Current status of the latex products industry in Malaysia

摘要

In 2002, the global total consumption of natural rubber reached 7.39 million, out of which, the consumption of latex concentrate was about 908 000 tonnes representing about 12.3 percent of the total NR consumption. Malaysia consumed about 330 000 tonnes of latex concentrate in 2002 and is currently the largest consuming country of latex concentrate in the world. The manufacturing of natural rubber latex examination gloves dominated the latex based industry in Malaysia. This is followed by the production of latex thread, catheters and condoms. This paper will highlight the positive attributes of natural rubber latex that make it the choice raw material for the production of these products and to compare the performance of the various latex product sub-sectors. The issue of latex protein allergy and the lack of proper information have caused some adverse publicity on the use of natural rubber latex resulting in the switch to other non-latex products. In the case of medical gloves, the switch is from either powdered latex gloves to powder-free latex gloves or gloves produced from synthetic rubber. Research undertaken in hevea latex to quantitate the very low concentrations of proteins residual in latex goods, to understand the nature and behaviour of such residual proteins and to produce latex products with low extractable protein through the use of low protein latex and advancement in products manufacturing processes will be discussed. The implementations of these research findings have rendered the latex products such as gloves, latex thread and condoms having reduced level of extractable latex protein thus minimising further sensitisation of users of latex products. Despite the latex protein allergy concern, NR latex with its environmental friendliness compared with synthetic materials will likely continue to be prominently viable, but measures need to be taken to ensure low protein content. For the industry, R & D support is provided by the public research institutes with inputs from the private sector, while the promotion of products is assisted by the Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council. Products innovations and expansion into other niche market applications are the current aspiration of the industry.