In the arid landscapes of Arizona, the guayule plant thrives, its blue-green leaves contrasting against the dry soil at a research and development farm operated by tire giant Bridgestone.
At the forefront of rubber alternatives is Katrina Cornish, a professor at Ohio State University. Cornish dedicates her days to cultivating dandelions and desert shrubs, plants that produce stretchy rubber substances. These innovative materials have potential applications in products like condoms, medical gloves, and parts for trachea tubes.
Cornish believes that the desert shrub guayule and the rubber dandelions, with their vibrant yellow petals, could permanently transform the agricultural landscape of the United States. By harnessing these sustainable resources, the U.S. could pave the way for a new era of eco-friendly and resilient rubber production.
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Can dandelions and shrubs replace rubber in the U.S. in future?
cgtn.com
