Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Ecologically Produced Natural Rubber

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Jun 7 2010 (IPS) - It is finally possible in Brazil to produce high-quality natural rubber on a large scale and still save water and energy, thanks to technology developed by the University of Brasilia. TECBOR, the technology to produce latex in the Amazon region, replaces acetic acid with a substance derived from wood smoke to coagulate the latex, eliminating the stages of grinding and rinsing, which require a great deal of water and electricity.

Drying the panels of latex outdoors also saves energy.

“In addition to the environmental advantages, the main benefit is the training of Amazon communities. We have already trained about 400 families and we will work with another 260, with the support of the Acre state government,” chemist and project coordinator Floriano Pastore told Tierramérica.

Brazil exported to France seven tons of natural rubber produced using this method last year, and this year will export another 10 tons, said Pastore.