PanAridus joins Cooper in guayule consortium

Genetic bioscience firm ParAridus has joined Cooper Tire & Rubber Company in the consortium sharing a US$6.9 million Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI) grant toward development of guayule plant-based polymers for use in tyre manufacturing. According to the companies, he BRDI is a joint effort between the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the US Department of Energy (DOE) to promote development and analysis of feed stocks, biofuels and bio-based products. PanAridus replaces Yulex Corporation on the grant team, assuming Yulex’s responsibilities as the primary manufacturer of the material.

Cooper Tire, PanAridus, and other consortium partners, including Arizona State University (ASU) and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the USDA, are conducting research efforts aimed at developing enhanced manufacturing processes for the production of guayule solid rubber as a biomaterial for tyre applications, as well as evaluating the plant’s residual biomass for biofuel applications.

The consortium members aim to harness biopolymers extracted from guayule as a replacement for petroleum-based synthetics and tropical-based natural rubber currently used in tyre production. Cooper Tire is leading the overall grant program along with developing all related tyre technology. PanAridus will take the lead in developing commercial processes to produce guayule natural rubber for the tyre industry. ARS is leading the genomic and agronomic development of guayule, while ASU is evaluating the sustainability impact these biomaterial and bioenergy industries have on the American Southwest, where guayule is grown.

“We are pleased to have PanAridus join our BRDI grant team,” said Chuck Yurkovich, Cooper’s Vice President of Global Research and Development. “PanAridus brings significant expertise related to guayule seed and agronomic technology that will be extremely beneficial as the consortium continues progress toward our objectives. Their expanding capability to produce guayule based natural rubber will provide a reliable source of materials for our tyre technology related programs. The cooperative spirit and passion for this initiative within PanAridus will be instrumental in development of commercial production processes and continued improvement of tyre grade guayule.”