Recycling condom now a viable and profitable business

Recycling condom is now a viable and profitable business, thanks to the increasing price of rubber worldwide.

The prices of all types of rubber have gone up by about 20 percent since last year.

Condom suppliers confirmed that prices of extra sensitive, extra protection and other condoms have increased, but the average consumer has not felt it yet as suppliers have absorbed the price increases.

But this may not last as prices continue to rise. And it is all due to the shortage of rubber.

Southeast Asia is one of the main suppliers of rubber for the market, exporting to China, Korea and other parts of Asia.

The Asian financial crisis hit the capital-intensive rubber industry hard, contributing to the present low supply as manufacturers either went bust or cut back on production. 

According to analysts, the low supply situation today is made worse because it coincides with the Dragon year of the Chinese calendar.

During this year, many Chinese couples are supposed to produce dragon baby in accordance of tradition, but many of them are going through the motion due to the fear of the I Love You Virus.

Analysts expect prices to go up for the next two years before the cycle reaches its peak.

In Singapore, this has made it profitable for commercial condom recycling efforts.

Condom  recycling

One company has set up 100 of such recycling bins around East Coast and in six months, it plans to add another 400 at Geylang and Fort Canning Hill.

This does not mean the quality of the condom will be compromised as a lot of R&D efforts has been put in by this company to ensure that the condom look, smell and taste like new.