ZILDOME x YULEX Rubber Chronicles

Learn about our sustainability efforts and how and why we ONLY use certified natural rubber as our plant-base.

Your yoga mat starts with a certified natural rubber that is carbon neutral

Neoprene (synthetic rubber made from chloroprene) is made from oil as is limestone. Both processes release very large amounts of carbon into our atmosphere. In contrast, ZILDOME yoga mats are made from certified YULEX natural rubber that before getting made into a yoga mat foam is carbon neutral.

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What is YULEX PURE natural rubber?

YULEX PURE natural rubber is a premium type of natural solid rubber that removes over 95% of the proteins thought to be involved in Type 1 latex allergies.

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Is chloroprene synthetic rubber really that bad? 

Yes it is and why you will not see any products made from it here at ZILDOME. Both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California categorize chloroprene as a cancer causing agent.

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Certified YULEX natural rubber has not been known to cause Type 1 allergic reactions

Yulex is a material science company developing high performance foams, films and fibers from certified natural rubber, which has not been known to cause Type 1 allergic reactions.

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The Yulex history with Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia

We knew at that moment that we had a partner who was as committed as us to changing consumer behaviors. Yulex immediately adopted Patagonia’s mission and we are a better company having met and being embraced by Patagonia's fearless leader - who thankfully thrives on CHANGE.

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What's the difference between latex and rubber?

YULEX Natural rubber can come in 2 forms: latex and solid. Latex is the liquid emulsion form, whereas the solid is spongy. Both forms are certified.

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Do you know what is in your wetsuit?

All wetsuits whether synthetic rubber like neoprene or geoprene or natural rubber - start with a source of carbon.

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Hmong women still spin and weave hemp fiber

Stories from the road... Sa Pa, Vietnam - We're taking a little break from talking about rubber, but still in keeping with how things are made and stories while we're on the road - Sa Pa, Viet Nam.

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Do you know the origins of the word "rubber" or that it has grades?

Natural rubber use in Central & South Americas since about 1600BC, long before the term "rubber" was coined.

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Who are smallholders?

Smallholders is a term used to describe a farmer in the forest industry who owns a small plot of land (1-3 hectares) that is the sole source of the family income. YULEX and ZILDOME programs support smallholders in Vietnam and in Thailand.

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Why Vietnam natural rubber?

Transportation is one of the largest contributors to green house gases. Hence, to reduce our carbon footprint we need to source certified natural rubber closer to the manufacturing hubs, including Vietnam.

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