Case Study: Yulex Makes ’Save’ for Soccer Boy
In October 2005, the Suyematsu family followed advice from Johns Hopkins University Medical Center allergists and contacted Yulex Corporation about the possibility of making a soccer glove for their son, Corey, so he could continue playing goalie for his premier soccer team. Corey has a severe latex allergy and was about to give up the sport because goalie gloves are made from tropical natural rubber latex which contains proteins that cause reactions for people with latex allergy.
Having tried other synthetic materials for the gloves, the family found them unsuitable for the high level of friction needed to catch a wet soccer ball. Yulex made the palm material for goalie gloves and now Corey is sporting gloves made from Yulex® natural rubber and he’s able to keep goal with a product that is both safe and high-performing.
“The material appears to have much better durability and dirt resistance than the latex foam in regular gloves and it’s safe for my son, which matters the most,” says Curtis Suyematsu.
Studies show that 8% of the general population, 10% of healthcare workers, and 73% of spina bifida patients have latex allergy symptoms. With more than 40,000 products made with natural rubber latex, it is a prevalent part of every day life.
As the manufacturer of Yulex® natural rubber, Yulex Corporation works closely with these product manufacturers and allergy associations to develop products that are safer for people with Type I latex allergy. Yulex® natural rubber also comes from a renewable and sustainable source so products developed from the material are safer for the environment than alternatives derived from synthetic sources.
Consumer products made from Yulex® natural rubber that are in development include dipped latex products such as medical gloves, heart catheters and condoms, foamed goods like pillows and mattresses, sporting goods like goalie gloves for allergic children, and baby goods such as bottles, pacifiers and breast pumps.
Yulex Corporation continues to lead the proprietary technology behind guayule-based consumer goods.
