Watch: How Rubber Bands Are Manufactured At The Mill

Rubber bands, omnipresent in households across India, serve many purposes, from sealing packets of sweets to various other everyday applications. Despite their commonplace presence, the intricate process of manufacturing these seemingly simple items is often overlooked. A fascinating glimpse into this manufacturing process was shared on Instagram, providing insight into the journey from sap collection to the final product.

In the video, the manufacturing journey begins with the collection of sap, either natural or synthetic, usually arriving at the factory in large bales. The initial step involves extruding the rubber into lengthy tubes, laying the foundation for the subsequent techniques applied in shaping the rubber bands. This pivotal stage in production allows for the implementation of various methods to achieve the desired outcome.

The rubber plantation is the starting point for processing the harvested latex before packing and shipment. The initial purification stage involves straining the latex, extracting other components, and eliminating contaminants such as tree sap and debris. The cleaned rubber then undergoes consolidation in sizable vats, where the addition of acetic or formic acid causes rubber particles to coalesce into slabs. Following this, the slabs are subjected to drying processes, involving compression between rollers. The dried slabs are subsequently moulded into blocks or bales, typically measuring 2 to 3 square feet (.6 or .9 square meters), and are prepared for shipment to various industries. The dimensions of these blocks are tailored to the capacity of each rubber plantation.

While these rubber bands manifest in a plethora of colours in the market, their historical usage extended beyond packaging to include hair ties. However, contemporary concerns about hair breakage have prompted the exploration of alternative materials for hair bands. Today, a variety of materials are employed to address these concerns, reflecting the ongoing evolution in the utility and design of this seemingly ordinary household item.