Electron beam vulcanization as a sustainable processing technology for value-added natural rubber in the agroindustry

Natural rubber (NR), a key agricultural commodity in tropical agroindustry, is widely used in value-added products such as gloves, medical devices, and packaging materials. However, conventional sulfur-based vulcanization remains energy-intensive and generate chemical residues, posing environmental and occupational challenges. This study introduces electron beam (EB) irradiation as a cleaner and energy-efficient alternative for vulcanizing NR compounds used in glove production. NR compounds films were irradiated with various EB, characterized and compared with thermally vulcanized samples. The results demonstrated that EB irradiation effectively promotes C-C crosslink formation at optimal conditions, producing high-quality rubber films without high thermal input. Compared with conventional methods, EB vulcanization offers significant advantages in reducing energy use and chemical waste while maintaining excellent material performance. These findings highlight the potential of EB irradiation as an innovative green processing technology, advancing sustainability and eco-friedly rubber manufacturing within the agro-industrial value chain.