Yulex LLC have been making significant waves in the surf industry for several years now. The company is best known for the innovative development of an all natural material that has been gaining popularity due to its incredible properties. Yulex has been embraced by inspirational brands including Patagonia and Finisterre across their industry leading wetsuit ranges.
Based in Arizona, and founded in 2000 by Jeff Martin, Yulex LLC has been laser focused on developing and refining the use of Yulex in a variety of applications under the supervision of CBO Liz Bui.
What is a Yulex Wetsuit?
Yulex is a natural plant-based rubber derived from guayule. This incredible botanical is native to the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico, and has been cherished for centuries due to its medicinal properties.
In recent years, Yulex wetsuits have become a genuine and essential alternative to traditional construction methods. For decades the synthetic and petroleum-based material neoprene has been the mainstay of the wetsuit industry, with several legacy brands recently switching to a limestone based neoprene to surreptitiously tick sustainability boxes.
While neoprene is an effective insulator, it is unfortunately a non-renewable material with a complex structure. A staggering 8,380 tonnes of neoprene products end up in landfill each year. Imagine 400 double decker buses parked up side by side, that’s the sort of weight we’re talking about! The cold, hard truth is that most of these old wetsuits end up being incinerated.
Yulex, on the other hand, is a sustainable and renewable resource that is produced without the use of toxic manufacturing processes. The production of Yulex is also far less resource-intensive than traditional or limestone neoprene.
Yulex wetsuits are gaining popularity among surfers due to their incredible durability, comfort, warmth, and eco credentials. A well made Yulex wetsuit lasts for many years with proper care and maintenance as proven by Patagonia and Finisterre.
Can Yulex Wetsuits be Recycled?
Recycling initiatives for traditional neoprene wetsuits tend to focus on the chlorinated and fluorinated foams used as insulation in diving suits or other thermal garments rather than entire wetsuits. The fact that neoprene is not biodegradable has been identified as a major barrier to sustainability and recycling initiatives.
As a result traditional and limestone neoprene is not recycled on a large scale.
Yulex wetsuits are fully recyclable, which totally changes the landscape of wetsuit end of life processes. Yulex is also biodegradable and compostable which adds to the benefits of owning a Yulex wetsuit.
What Other Surf Products are Made From Yulex?
Another significant impact of Yulex on the surf industry is its use in surfboard traction pads, the foam pads that are stuck to the deck of a surfboard, providing surfers with added grip and control.
Traditionally, traction pads have been made from synthetic materials, such as EVA foam, which have a significant impact on the environment. Yulex traction pads are highly durable and provide excellent grip, making them an ideal choice for surfers.