As cute and sunshiny as they are, dandelions have earned themselves quite a bad reputation over the years - especially among homeowners who pride themselves on maintaining the perfect lush, green lawn. To American automaker, Ford, however, the common weed is recognized as an increasingly valuable resource.

Apparently, the milky-white substance contained within the dandelion root can be used to make a plant-based rubber, which could eventually take the form of cup holders, door mats, and interior trim. The variety of dandelion Ford is particularly interested in, and which the Ohio State University agriculture research center (OSU) is using is the Russian dandelion (taraxacum kok-saghyz or TKS).

"We're always looking for new sustainable materials to use in our vehicles that have a smaller carbon footprint to produce and can be grown locally. Synthetic rubber is not a sustainable resource, so we want to minimize its use in our vehicles when possible," says Angela Harris, Research Engineer, Ford. "Dandelions have the potential to serve as a great natural alternative to synthetic rubber in our products."¹

We admit. It's pretty weird to see the pictures of perfectly manicured rows of dandelions growing in green houses. And, people living close to the OSU green houses are likely suspect, wondering when the dandelions will take over their lawns. However, according to Associate Director, Bill Ravlin, "Managing weed problems is essential to developing TKS as a commercially viable domestic source of natural rubber in the U.S."²

Ford reveals the dandelion rubber may be used as an additive to improve the strength of automotive plastics, but that they're also investigating the guayule shrub (indigenous to the southern U.S.) as another viable source of natural rubber. And, truth be told, plant-based rubber is just part of the American automaker's investment into sustainable materials. Other initiatives include soy foam seat cushions and wheat-straw-filled plastic interior trim. The advantages specific to the dandelion, though are that it's not a food crop and it grows... well... like a weed.

Be sure to stay tuned for more Ford news coming soon. Spradley Barr of Greeley, located at 4901 29th St Greeley, CO 80634 is dedicated to keeping you informed.

Source: ^1.2 http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/05/eco-weeds-ford-ohio-st-try-dandelions-as-rubber-source/1