Project

The multidisciplinary EU-PEARLS project aims at the development of two alternative natural rubber sources for Europe; rubber production from guayule and Russian dandelion.

This concept is new for Europe in the sense that there are no previous EU projects devoted to local natural rubber production to build upon. The project fits well in other EU initiatives, such as “Plants for the future”.

Until now, the plant species guayule, an indigenous shrub of Mexico and the southern states of the USA, has attracted most attention. The rubber from guayule has similar polymeric properties as rubber harvested from the rubber tree. Moreover, it meets the new ASTM standard for rubber that is hypoallergenic (low in protein, and different proteins from Hevea). Over the last decades, research and development on guayule has principally occurred in the USA.

Russian dandelion has shown its potential already during World War II when army vehicles were equipped with tyres made from Russian dandelion rubber, but much RTD efforts are needed to achieve the same technology level currently enjoyed by guayule.

Print this page