Stretching rubber to prevent climate harm

Into the gloomy and snake-ridden rubber estates Dr. Jagathdeva Vidanagama journeyed to check out what this industry’s contribution is to the carbon footprint.

He has estimated the cradle-togate lifecycle carbon footprint for the four main raw rubber products made from latex. These four products can be grouped once again into two –dry rubber products and centrifuged latex based products. Dry raw rubber products include crepe rubber which has a high value and quality (used in the manufacture of soles of shoes and other products) and Ribbed Smoked Sheet (RSS) rubber and Technically Specified Rubber (TSR) used in the manufacture of tyres, tubes and other household and industrial products. Centrifuged latex and its value-added products are used in the production of gloves, balloons, elastics, exercise equipment and foam mattresses.

“Centrifuged latex and dry rubber-based value-added products use up much electricity and thermal energy,” says Dr. Vidanagama.

To mitigate emissions that arise from electricity consumption, he offers three options: Increasing process and energy efficiency.

Increasing the share of renewable energy (biomass or solar). Offsetting emissions by reforestation or afforestation.