latex_process

Dunlop or Talalay, that is the question.

There's a lot of confusion about what Dunlop and Talalay mean. They are neither types of latex nor types of rubber trees, but types of processing. Dunlop is a process that's been around since 1929 and involves the traditional manufacturing method. Talalay is the name of a newer process. Here's how they differ.

Dunlop

When Dunlop latex is made, the serum is frothed in a centrifuge, poured into a mold, covered and baked at a low temperature. The natural sediments in the latex settle to the bottom of the mold, which yields a layer that is slightly firmer on the bottom side.

Talalay

In the Talalay process, after the latex is poured, the mold is sealed and air is vacuumed out. Then the mold is flash-frozen to stabilize the material. This produces a more consistent cell structure, as some of the weaker air bubbles are vacuumed out. Because of the added steps, Talalay latex is more expensive than Dunlop.

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What's the difference between Talalay latex and Dunlop process latex?

The Talalay process is a highly controlled, sophisticated latex manufacturing process that produces the highest quality and most consistent latex available in the world. The Dunlop process is the most commonly used production method globally.

Talalay Process

The major difference between the two processes is what happens in the mold just prior to the initial latex curing stage. In the Talalay process only a small amount of latex compound is poured into the mold. Air is extracted to perfectly distribute the foamed liquid inside the mold and to create a consistent round, open cell structure. The mattress core is flash frozen to lock the cell structure in place and to prevent the particles from settling.

In the Dunlop process, the molds are filled to the rim, air is not added, and there is no freeze stage. Therefore, the latex cell structure is less "airy". Gravity takes over and particles settle creating a denser product than Talalay latex.

Dunlop Process

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