Press Release
"Natural Rubber from Dandelion" Project: Scientists
Awarded Joseph von Fraunhofer Prize 2015
 Prestigious scientific award goes to two biologists in Münster and tire manufacturer
Continental for joint project
 Natural rubber from dandelion root set to make rubber extraction more sustainable –
first test tires already successful
Hanover, June 10, 2015 The Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology
(IME, Münster branch), the Institute for Plant Biology and Biotechnology of the University of
Münster, and the Tire Division of Continental in Hanover are successfully collaborating on a
project entitled "RUBIN – Industrial Emergence of Natural Rubber from Dandelion". The leading
scientists in the project have now been awarded the prestigious Joseph von Fraunhofer Prize
for their research on the Russian dandelion and the development of car tire prototypes based on
dandelion rubber. The award was presented yesterday in Wiesbaden, Germany, to Prof. Dirk
Prüfer and Dr. Christian Schulze Gronover (IME and Institute of Plant Biology and
Biotechnology), and Dr. Carla Recker (Continental). "The objective of this joint project is to
develop a procedure for the industrial use of dandelion as a source of rubber. In agricultural
terms, it is an undemanding plant, even in the northern hemisphere, and can be cultivated on
land not suitable for food production. This means that rubber production is conceivable near our
tire factories, for instance, and the significantly shorter transport routes would also reduce CO2
emissions," comments Dr. Carla Recker, who heads the Continental team involved in the
development of this promising material.
"During our research, we have discovered which genes promote rubber production and which
ones hinder it. We were able to use this knowledge to develop plants that produce twice as
much natural rubber. We also managed to extract several kilos of dandelion rubber with a small
pilot system. This opened up prospects in terms of scaling up industrial production to the level of
tons," said Prüfer and Schulze Gronover at the award ceremony. "We are honored to receive
this prestigious award for our joint project," added Dr. Carla Recker. "It will make tire production
even more environmentally friendly, without compromising our high quality standards or losing
out on performance."
1/3
With the first test tires having already been tested under both summer and winter conditions,
the project is running very successfully so far. Tires made from dandelion rubber show an
equivalent property profile when compared with tires made from conventional natural rubber
from the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). Continental intends to launch series production of
tires made from dandelion rubber in five to ten years. Further information about the project is
available at www.taraxagum.de.
Fraunhofer has been presenting annual awards for outstanding scientific achievements since
1978. The Joseph von Fraunhofer Prizes go to researchers who solve application related
problems. In 2015 three Joseph von Fraunhofer Prizes were awarded. The two other awards
went to the Fraunhofer IWS in Dresden and the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits
IIS in Erlangen. The scientific prize has been awarded since 1978 and commemorates
Joseph von Fraunhofer (1787 – 1824), an optician and physicist, who used the results of
precise scientific work to develop innovative products.
Continental AG
Continental develops intelligent technologies for transporting people and their goods. As a reliable
partner, the international automotive supplier, tire manufacturer, and industrial partner provides
sustainable, safe, comfortable, individual, and affordable solutions. In 2014, the corporation generated
preliminary sales of approximately €34.5 billion with its five divisions, Chassis & Safety, Interior,
Powertrain, Tire, and ContiTech. Continental currently employs approximately 200,000 people in 53
countries.
www.continental-corporation.de
Tire Division
The Tire Division currently has 24 production and development locations worldwide. The broad product
range and continuous investments in R&D make a major contribution to cost-effective and ecologically
efficient mobility. As one of the world's leading tire manufacturers with more than 47,000 employees, the
Tire Division achieved sales of €9.8 billion in 2014.
Passenger and Light Truck Tires
Continental is one of the leading manufacturers of passenger and light truck tires in Europe and the
world's fourth largest passenger tire manufacturer in the original equipment and replacement market.
The product development focus of the Continental premium brand is to optimize all safety-relevant
characteristics, while simultaneously minimizing rolling resistance.
www.continental-reifen.de
Media Database
www.mediacenter.continental-corporation.com
2/3
Contact:
Alexander Bahlmann
Head of PR, Passenger and Light Truck Tires
Continental AG
Tire division
Büttnerstrasse 25, 30165 Hanover, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 511 938 2615
Fax:
+49 (0) 511 938 2455
alexander.bahlmann@conti.de
www.continental-reifen.de
Klaus Engelhart
Press Spokesman, Passenger and Light Truck/TwoWheel Tires
Continental AG
Tire division
Büttnerstrasse 25, 30165 Hanover, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 511 938 2285
Fax:
+49 (0) 511 938 2455
klaus.engelhart@conti.de
www.getyourgrip.de
3/3