If you've got a bed, a pillow or soft foamy things at home, most often than not you've got a URATEX product. The company that have started to produce polyurethane foam in 1968 by Robert Cheng promised only one thing in particular, to provide comfort for life.
We visited their plant in Muntinlupa a few months ago and it was a first for me. Honestly, I felt like a kid going on a field trip. Though the place was filled with onlookers wondering who we were, and what we were doing there. Security was strict, you can't go walking or crossing the street if you're not in a designated area. They said it's because they wanted both visitors and employees to be safe since their trucks and forklifts travel very fast inside the plant. A single mishap would disrupt production and they just want things in order. That part is really understandable.
Each foam maker have their own formula in making this, but what they are basically doing is trapping air inside the product after having chemical reaction. These chemicals are stored in huge silos inside their property and are kept in constant temperatures to make that perfect foam. It is in liquid form and when they get combined in the machines, they just let it expand and stay on its form.
A special wax paper is also used so it wouldn't stick on the conveyor belt. It just basically "happens" on its own then they let it rise.
Then they cut it into the length of their warehouse so it could be arranged and sit to dry them for a few days. You might think it's already good foam at its state but inside, it's still hot, wet and raw.
They use huge cranes to arrange these on lanes that are also either manually done or computerized. The drying also goes in stages and after it dries you can already cut them up for whatever purpose you want to use it for.
They also use metal rods so they can stick it into these foams to check for temperature. The outside layer may look dry but it's bubbling hot inside if it just came out of the machines. People here take precautions so none of them get into an accident as safety is their first priority especially in this part of the production.
They cut up those huge logs into blocks like these, some of which could be 10x as big as your bed. Different densities for different applications. If you want a softer bed, a softer foam. If you want a firmer bed, then they can make you one as hard as a rock.
They drop, spin and cut them with knives and hot wires so they would look like your everyday foam beds. They also have these processes organized so they don't have to go to other warehouses to finish one product.
They even make special foams for sound proofing, the ones under the carpet, or the ones carved like hands for sports events like UAAP or PBA. I'm sure you've seen some of that!
As part of URATEX's environmental responsibility, they don't waste any materials and use them jagged cuts to create new foams for flooring and carpet appliques. Unfortunately, old foams would not be safe to recycle because of hygienic purposes. It's understandable because imagine the years of dirt that goes through every bed in a lifetime. Uratex is always finding ways to be environmentally responsible, starting in their own turf in Alabang. Utilities, Water, garbage, packaging, are all monitored so they would be sure to keep clean in the facility.
If you wish to visit them at their Parañaque plant, they've got a full store too in front of the property. The store can cater to your needs if you need plastic, foam, quality premium beds that can satisfy even the most discriminating people. For those who want to have the dreamiest place to sleep when they get home from work, I suggest you also try and check their premium mattresses - especially the models that are firm to lie on, some of which are so awesome, soft and cuddly to sleep in - we all tried it there. Oh yes! The whole line is available for viewing, so you may go ahead and try it out if you're looking for the perfect bed. We just did!
It was a joy to be with very nice people from Uratex, thank you so much for having me that afternoon. I enjoyed it a lot, and really learned so much in just a few hours. Thank you and I hope the next time I write about them, I can tell you more about why I have Uratex in my home too.
For more information about their products:
Uratex Philippines
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