Apollo Vredestein, manufacturer of tyres for cars, motorcycles, bicycles and agricultural applications, is involved in research into sources of natural rubber as a partner in the EU-PEARLS project. EU-PEARLS is a joint project between several European research organisations and industrial partners which focuses on research into two plants, the Russian dandelion and the desert plant guayule.
Initial studies show that both the Russian dandelion and guayule are a good alternative to the rubber tree in terms of their properties.The goal is to make it possible to produce natural rubber in Europe. The research results will be presented in September 2012 during the closing conference of the EU-PEARLS project in Wageningen.