Introduction:Malaysia is the leading producer of natural rubber in the world. About 46% of the total world’s rubber is produced in Malaysia. The rubber plantation was started in Malaysia in 1877. First, the seedlings were brought from the Amazon Basin, and were planted here on a experimental basis. Later, when the rubber seedlings were successfully planted, attempts were made to produce it on a commercial scale. The British people, who colonised the region and introduced rubber tree, provided the capital for clearing the forest and planting rubber trees. They also provided the market for rubber. The skilled labour that was needed was managed from India, particularly from South India.

Conditions favourable for Rubber Growing:The natural home of wild rubber tree (The Havea

Brasiliensls) is in the Amazon Selvas. Hence the hot-wet climate of Malaysia is

most suitable for its growth. The rubber trees need:

A mean temperature of 27°C, never falling below 22°C.

Heavy rainfall above 200 cm., with no drought.

Deep rich soils with good drainage preferably scrumbly, well-oxidized

and acidic in reaction

Adequate supply of labour is an important factor for the collection and

plantation of rubber over large holdings.

But now these have been split into small family-based holdings to reduce the

capital investment, cost and problems of employing a large labour forces. Half

of total production now comes from small-sized plantations.

Area of Production:Rubber can grow anywhere in

Malaysia, because of the suitability of climate and soil; but most of the rubber

estates are concentrated in the western coastal plains of Malaysia. The

plantation in coastal zone gets the advantage of nearest port for it’s export. Yet

very low areas are avoided in order not to suffer from stagnation of water. The

greatest production is in its Jahore State of Southern Malaysia. Here Rubber

cultivation occupies about 4-2 million acres or about 65% of the total cultivated

area in the country.

Planting of Rubber Trees

The work of a rubber plantation is done very scientifically. Every tree of a

rubber estate is carefully looked after. For this, some special type of labourers

are employed. Rubber is planted from the seedlings, and becomes ready for

tapping in 6 or 7 years. For making the rubber plants high-yielding, its seedlings

are grafted. This is done in a very interesting way. When the seedlings are about

5 or 6 cm. in diameter, buds from the selected high-yielding trees are grafted on

to the seedlings. This is done to transmit the high-yielding quality of the

"mother-tree". The graft is, then, kept bound and left for a few weeks. After a

few weeks the grafted buds sprout. Then, the old tree is cut off just above the

point of union. The grafted seedlings are, then, planted in row 5 or 6 metres

apart from each other. In order to conserve the soil and its fertility, some crop

covers (leguminous creepers etc.) are planted in between the seedling trees.

During the period of its growth, planters take all the measures against pest and

diseases. Manure and fertilizer are regularly added.

Rubber Tapping

Tapping is done by wounding the bark of the rubber trees. It is done by making

a cut at between one and a half metres from the ground at an angle of about 30°

to the horizontal. The cut is about 2 mm. deep. It is made in such a way as to

sever the latex tube but not to damage cambian – a paper like skin between the

bark and the wood. When the liquid latex flows out, it is collected in vessels.

Tapping of the trees is usually done on alternate days. Tapping starts before six

in the morning, and the collection of latex is completely before noon. Tapping

work is done generally by hand. It is very laborious job and requires

considerable skill. There are several tapping system practised in Malaysia, but

the most popular is a "Sloping Cut" made half way round the circumference of

the tree.

Rubber Processing 

COAGULATION

The latex obtained from the tree is treated chemically at the plantation factory.

After the collection of latex, it is sieved to remove the foreign matter. After this,

it is put into tanks and coagulated or thickened by the addition of acetic or

formic acid. Each tank may have several aluminum partitions that allow the

coagulated rubber to be removed in thick slabs. The slabs are, then washed with

acid and passed through rollers which press them into the rubber.

RUBBER TYPES AND GRADES

Pale Crepe. After coagulation, the wet slabs are passed through a creping

machine, and the crepe varies from off-white to pale yellow colour. The

crepe sheets are largely used in making the crepe soles of shoes.

Ribbed Smoked Sheets. Slab rubber can also be passed through a series

of rollers; one of the last set prints a simple pattern, such as crisscross. The

sheet is, then, hung on rocks, in smoking shed, for 48 hours or more to dry.

The smoke is obtained by burning wood or oil. The ribbed smoked sheets are

of a dark amber colour. In trade, they are popularly known as "Ribbed

Smoked Rubber". A huge quantity of ribbed smoked sheets is exported to all

parts of the world.

Hevea Crumb. It is made of adding some chemicals in the latex. It is

produced in the form of a mass of crumb-like pieces instead of sheets. This

new brand is popularly known as the Standard Malaysian Rubber (SMR) or

Hevea-crumb rubber. In this form, the rubber can be conveniently

compressed and packed for export.

Skim Rubber. In the process of coagulation, some ten percent rubber is

left behind in the liquid of coagulation tank. That residual rubber is

recovered by skimming; it is known as Skim Rubber. Skim rubber contains a

much higher proportion of impurities, and so it is less desirable.

Vulcanized Rubber. It is to be noted that the rubber is graded according

to International Standard published by the Rubber Manufacturers

Association of New York.

The starting of rubber plantations in Malaysia has resulted in the rapid

economic development of the area. Roads, railway lines and ports have been

developed, and new areas, with all modern amenities, have been settled by the

people. The population has increased, and the people now maintain a high

standard of living.

Problems of the Rubber Industry

At present, the policies of the Malaysian Government are not as favourable to

foreign investors as previously. The Government regulations, regarding benefits

and wages to native workers, are more strict, and the taxes are higher. The

rubber planters also face the problem of surplus production (it is because the

huge areas are available for the rubber plantation), which results in lowered

prices and profits. The abundant production of synthetic rubber in the U.S.A.

and other countries has also given a great set back to marketing. The synthetic

rubber, which is made from petroleum, coal, alcohol or other materials, is

obtained at a very low cost of production. Another problem is the need to

replace a large proportion of the trees, which are very old, with new ones of

very high yield. The Government has laid a special tax on exported rubber, and

the money, thus, raised is utilized for the cost of replanting trees. Because of all

these hazards, the rubber planters are now converting the rubber estates to

that of palm. But it does not mean that the rubber plantation system will

discontinue. The synthetic rubber is excellent for certain purposes, but it is not

yet as satisfactory as natural rubber for general purposes, such as tyres. As

such, with an expanded role of the Government in the management of the

rubber plantation, the production of rubber in Malaysia will undoubtedly

continue, and, perhaps even increase in importance.

Rubber Export

Malaysia produces about 1-5 million tons of natural rubber annually. A major

part of it is sent to Singapore or Penang, from where it is exported all over the

world.[6] The chief rubber-importing countries are: 

(i) Singapore (for re-export), 

(ii) Russia and European countries, 

(iii) the U.S.A., 

(iv) Japan and 

(v) India.