We’ve used an innovative chemistry and a different manufacturing process versus standard balls. To get sciencey and nerdy, rubber lacrosse balls are compounded and consist of vulcanized rubber with chemical plasticizers to make them soft. PEARL X and NX lacrosse balls are made from a crosslinked compounded elastomer with no chemical plasticizers.
There are two main advantages to PEARL X balls:
The chemical plasticizers in the rubber balls are the main culprits for a greasy ball because they separate from the elastomer over time, especially with extreme temperature, sun exposure, precipitation, and friction. PEARL X lacrosse balls’ engineered elastomer crosslinks at the time of manufacture and helps the ball keep a more consistent surface texture.
PEARL X’s chemistry yields an advanced material that won’t harden or change over time like the vulcanized rubber used in standard balls (and car tires).