Continental A.G. has inaugurated its laboratory in Anklam, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany, for research into the production of rubber from the Russian dandelion, one year after breaking ground on the 323,000-sq.-ft. facility.
The Taraxagum Lab Anklam, which represents an investment of nearly $40 million, is dedicated to the study of dandelion rubber farming and extraction methods, working toward producing an alternative to traditional rubber tree plantations in the tropics.
Nikolai Setzer, a member of the Continental board and head of its Tire division, noted that the company intends to use dandelion rubber routinely within the next 10 years. The ultimate goal, he added, is for Taraxagum-branded products to meet a significant part of the company’s natural rubber requirement.
“We see Russian dandelion as an important alternative and complement to conventional natural rubber from hevea brasiliensis to allow us to meet rising global demand in an environmentally compatible and reliable way,” Mr. Setzer said.
Read the full press release here.
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