Introduction

The history of Sri Lnaka’s rubber industry began way back in 1876 with the planting of rubber trees while took place in Henerathgoda. While the latex coming out from the rubber tree is used in the manufacture of various rubber products, even the timber is used, in treated form for producing furniture and other timber based products. The rubber industry generates employment to a vast number of people mainly from rural areas, where the estates are. Starting from the tapping of latex to, the manufacture of semi finished or semi processed rubber and products (primary products) and moving forward to the manufacturing of value added products combined with those involved in trading the rubber industry provides employment to around 200,000 persons. In the year 2002 approx. 91000 metric tons of rubber was produced in Sri Lanka. Out of which 55000 was consumed within the country. Accordingly about 60% of the total production is used by the local industry. (for local consumption as well as for export products) Presently, Sri Lanka produces about 100,000 metric tons of rubber annually, country. This trend continues with Sri Lanka exporting about 30% of the rubber production in raw form while 70% is used by the domestic industries. Value of Sri Lanka’s rubber industry exports has been growing steadily from approx. US$ 135 mn in 1995 to more than US$ 283 mn in 2004 and increasing to US$ 442 in 2005. Out of this value, rubber products export value consists of around 80%. Sri Lanka can boast of international accepted products such as solideal branded industrial tires manufactured here by Loadstar Ltd. Dipped products are sold all over the world, their household and industrial gloves being marketed under many brand names. Loadstar enjoys more than 20% of the international market There are multinational companies too in operation in Sri Lanka namely Ansell Lanka Ltd., which manufactures latex based products and Trelleborg Lanka Ltd produces solid tyres to the global market.

Tyres, tubes
Hot water bottles
Auto parts
Industrial components
Gloves, condoms, balloons
Boots, shoe soles
Jar seals
Carpets, mattresses

Natural rubber
Synthetic rubber
Chemicals, dyes and moulds

Technology
Sri Lanka has global leaders and world renowned produces using latex technology.Quality Standards

ISO 9000, 1400
BS
ASTM
JS
CE

Certifications for Export

Certification in keeping with standards
No other specific license and certificate for rubber product exports

Related Institutions/Associations

The Sri Lanka Society of Rubber Industry (SRI)
Sri Lanka Association of manufacturers and Exporters of Rubber Products (SLAMERP)

Colombo Rubber Traders Association (CRTA)
Planters Association (PA)
The SME Rubber Manufacturers Association
The Rubber Research institution
Industrial Technology Institute
Industrial Development Board
Rubber Development Department
Sri Lanka Export Development Board