RubFab, an eco-friendly plastic alternative made from natural rubber
RubFab, developed by the Rubber Research Institute of India, is an eco-friendly alternative to plastic made from natural rubber latex.
RubFab, developed by the Rubber Research Institute of India, is an eco-friendly alternative to plastic made from natural rubber latex.
RubFab, developed by the Rubber Research Institute of India, is an eco-friendly alternative to plastic made from natural rubber latex.
Kottayam: The Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) has developed RubFab, an innovative, eco-friendly alternative to plastic that is expected to bring significant changes to the rubber industry.
RRII officials said RubFab can be used to manufacture products such as jackets, bags, raincoats and grow bags. Made by bonding fabric with natural rubber latex, the material is both durable and versatile, and can also serve as an effective rain guard for rubber trees.
Officials said efforts to secure a patent for the invention will begin soon. The product has been developed by the Technical Consultancy Division of the Rubber Production Incubation Centre under the RRII, led by senior scientists Shera Mathew and G Ravindranath.
Rubfab has already been installed on an experimental basis as the rain guard for rubber trees in RRII’s plantation, and the trials have so far produced encouraging results. According to officials, the product offers several advantages as it eliminates health hazards linked to the use of bitumen for rain guarding rubber trees, removes the need to drive metal nails into the trees and completely does away with the use of plastic.