Full definition
Natural rubber (cis-1,4-polyisoprene) harvested as latex from Hevea brasiliensis rubber trees grown on commercial plantations, primarily in tropical Southeast Asia. Trees begin producing at 5-7 years, yield for 25-30 years. Latex is collected by tapping (cutting the bark to release latex), then processed into marketable grades: (1) RSS (Ribbed Smoked Sheets) — coagulated, sheeted, and smoke-dried; visual grading 1X through 5 based on color, transparency, and defects; traditional grade used in LATAM. (2) TSR (Technically Specified Rubber) — block rubber graded by measurable properties: dirt content, ash, nitrogen, volatile matter, and Mooney viscosity; designated by origin: SMR (Malaysia), SIR (Indonesia), STR (Thailand), SVR (Vietnam). Common grade: TSR 20 (max 0.16% dirt) for general industrial use. Global production: ~14 million tonnes/year. Major producers: Thailand (37%), Indonesia (23%), Vietnam (8%), India, China. NR is irreplaceable for products requiring high resilience, strain crystallization, and dynamic fatigue life: truck tires, aircraft tires, conveyor belt covers, and anti-vibration mounts. Price: highly volatile commodity, traded on SICOM and TOCOM exchanges.