Where does kapok come from?

Kapok fiber is a natural, vegetable-based, cotton-like substance that surrounds the seeds in the pods of the Ceiba tree, and is actually a tiny cellulose tube with air sealed inside. The Ceiba tree is native to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, northern South America, and to tropical west Africa.

Since kapok is totally natural, it's a nice find for those people who have a desire to use natural and sustainable resources. Kapok's superior resilient qualities are in its very growing. Chemicals are not needed for this crop to grow. Nor is the ground tilled, which keeps the rainforest alive and healthy. This also provides sustainable jobs in the rainforest.

The material is removed by hand, dried, separated from the seeds, and prepared for export. It is too brittle and inelastic to be spun, but it is ideal for stuffing life preservers and other water-safety equipment because of its excellent buoyancy. It can support as much as 30 times its own weight in water and loses only 10 percent of its buoyancy over a 30-day period. Kapok fiber is also a popular stuffing for pillows, mattresses, upholstery, sleeping bags, quilts, and jackets because it is lightweight, non-toxic, odorless, moisture-resistant, quick-drying, and resilient. The fiber is also used for soundproofing and insulation.