As most every homeowner knows, dandelions are extremely hearty plants. And one particular strain from Russia is so durable its roots could serve as the basis for automobile tires instead of conventional rubber trees.
Continental Tires in Ft. Mill, South Carolina, says they’ve developed a set of tires in which the tread is made from this particular dandelion’s natural latex rubber used as a polymer. It’s officially called Taraxagum, and Continental says it could put weed-based tires into production within the next five-to-10 years.
Its merits are many: Russian dandelions produce latex in a year’s time, versus seven years for a rubber tree, and can thrive in a larger part of the globe than the so-called “rubber belt” across the equator.
“Dandelions are an undemanding plant, growing in moderate climates and on land not suitable for food production,” says Continental’s Dr. Carla Recker. “This means that rubber production is conceivable near our tire factories, for instance, and the significantly shorter transport routes would also reduce CO2 emissions.”
— Jim Gorzelany
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