Thailand is the world's largest producer of natural rubber, the vast majority of it from small-scale farmers. Lab technicians check the quality of latex at the VA Latex rubber factory in Trang province. Factory workers process natural rubber sheets at the Klongpan rubber cooperative in Trang province. "But if one day China announces a plan about sustainable rubber, then local farmers would pay attention," he said. The future of natural rubber should be "very bright" he said, as the alternative -- synthetic rubber produced from oil -- is highly polluting.

Source: Daily Nation February 22, 2023 03:13 UTC