Dandelions may serve as future providers of rubber
In an innovative stride towards sustainability, scientists from the Dutch biotech firm KeyGene have discovered a promising natural rubber alternative – the common garden weed, dandelion. This development could potentially revolutionize the rubber industry, offering a viable solution to the anticipated global rubber shortage by 2020.
The team at KeyGene is utilising DNA profiling to crossbreed different dandelion varieties, with the aim of producing a breed featuring a fatter root. This larger root is better suited to the quantities of latex required for rubber production. However, it's important to note that dandelion roots alone are not sufficient to meet global demand. To address this, the dandelion is being put through a process of 'plant phenotyping' to improve its yield.
Meanwhile, Hertz Corporation, a leading car rental company, has partnered with Liberty Tire Recycling to sustainably recycle tires from their fleet, approximately 160,000. This initiative is a step towards reducing waste and promoting eco-friendliness in the industry.
In another eco-friendly move, tire company Goodyear is developing soybean-based tires as part of an effort to reduce carbon footprint and increase production of eco-friendly products.
The global demand for rubber is estimated to fall short by 20 percent by 2020, leading to higher prices. This shortage has been a significant concern for industries such as tire manufacturing and construction, driving interest in alternatives to improve supply security and sustainability.
Researchers, notably at the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME) in Germany, have developed a cultivar of the Russian dandelion (Taraxacum kok-saghyz) that produces natural rubber latex comparable in quality to that from Hevea brasiliensis (the traditional rubber tree). This cultivar advances commercial viability through modern cultivation and metabolic optimization techniques.
Collaborations with industry leaders such as Continental Tires have helped scale pilot production to demonstrate feasibility. Continental’s Taraxagum project aims to create a resilient, locally grown rubber source in temperate regions, thus shortening supply chains, reducing emissions, and avoiding tropical climate dependency – a challenge for rubber trees.
The advantages of dandelion rubber are numerous. This plant grows quickly, requires less water, and can be cultivated on non-food-suitable land, potentially avoiding land-use conflicts and enhancing sustainability relative to latex from traditional rubber plantations.
However, overall latex content in wild dandelions is low, and large-scale agricultural and processing infrastructure is still under development. The cost, yield consistency, and scalability have not yet fully matched established rubber plantations.
Despite these challenges, the period up to 2020 saw mainly pilot projects, genetic and agricultural improvements, and collaboration between industry and research to prepare for scaling. The potential for meeting global rubber demand sustainably is recognized, particularly due to its ability to grow in temperate climates and reduce reliance on tropical rubber trees.
California's drought has raised awareness about water conservation, and this new development in dandelion-based natural rubber could contribute to water savings during the rubber production process.
In conclusion, while dandelion rubber shows strong potential as a sustainable alternative to tropical rubber, it has not yet become a broadly commercialized supply source. The period up to 2020 saw mainly pilot projects, genetic and agricultural improvements, and collaboration between industry and research to prepare for scaling. As these efforts continue, we move closer to a future where sustainable, locally sourced rubber could become a reality.
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