Currently these are the only two latex manufacturers that produce "natural talalay latex", which means natural latex only, (no synthetic) and manufactured using the "talalay process. The technology to produce this product is highly complicated and costly raising the threshold for any new latex manufacturer to compete in this area. It's not only the expense of equipment but also the actual pouring and manufacturing process that raises the cost of this product. The pouring nozzels require an almost hourly cleaning, creating stops in production, and thus higher labor costs. Contrast that to the talalay process using blended latex requiring nozzle cleaning every 8 hours.

In my estimation there will be no new manufacturers of natural talalay because the investment does not justify the results. The quality gap between the talalay process and the standard process has been narrowed with improved technology in the standard process area. The process has improved thus the end product. (also called the Dunlop process but not to be confused with the company Dunlopillo which only uses the talalay process)

The Talalay process stills delivers the finest latex foam for mattresses....
but how much better is natural talalay latex than blended talay latex? Here's my anology. A tire that will get you 50,000 miles costs $100 but you can get a better tire that lasts 55,000 miles but it will cost you $140. Will you pay 40% more for 10% more quality. Probably not, at least based on comfort and durability reasoning, but there might other motives for a person to make a different choice.

Dunlopillo was really the only source of "natural talalay" latex until 2005 when Latex International and an "all natural formula" to the "Talatech"™ line. Of the total talalay latex process for both companies approximately 95% is blended and 5% natural.

The letter below announced the addition of natural talay to Talatech line

February 11, 2005

Latex International (LI) certifies that the compound utilized to make its TalatechTM natural latex mattress cores and toppers includes natural latex rubber harvested from the “Hevea Brasiliensis” rubber tree, currently sourced from tropical plantations in western Africa, as well as soaps and curing agents. We do NOT use any man-made or synthetic latex in our Talatech™ natural latex formula.

The majority of 100% natural latex sleep products are produced via the Dunlop process, while our latex is produced via the Talalay process. LI's proprietary compound mix required by the complex Talalay process includes raw materials such as natural rubber latex, zinc oxide, fatty acid soaps, and sulfur, which are needed for the vulcanization, foaming, and curing process.

Our natural formula makes the highest quality, most durable, resilient, and consistent latex in the world. After curing, our latex is washed 5 times to remove any proteins and residuals. Latex International ILD or firmness tests all of our natural latex products in 9 locations to ensure uniform feel throughout the latex core. Durability tests prove our latex is the most consistent and durable natural latex product in the world, which means a longer comfort life for consumers.

Latex International performs very stringent durability testing to compare its latex to its competitors. · Compression Set Test: Samples are clamped to 50% of their original thickness for 22 hours at 158F, removed and % loss in thickness is measured. Higher values indicate a higher propensity for the product to take a set over time. This test is used to simulate the body impression effect on the foam after a person lies on the bed for extended periods of time.

% Loss of Latex Core Thickness:
LI TalatechTM Natural Latex: 4.2%
Asian Natural Latex: 12.5% (198% > than LI natural)

Please feel free to call me with any questions.

Sincerely,
Anthony Mancini
Director, Foam Operations
510 River Road

Shelton, CT 06484
Tel: 203-924-0700
Fax: 203-924-0699