Dandelion tyre production ‘far from ready’

The automotive industry is in the middle of a period of unprecedented and rapid change. Many experts believe that investment in megatrends like the connected car and autonomous driving is at an all time high, while the powertrain is becoming increasingly efficient, clean and sophisticated. Change has even touched the way in which vehicles are produced, as robotics and automation grow in popularity across manufacturing lines.

Tyres have also been subject to many recent changes, and numerous suppliers have already voiced plans for future development. Continental, for example, is aiming to industrialise the production of tyres using natural rubber sourced from dandelions. The supplier has been testing these since 2014, but has recently stated that it needs more time before it is able to mass-produce the tyres.