What is Natural Rubber Latex (NRL)?

NRL is the protective fluid contained in tissue beneath the bark of the rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis. It is a cloudy, white liquid collected by cutting a thin strip of bark from the tree and allowing the latex to be secreted into a collection cup over a period of several hours. It consists of approximately 30-40 percent rubber particles, 55-65 percent water and small amounts of protein and other substances.