Jul 26 2008
Immunochemist Mark C. Swanson got leading scientists and researchers at the International Latex Conference 2008 excited about a bright future for natural rubber latex (NRL) yesterday with insights into the development and practical applications of Vytex NRL from Vystar Corporation.
This commercially available NRL source material has ultra low antigenic protein levels as raw material while preserving desirable NRL properties in finished products.
Vystar Chief Executive Officer William Doyle said, "We are very fortunate to have a scientist of Mark's stature engaged in evaluating and testing Vytex NRL. Mark is a highly-regarded researcher in latex protein interaction who is frequently called upon by employers and agencies to evaluate workplace bioaerosols and their remedies."
Presenting to the conference, Swanson called Vytex NRL a standardized source material for the production of natural rubber products using NRL that is modified to significantly reduce its antigenic protein content. He pointed out that this innovative product, currently being produced under a toll manufacturing agreement with Revertex Malaysia, can be used in a wide array of medical and non-medical applications.
Vytex NRL is produced at the latex processor level and can be easily integrated into current manufacturing environments without additional capital equipment investment. The multi-patented modification process that leads to Vytex NRL also has the potential to allow manufacturers to lower manufacturing costs with reductions in process time, energy, water and material handling consumption.
Altogether, more than 500 medical and non-medical products made with Vytex NRL have been independently tested using accredited ASTM protein test methodologies. Among the products produced and tested are surgical gloves, condoms, foam (as used in mattresses and pillows), adhesives, tubing, probe covers and breather bags. Swanson reported that test results show that in addition to significantly reduced antigenic protein levels; products made with Vytex NRL demonstrate improved physical properties important to end-product quality such as tensile strength and resistance to aging when compared to non- Vytex NRL.
For more information on rubber products, click here.