Comparative analysis of PVC, EVA, NBR, TPE, rubber, cork and PU yoga mats to understand their impact on performance, durability and sustainability
In the past year, millions of yoga mats have been sold worldwide. Almost half of the mats purchased each year are made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride). This material, along with other petroleum-based derivatives such as TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), and EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), dominates a market where sustainability is often an afterthought. But what real impact do these materials have on the planet and on your practice?
Considering the global production of mats manufactured with petroleum derivatives, approximately 70 percent of yoga mats sold each year are made of plastic. This represents about 25 million petroleum-based mats marketed annually across the globe.
Among plastics, PVC is one of the most polluting consumer materials. To achieve flexibility in yoga mats, phthalates and other plasticizers are added, which makes it extremely difficult to recycle. It can also take centuries to break down, releasing chemical substances during the process.
“For years we have practiced yoga on materials that take centuries to disappear. It is a contradiction: we seek personal wellbeing on products that create permanent harm to the planet”, explains David Almazán, founder of oléyoga.
For years we have practiced yoga on materials that take centuries to disappear.
Other synthetic foams, such as EVA and NBR, are also produced through intensive chemical processes. Although EVA is a lighter and partially recyclable foam, it still comes from petroleum. NBR offers greater resistance and durability, but it has a higher environmental impact and its degradation is complex. TPE is presented as a less toxic and more recyclable option than PVC, yet it remains a synthetic polymer whose environmental impact depends on the formulation chosen by each manufacturer.
Compared to petroleum-based polymers, there are sustainable alternatives such as natural rubber. This material is obtained from the sap of the rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis, and is a renewable resource. For this reason, yoga mats made with natural rubber are biodegradable and recyclable. While a PVC mat may take centuries to decompose, a natural rubber mat can break down in approximately five to ten years.
There are also other natural materials such as cork or jute fiber. Cork comes from the bark of the cork oak, a renewable resource whose extraction does not require cutting down the tree. However, it is not possible to manufacture functional yoga mats that are one hundred percent cork or one hundred percent jute. Cork on its own is too hard and brittle, while jute, as a fiber, is too thin, rough and lacks structural support.
For this reason, these mats need a flexible base that provides stability, cushioning and durability. In many cases, this base is made of plastic-derived foams such as PVC, EVA or TPE. So even if the surface appears natural, the mat as a whole is not always sustainable.
“If yoga seeks coherence between body, mind and environment, the surface we practice on should also reflect that philosophy”, Almazán says.
The surface we practice on should also reflect that philosophy
As you can imagine, not all yoga mats are the same. The material determines their performance, durability and, above all, their impact on health and the planet. This is why we have prepared a comparative table with the most important criteria for a yoga mat: grip, weight, durability and sustainability.
| Material | Common composition | Does it degrade? | Grip | Estimated weight (4 mm) | Durability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PVC | Petroleum-derived plastic | No, takes centuries to decompose | Moderate, can become slippery with sweat | ≈ 1.2 kg | High, 5+ years | Affordable and resistant, but contains phthalates and toxic additives. Its production generates highly polluting waste. |
| EVA | Ethylene vinyl acetate foam | No, non-biodegradable polymer | Basic, suitable for beginners | ≈ 1.1 kg | Medium, 2–4 years | Very lightweight and flexible. Can be recycled into other products but is still a plastic material. |
| NBR | Synthetic rubber, nitrile butadiene | No, does not degrade naturally | Moderate, good cushioning | ≈ 1.6 kg | High, 5+ years | Thick and resistant but with a high environmental footprint. More common in fitness mats than conscious yoga mats. |
| TPE | Synthetic copolymer, plastic plus rubber | Partial, some formulas are recyclable | Good, anti-slip texture | ≈ 1.3 kg | Medium, 2–4 years | Alternative to PVC without phthalates. Environmental impact varies depending on composition and manufacturing quality. |
| Natural rubber (100%) | Latex from Hevea brasiliensis | Yes, decomposes in 5–10 years | Excellent, improves with moisture | ≈ 2.5 kg | High, 3–5 years | Superior grip and stability. May emit a natural scent from terpenes at first. Renewable and compostable. |
| Cork plus base | Cork surface on natural rubber or sometimes TPE/PVC | Depends on the base: cork is biodegradable, the base may not be | Very good, especially with sweat | ≈ 1.6 kg | Medium, 2–4 years | Cork is renewable and antimicrobial, but the real sustainability depends on the base material. |
| Eco PU plus natural rubber | PU top layer with rubber base | Partial, rubber degrades but PU is synthetic | Very good, absorbs sweat well | ≈ 2.9 kg | High, 3–5 years | Excellent technical performance. No PVC or phthalates. More resistant to mold and easy to clean, but not fully biodegradable. |
Choosing a sustainable mat does not mean sacrificing practice quality. On the contrary, natural rubber mats offer superior grip, great stability and a long lifespan.
At oléyoga, we believe that yoga practice should be aligned with protecting the planet. This is why our Eco Daily mats are manufactured in Europe with rubber and a recycled rubber. The mats are OEKO-TEX certified and reversible so they last twice as long as a conventional mat.
In a world driven by overproduction and fast consumption, choosing a conscious yoga mat becomes a form of yoga off the mat.
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oléyoga is a sustainable yoga mat brand made without plastics, using natural rubber. Designed to offer high performance, safety and low environmental impact, its mats promote a conscious, ethical practice that is aligned with the care of the planet.
