Continental Tyres is among the nominees at the prestigious GreenTec Awards 2014. The tyre major’s joint endeavour, “Rubin”, with Fraunhofer Institute has enabled this nomination. The project focuses on industrialising rubber derived from dandelions.
Continental Aims to Achieve the ‘Seemingly’ Impossible
Continental, in association with the reputed Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), has undertaken an innovative rubber development project – “Rubin”. Under this joint developmental endeavour, Conti and IME are aiming at industrialising rubber obtained from dandelion plants for tyre production. The initiative has gained nomination as one of the three contenders in the ‘Automobility’ category at this year’s GreenTec.
The jury will soon finalise on three l podium positions in each of the 14 awards categories. The award function, at the beginning of IFAT, on May 4 will witness awards being doled out. IFAT is a popular global trade fair focusing on management of sewage, water, raw materials and waste.
Conti’s Green Vision
Nikolai Setzer, Continental’s Tyre Division chief, stated that Conti is pleased at the outstanding response to its dandelion rubber project. He expressed delight at the nomination of this project for the GreenTec Awards. He clarified that they are investing in this (dandelion derived rubber) material development and manufacturing project due to its potential to enhance Conti’s tyre production abilities in the long run.
He further explained that rubber production from dandelion plant roots is considerably less dependent on weather as compared to that from rubber trees. Besides, he added, the new technique is easy and straightforward when it comes to its agricultural requirements. Hence, it has the potential to open up wide avenues, especially for uncultivated lands in Europe.
Conti Identifies the Potential for Cost Reduction
Moreover, Conti envisions a significant reduction in logistics expenditure and environmental burden by cultivating these crops closer to its production sites. Setzer also said that dandelions can be cultivated in several European nations, including the ones where Conti factories are located.
Dr. Andreas Topp, Conti’s spokesperson for “Rubin” shared that, with this project, they have taken a giant step forward towards their goal of manufacturing more sustainable truck, bicycle car, and even specialist tyres. He added that Conti expects producing sufficient quantity of rubber from dandelion, with performance properties at least comparable to conventional rubber. That achieved, Conti will, to a great extent, be able to reduce dependence on the annual rubber produce from subtropical regions.
Dr. Topp also leads Conti’s Material and Process Development and Industrialisation for Tyres division.
Moreover, in addition to reducing logistics outlay and dependence on rubber plantations, dandelions can be harvested a number of times in a year. On the other hand, rubber trees necessitate waiting for about seven years before first chunks of rubber can be obtained.
Conti, and Fraunhofer Institute in Münster, first demonstrated the possibility of producing high-grade rubber naturally from the roots of a dandelion plant in a laboratory. After that, pertinent work commenced in a pilot factory, which is still under construction and has started producing this rubber in massive quantities.
Conti plans to test the first set of tyres constructed from dandelion-sourced rubber compound on public roads in the year 2015.
Source: Tyre Blog
Published: 03 Mar 2014