41chevy Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 Here I thought Dandelions were only good to make wine!Tires made from dandelions could be available within the next five to ten years according to Continental Tire’s senior vice president of research and development.Increasing demand for natural rubber has lead Continental to look for alternatives, and dandelion roots have become a leading research area for the firm who are developing a new product called Taraxagum.Unlike rubber, which only grows in tropical regions, the Russian dandelion is found across the globe and represents a more ecological solution to increases in demand for natural rubber. Rubber plants yield 1.5-tonnes of material per hectare and, following extensive development, dandelions are now capable of producing a similar crop making the possibility of mass production of a more sustainable tire likely, whilst also placing less dependence on traditional raw materials.Because of the high proportion of natural rubber needed Continental has produced a number of winter tires using the dandelion root rubber in order to fully test the new concept.“We have tire tests in progress with Taraxagum and the tires are showing the same characteristics as regular tires,” said David O’Donnell, Continental senior vice president of R&D. “We will be ready to have a production tire in the next five to ten years, and will then gradually introduce it into volume markets.” 2 Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer52 Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 Maybe dandelions will become a cash crop. If so, the PA farm is a diamond in the rough. Quote Ken PRR Country and Charter member of the "Mack Pack" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 Im not sure if someone is trying to make me look silly here even I know its not April yeah I had a few drinks last night but fair dinks Dandelionswhat will they think of nextPaul 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladislav Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 This makes me thinking about to start collecting them Any ideas on the best way to preserve those roots?Just dry them exposing to the sun or put into cans and penetrate with vodka ? Quote Никогда не бывает слишком много грузовиков! leversole 11.2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ezrider Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 i hate to live by a dandelion farm...lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhead204 Posted December 24, 2014 Share Posted December 24, 2014 finally a crop I could grow with out trying 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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