Eyebrow raising green / renewables news. Bridgestone trading tire manufacturer is testing the production of tires using the rubber from the dandelion plant instead of rubber trees. There is a shortage of rubber supplies from current sources and exploring dandelion and other renewable sources are being tested. There is also the testing of the production of “polyisoprene synthetic rubber from isoprene derived from biomass” whatever that biomass is, it is still undisclosed.
The danger alert I see here is what kind of genetic manipulation will they be doing to the dandelion plant? Will there be GMO involved? Let’s explore how the money system works and who will be investing in the research then… it would be the GMO companies. As health advocates and greenies know, GMOs tend to get set loose in the wild, contaminating the current biodiversity. I’m pessimistic or I am just looking for a win win situation all the time.
Rubber trees are currently sourced mainly from Southeast Asia… a lot of it in Malaysia? and Indonesia?
In the 21st centure natural rubber still rocks. Tires mostly use natural rubber. From the smallest car to the biggest airplanes.
Bridgestone trading corp stocks are lately $ 52.76