HAVE YOU ever considered how much latex is present in our daily life? Although many people may not realize it, latex is a fundamental component in the manufacture of various products that we use every day, from tires to condoms. Here, at EAB – Espumas e Artigos de Borracha, Lda., we use this raw material to produce latex foams for the footwear industry..
What is latex?
But what exactly is latex? In technical terms, latex is a stable dispersion, or emulsion, of polymeric microparticles in an aqueous medium. But if you’re still confused, don’t worry, we’ll explain.
In simple terms, latex is a type of rubber. Natural latex is obtained from cuts made in the bark of the rubber tree, a native tree of Brazil. It is a milky fluid or white liquid that, after purification and drying processes, is transformed into natural rubber. Synthetic latex, on the other hand, is produced from petroleum derivatives.
Natural latex extracted from the rubber tree
How EAB uses latex
What does all of this have to do with EAB? Well, our company specializes in producing latex foams for the footwear industry. We manufacture foams that are lightweight, flexible, and durable, ensuring maximum comfort and performance for end users.
However, our use of latex extends beyond the footwear industry. At EAB, we also produce other items for the home, decoration, and well-being, which contain latex foam along with secondary raw materials such as cork powder, shredded tire rubber, rice husks, and coffee grounds. These include rugs for the living room and bedroom, coasters, mats for laptops and mice, as well as exercise mats.
EAB’s commitment to sustainability
EAB is part of a group of footwear industry companies that signed the Portuguese Shoes Green Pact, a program aimed at improving the environmental impact of companies in this industry. Prior to joining this initiative, we had already implemented the installation of photovoltaic panels and the integration of secondary raw materials sourced from other industries.
We will continue on this path to minimize our impact on the environment, and the sustainable use of latex is one of the strategies that will help us achieve this goal. Latex is a versatile and important raw material for the manufacturing of various products we use in our daily lives, and EAB is a company that knows how to harness the full potential of this raw material to create quality, durable, and sustainable products.
