Tires from dandelions

Dandelions you can see anywhere: in your garden, in the field, or even just near any way – they are quite finicky to grow anywhere. Dutch biotechnology company KeyGene plans to find the roots of dandelion latex, in order to create a new material for manufacturing tires. It is established that by 2020 the world demand for rubber will increase significantly, namely by 20 percent, this is what you need to look for alternative ways of making latex. Common weeds that we almost see every day outside his door, can thereby become an alternative source of obtaining the latex, and even will generate revenue of 100 billion US dollars.





As usual the roots of the dandelion are too small to be viable for commercial production, the firm plans to develop new varieties of dandelions and using the technology of DNA profiles, in other words, to modify our dandelion. By crossing our Russian dandelion and the standard dandelion, they hope to strengthen the root stock and to increase the level of latex production. The process will include analysis of various samples in the greenhouse where they are grown, search and analysis of all possible mutations, and then the selection of genetic material that will increase yields and resistance to environmental influences and various diseases is exposed to this plant. The researchers did not introduce foreign genes from other types of crops. They chose to use the natural process of evolution, but to facilitate its passage in a shorter time.





“Many manufacturers in Europe want genetically enhanced crops, but not GMO crops. So for them we can provide an alternative. We have developed a number of technologies that allow you to very quickly genetically improve the culture closest to the natural ways, without crossing the barriers of certain types,” said KeyGene CEO Arjen van Tunen.
The international tire manufacturer Apollo Vredestein joined the company KeyGene and now they work together to use the flower in their order. The prototype bus has already been made, and the team believes that commercial dandelion tires can really go on the market, but only five years later.

Source: /users/104

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