Producing tires with flower power
S. Himmelstein | April 08, 2022
The roots of Taraxacum kok-saghyz, a species of dandelion that has proven to be a valuable alternative to natural rubber trees. Source: Farmed Materials.
U.S. production of rubber, a key raw material in tire manufacturing, is set to receive a bloom-based supply chain boost. Goodyear, the U.S. Department of Defense, The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), BioMADE and Farmed Materials Inc. are partnering to bring dandelion-sourced domestic natural rubber to market more quickly.
About 90% of natural rubber is derived from latex produced by rubber trees sourced in tropical areas outside the U.S. Imports and attendant supply chain challenges can be significantly reduced by domestic production based on the dandelion, identified as a suitable alternative to rubber trees. The dandelion material can be harvested every six months in contrast to the seven-year period that the trees need to yield the latex for rubber production.
The species selected — Taraxacum kok-saghyz — is also resilient and can grow in more temperate climates and is currently being cultivated in Ohio. The natural rubber produced will be used in the production of military aircraft tires that will be built and tested by Goodyear in cooperation with the AFRL at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.
Nice to see new interest in the Russian dandelion after decades of neglect.
It's native to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan who know the difference. It may take 1/2 yr vs 7 for tree rubber, but if you have to pull roots to get the latex, you have to plant it again. I'd like to see economics including energy use and ag-waste disposal before I'd say it has a future. Synthetic rubbers exist with good chemical resistance, controllable properties and uniformity. I know the images, but I am a realist not a chemiphobe. Numbers matter for the environment, too, not just for money and consumer price.
In reply to #2
I believe it can be grown as an annual, like a "regular" dandelion. One strange thing is that it is a short-season dandelion suited to very cold climates, and there is a closely related species that likes longer hot seasons and mild winters. You'd think that one would get most of the research emphasis.
I've got USDA expert Polhamus's book on my shelf Rubber - Botany, Production and Utilization (Interscience, 1962), and the USDA published several shorter works as well.