Linglong progresses dandelion rubber project

Yantai, China – Linglong Tire has progressed its industrialisation of dandelion rubber with the completion of a "world first" 100-tonne dandelion rubber extraction line.

In a statement, the Chinese tire maker said it, and other partners, had launched five scientific research projects under the 'dandelion rubber industry technology innovation strategic alliance'.

The projects included the introduction of 'rubber grass germplasm' and creation of new strains and the evaluation of these resources, according to the 1 Dec 2022 update.

Also encompassed was the breeding of improved varieties along with the “development and construction” of the industrial-scale rubber extraction line.

At a meeting late last year, the research groups reported on the overall progress, research results of the five projects.

Among other achievements, the alliance reported “preliminary breakthroughs” in rubber-content and industrialised planting.

Furthermore, the project achieved “phased results in the exploration and summary of planting rules and the mechanised planting technology,” Linglong added.

The alliance, it continued, has now “completed and connected” the industrial-scale 100-tonne rubber extraction line and registered a total of 24 patents.

The Chinese tire maker expects to introduce a ‘commercially viable’ dandelion technology before 2030.

Linglong's previously stated targets included improvement of planting resources and integrated harvesting and extraction technology towards achieving "breakthroughs in key indicators by 2025.”

“The cultivation characteristics will also improve tens of millions of acres of desertified saline-alkali land in the three northern [regions] of the country,” it added.

Under its broader sustainability strategy, Linglong aims to increase the proportion of sustainable materials in its tires to 35% by 2025 and 40% by 2030.