There is a global shortage of natural rubber, and dandelions may be coming to the rescue. During the Second World War, there was such a severe shortage of rubber that the Allies used the Russian dandelion, Taraxacum koksaghyz, from Kazakhstan. Soviet scientists discovered that the roots of this dandelion produced enough white milky latex to make natural rubber. However, when the war ended, producers returned to the traditional rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis.
Renewed Interest in Dandelion Rubber
Today, the demand for rubber is increasing, while rubber trees are suffering from a fungal disease and the impacts of extreme weather caused by the climate crisis. Scientists are therefore looking again at using dandelions. The added benefit is that they grow in temperate climates, are a sustainable crop that does not need pesticides or large amounts of water, and do not lead to deforestation common in tropical rubber tree plantations.
Biotech Innovations in Norwich
A biotech partnership in Norwich is now developing a high-yielding Russian dandelion with large, fast-growing roots. These plants are housed in glasshouses and grown without soil using a misty air system. The aim is to produce about 3,000 tonnes of rubber annually.
German Bicycle Tyres from Dandelions
In Germany, bicycle tyres have already been made from rubber using dandelions bred for increased latex content. This demonstrates the potential for dandelion rubber to become a viable alternative to traditional rubber tree products.
The return to this wartime solution highlights the importance of innovative approaches to sustainable agriculture and materials science in addressing global shortages and environmental challenges.
