Natural rubber is essentially a polymer of isoprene units. The material properties of natural rubber make it an elastomer and a thermoplastic. It is often vulcanized to improve resilience, elasticity and to prevent it from perishing.  The latex is poured into flat pans, and mixed with formic acid, which serves as a coagulant. Than the wet sheets of rubber are put through a press before they are sent onto factories where vulcanization and further processing takes place. The major commercial source of natural latex (used to create the rubber) is the Para rubber tree. This is because it responds to wounding by producing more latex. Malaysia is one the biggest producer of rubber. Natural rubber not only comes from a renewable resource, but the presence of the rubber tree acts as a carbon dioxide sink for the use of that rubber in service and if necessary through its disposal via combustion.

Natural rubber raw material is used in the manufacture of industrial products, automotive products, latex products and adhesives. The major users of natural rubber are the tire and footwear industries.