Talalay is a latex manufacturing process developed about 70-80 years ago. As you can probably tell, the name comes from the developers: Joseph Talalay and his sons, Leon and Anselm. They held about 50 patents globally. Throughout history, the Talalay process has evolved constantly in accordance with technological advances. The first Talalay production plants were built in the UK, Canada, and the US.
In the modern age, Talalay latex is made in 7 steps:
- Liquid latex is mechanically mixed (like whipping a bowl of cream)
- This batter is poured into a mold, filling it only partially
- The mold is vacuum-sealed, and the whipped latex expands in response to conform to the whole mold
- The whole thing is frozen to −28 °C. Note that this step is unique to Talalay and ensures a consistent cell structure
- Carbon dioxide is added to the latex. This forms carbonic acid that changes the pH from alkaline to a neutral state (~7), triggering the foam to set
- The mold temperature is increased to 115 °C for vulcanization – a chemical process that allows the formation of cross-links between long rubber molecules, enhancing a wide range of physical parameters such as elasticity, resilience, tensile strength
- The latex is removed from the mold to be thoroughly washed and dried for packaging. The freshwater rinsing stage removes all latex proteins and other impurities that may cause an allergic reaction
Due to its unique complexity, not all factories have the capacity and ability to manufacture through the Talalay technique, and we are very proud to be among the selected few that excel in this. We have been dedicated to a high-quality insurance system, perfecting every detail in the Talalay manufacturing cycle, to only bring you the finest products made with 100% natural latex. Many customers who prefer a softer, bouncier pillow with gentle support and higher breathability would opt for the Talalay pillows. Currently, within this category, there are two shapes to choose from, the original or the ergonomic. Some of our customers prefer a classic, original shape that they are used to, while others would go for the ergonomic one that follows the natural curve of their body. Either way, no matter which one you fall for, they are all designed to make you sleep like a baby.