex Storage 20 3.4.8 Commercial Forms of Latex 20 3.4.9 Vulcanisation 24 3.5 Properties of Natural Rubber Latex 24 3.6 Supply of Natural Latex 25 References 27 4 Synthetic Latex 28 4.1 Latex Types 29 4.1.1 Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) 29 4.1.2 Acrylonitrile-Butadiene Copolymers (NBR Latex) 31 4.1.3 Polychloroprene (eR) 32 4.1.4 Vinyl Ester Polymers 33 4.1.5 Acrylic Polymers, Including Vinyl Acrylics and Styrene Acrylics 35 4.1.6 Ethylene-Vinyl Chloride Copolymers (EVCL) 36 4.1.7 Polybutadiene 36 4.1.8 Synthetic Polyisoprene (IR) 37 4.1.9 Other Speciality Latices 37 4.1.9.1 Polyvinylidene Chloride (PVDC) 37 4.1.9.2 Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) 38 4.1.9.3 Polyvinyl Pyridine 38 4.1.9.4 Butyl Rubber 38 4.1.9.5 Fluoropolymers 39 4.1.9.6 Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene Latex (CSM Latex) 39 4.2 Compounding and Processing of Rubber Latex 39 4.2.1 Compounding 39 4.2.2 Foaming 40 4.2.3 Dip Moulding 41 4.2.3.1 Forms/Mandrels 42 4.2.3.2 Coagulant Dip 42 4.2.3.3 Dipping 42 4.2.3.4 Drying and Vulcanising 43 4.2.3.5 Beading 43 4.2.3.6 Leaching 43 4.2.3.7 Stripping 43 4.2.3.8 Production Machinery 43 4.2.4 Spraying 44 4.2.5 Sheeting 45 4.2.6 Extrusion 45 References 46 5 Applications for Latex 48 5.1 Medical and Hygiene 49 5.1.1 Medical Gloves 49 5.1.2 Condoms 54 5.1.3 Other Medical and Hygiene Applications 56 5.2 Building and Construction 56 5.2.1 Concrete Modification 56 5.2.2 Asphalt Modification 58 5.2.3 Adhesives and Sealants 59 5.3 Textiles and Non-Woven Fabrics 59 5.3.1 Textiles 59 5.3.2 Non-Woven Fabrics 60 5.3.3 Important Characteristics of Latices for Textile and Non-Woven Applications 61 5.3.4 Types of Latex Binders 62 5.3.5 Manufacturing of Non-Wovens 63 5.3.5.1 Saturation Bonding 63 5.3.5.2 Foam Bonding 63 5.3.5.3 Spray Bonding 64 5.3.5.4 Print Bonding 64 5.3.6 Applications for Latex Bonded Non-Wovens 64 5.3.7 Developments in Non-Wovens 64 5.4 Paint and Coatings 65 5.5 Paper 67 5.6 Printing Inks 69 5.7 Furniture 70 5.7.1 Foam 70 5.7.2 Adhesives 71 5.8 Carpets 72 5.9 Packaging 73 5.10 Industrial 73 5.10.1 Adhering Rubber to Fabrics 73 5.10.2 Industrial Gloves 74 5.10.2.1 Clean Room Gloves 74 5.10.2.2 Food Contact Gloves 74 5.10.2.3 Industrial Gloves 74 5.10.3 Other Industrial Applications 75 5.11 Consumer Products 75 5.12 Adhesives and Sealants 76 5.13 Floor Polishes 77 References 80 6 New Developments in Latex 82 6.1 Natural Latex 82 6.1.1 Latex Stimulants 82 6.1.2 Alternative Sources of Natural Rubber 82 6.1.3 Solutions to the Natural Rubber Allergy Issue 83 6.1.3.1 Leaching 83 6.1.3.2 Chlorination 84 6.1.3.3 Proteolytic Enzymes 85 6.1.3.4 Fumed Silica 85 6.1.3.5 Other Technologies 86 6.1.3.6 Commercially Available Low Protein Latices 86 6.1.3.7 Glove Powder Evaluation 86 6.1.3.8 Polymer Coating 87 6.1.4 Other Developments 87 6.2 Synthetic Latex 87 6.2.1 Heterogeneous Emulsion Particles 88 6.2.2 Gradient Polymer Morphologies 89 6.2.3 Controlled Free Radical Polymerisation 90 6.2.4 New Cure Methods 90 6.2.5 Low VOC Latex 91 References 91 7 Consumption by Global Region and Material Type 94 7.1 Global Demand for Latex 94 7.2 Regional Demand For Latex 95 7.3 Demand by Material Type 96 7.4 Demand by Market Segment 97 Reference 98 8 Natural Rubber Latex Industry Structure 100 8.1 Plantations and Harvesting of Natural Rubber 100 8.2 Natural Rubber Latex Processing 100 8.3 Natural Rubber Latex Products Manufacturing 101 8.4 Natural Rubber Latex Marketing 102 8.5 National and Regional Rubber Industry Profiles 102 8.5.1 Malaysia 102 8.5.1.1 Rubber Products Industry 102 8.5.1.2 Technology Trends 104 8.5.1.3 Standard Malaysian Gloves (SMG) 105 8.5.2 Thai Rubber Latex Industry 106 8.5.3 Indonesian Rubber Latex Industry 106 8.5.4 Vietnamese Rubber Latex Industry 107 8.5.5 Indian Rubber Latex Industry 107 8.5.6 Chinese Rubber Latex Industry 108 8.5.7 North American Rubber Latex Industry 108 8.5.8 European Rubber Latex Industry 108 8.6 Trade in Natural Rubber Latex 108 8.7 Prices of Natural Rubber Latex 109 8.8 INRA and ITRC 110 8.9 Examples of Latex Product Manufacturers 111 8.9.1 Malaysian Manufacturers of Latex Products 111 8.9.2 Thai Manufacturers of Latex Products 111 8.9.3 Chinese Manufacturers of Latex Products 111 8.9.4 Indian Manufacturers of Latex Products 112 8.9.5 US Manufacturers of Latex Products 112 8.9.6 European Manufacturers of Latex Products 112 References 112 9 Synthetic Latex Industry Structure 114 9.1 Leading Manufacturers 114 9.1.1 Competitive Strategies 115 9.2 Mergers and Acquisitions 116 9.3 Manufacturers of Specific Latex Types 116 9.4 Prices of Synthetic Latex 118 10 Regulations and Environmental Issues 120 10.1 Health and Safety 120 10.1.1 Emissions from Bonded Carpets 120 10.1.2 Lowering Volatile Organic Component (VOC) Levels 120 10.1.3 Residual Monomers in Synthetic Latices 123 10.1.4 Issues Relating to Additives in Rubber Latex 123 10.1.5 Formaldehyde 124 10.1.6 The Natural Latex Allergy Issue 124 10.2 Environmental Issues - Recycling and Waste Disposal 128 10.2.1 Recycling of Carpets 128 10.2.2 Re-Pulpability of Paper Coatings and Adhesives 129 10.2.3 Heavy Metal Effluents from Latex 129 11 Influences and Trends in Latices to 2005 130 11.1 Future Prospects for the Latex Industry 130 11.1.1 Market Drivers 130 11.1.2 Market Restraints 130 11.2 International Forecast 2003-2005 by Region 131 References 133 12 Companies and Associations 134 12.1 International and National Associations and Organisations 134 12.2 Media 135 Glossary of Terms 136 Abbreviations and Acronyms 139