Tyre and vehicle technologies manufacturer Continental has made test tyres from dandelion rubber and says these could go into production within 5—10 years.
Together with partner the Fraunhofer Institute, Continental has been developing a high-yield, robust Russian dandelion, which can be grown in climates close to the tyre manufacturer's European factories.
The first test tyres are winter tyres for passenger cars.
The company is branding the material Taraxagum, derived from the botanical name for dandelion, and says this is a major milestone in its goal to make tyre production more sustainable.
The announcement was made at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover (25 September to 2 October), where Continental also launched its air spring levelling system, which regulates vehicle levels with an ultrasound sensor, as well as integrating the valve function for filling and bleeding at the air spring plate.
