It’s true—rubber grows on trees. Well, sort of. Natural rubber is made from the rubber tree, also known as the Hevea brasilienesis. The latex within that tree is turned into natural rubber. It’s important to note that there is only one kind of natural rubber. And, the rubber tree only thrives in hot, damp regions.

 By cutting a slanted slice into the bark of the tree, but not too deep or it will keep the tree, the latex flows out. At the bottom of that slice, a container collects any latex droppings. This is a relatively slow process, with about a cup flowing every three hours. After which a new incision must be made just under the first cut.

 Rubber is usually cultivated in large plantations, such as those in Kerala, India. In Kerala, coconuts are in abundance and the half shell is used to collect latex. The shell is supported by a wire that encircles the tree.

 But, the latex cannot just sit there because once it contacts with air it begins to solidify. To stop this, substances such as ammonia are added to keep it in its liquid state longer.

 After the rubber is completely collected, most of it is vulcanized. Vulcanization is a process in which rubber is heated and sulfer is added. This ensures the rubber will become a more stable product, ready for product formation.

 The liquid rubber is then poured into heated molds designed for their specific use, in this case, your floor mats! Pre-historical uses for rubber date back to the Olmecs, and then was later passed to the Ancient Mayan civilization who boiled the harvested latex to make sports balls.