Vredestein makes tyre prototypes with non-hevea rubber
ERJ staff report (DS)
Enschede, Netherlands -- As part of its involvement in the EU-Pearls project, Vredestein has made prototype tyres using natural rubber sourced from Russian dandelions and guayule.
The EU-Pearls project is developing two alternatives for natural rubber from the rubber tree (hevea brasiliensis). This week, Apollo Vredestein produced tyres made using natural rubber from both the Russian dandelion and from guayule. The natural rubber from these alternatives is being processed to contribute to the production of various types of the Quatrac Lite, size 155/65 R14.
Although first impressions look promising, the tyres with the alternative natural rubbers will first undergo extensive testing over the coming months before being taken into production.
The EU-PEARLS project (212827) is financed by the European Commission FP7 KBBE Program. The research results will be presented on September 24th and 25th 2012 during the closing conference in Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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Press release from Vredestein
Home page of EU-Pearls
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