Hartalega remains buoyant on the outlook of the rubber glove industry this year and beyond

World's leading glove maker Hartalega Holdings Bhd remains buoyant on the outlook of the rubber glove industry this year and beyond despite concerns over raw material costs following the rise in natural rubber (NR) prices to a 20-month high and the ringgit’s appreciation against the US dollar.

Hartalega Managing Director Kuan Kam Hon sees demand growth stemming from the healthcare reform in the US and China, as well as from emerging markets such as South America, Middle East and Africa.

He said the recent US healthcare reform alone would boost demand by 10%........CLICK HERE to read more about how the world’s lowest cost producer of thin Nitrile gloves sees the market in 2010 and beyond.

Why Should We Use Carboxylated Styrene Butadiene Latex?

Manufacturer: We are carpet manufacturers using various base latex (latices) for our carpet backing compounds. Why is carboxylated Styrene Butadiene (XSBR) latex always preferred to normal Styrene Butadiene (SBR) latex? What are the typical chemicals used for the carboxylation? We are now using XSBR. Can we switch to SBR?
John Woon (Senior Latex Consultant): Good question! I knew someone would raise this question sooner or later. The main reasons for using XSBR instead of SBR latex are as follows:

1) XSBR could accept higher loading of filler with high shear mixing while still having better colloidal stability. This is because in the case of SBR, the colloidal stability is achieved mainly from the surfactants(or stabilisers) used in the polymerisation whereas in the case of XSBR, the stabilisers are formed as integral parts of the polymer through the ionization of the carboxylic groups during polymerisation which therefore offer more permanent colloidal stability.

2) As a result, XSBR could maintain compound viscosity over a wider range of mixing speed and shear rate.

3) XSBR could give sufficient tensile strength without having to be vulcanised or crosslinked.

4) Increased polarity through carboxylation improves adhesion to many substrates while improving the resistance to solvents, heat and UV light.

Typical chemicals used for carboxylation are the various carboxylic acids which include Acrylic, methacrylic,crotonic, fumaric, etc. This could be used on its own or in combination with others. Usually the level of carboxylation is from 1 to 10%.

Of course you can switch to SBR but why would you want to switch from a superior product to an inferior product?


You are at the site for answers and solutions to all your problems in natural rubber latex processing and manufacturing of industrial, household and medical gloves, condoms, catheters, baby teats and baby pacifiers, toy balloons, latex foam products, latex threads etc.

Do You Have Problem of Controllying LATEX Quality?

Do you have problem of controlling latex quality?
How to overcome latex  quality and stability problem?
How to assess the suitability of latex for your processes?
Do you have problems with your prevulcanised latex (PV)?
Which antioxidants to use?
Do you have oil separation problem with your oil emulsion?
Do you have wetting problems of your formers and coagulant?
What is the best temperature to use for your coagulant?
To use post vulcanisable latex compound or prevulcanised latex compound and why?
What leaching should I use, pre-leaching or post leaching and why?
How to overcome your various defects of latex dipped products?

For answers to all these questions and more, please contact John Woon at woonsungliang@yahoo.com.sg


You are at the site for answers and solutions to all your problems in natural rubber latex processing and manufacturing of industrial, household and medical gloves, condoms, catheters, baby teats and baby pacifiers, toy balloons, latex foam products, latex threads etc.

Test For Freeze/Thaw Stability Of Polyvinyl Acetate Latex

Manufacturer: We intend to export our products (coatings and adhesives) based on Polyvinyl acetate emulsion to Europe and Middle East. Please suggest some simple test methods we could use to assess the Freeze/Thaw stability and high temperature stability of our products.
John Woon (Senior Latex Consultant): I suggest you try the following:

1) Freeze/Thaw Stability
Fill up a glass bottle (3/4 full) with your Polyvinyl acetate emulsion (or rather latex) and subject the bottle to 10 cycles of, say, 18 hours freezing at - 20ºC in a refrigerator followed by 6 hours thawing at 20 to 30ºC.

The latex would be considered unstable if there are changes in viscosity and signs of agglomeration.

2) High Temperature Stability
Subject the 3/4 filled glass bottle to 22 cycles of heating at 60ºC followed by 2 hours at room temperature.

The latex is considered to have failed the test if there is an increase in viscosity. For some latex, the viscosity might have permanently reduced viscosity on gentle stirring.


You are at the site for answers and solutions to all your problems in natural rubber latex processing and manufacturing of industrial, household and medical gloves, condoms, catheters, baby teats and baby pacifiers, toy balloons, latex foam products, latex threads etc.