In China much of the natural rubber is produced on collective farms. Raw rubber processing It is possible for smallholder cooperatives to convert the latex gathered from their trees into high grade sheet rubber using relatively simple equipment powered by manual effort and solar drying. There is a further group of about four major tyre companies which are regional, rather than global. The USA currently dominates corporate activity within this sector, but Japanese and South Korean firms are also very active. Manufacturers within the industrial sector focus on the application of knowledge, have the ability to achieve global distribution and offer a package of products.
Footwear tends to be manufactured in natural rubber producing countries .
From the standpoint of natural rubber, an especially important sector is the manufacture of engineering components for use in sound and vibration control in structures, aircraft, rocket motors, locomotives, ships, docks, flood control barriers, etc. Furthermore, savings can be made through the bulk purchase of items like carbon black and accelerators for vulcanization. Within large corporations certain plants may specialize in supplying compounded rubber to factory units which lack such facilities, or minimize them. End uses The major breakdown of end uses is illustrated in the figure. There are many small manufacturers which purchase compounded rubber and supply moulded components to the automotive and other industries.