Consortium partners Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., Yulex Corp., Arizona State University, and the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture met recently to review initial progress on their $6.9 million Biomass Research and Development Initiative grant from the USDA and the U.S. Department of Energy.

The BRDI is a joint effort between the USDA and the DOE to promote the development and analysis of feedstocks, biofuels and biobased products.

The consortium partner meeting highlighted significant progress being made in several areas, including guayule plant genome sequencing needed for future breeding tools, irrigation studies to maximize rubber content in the plant, and completing laboratory testing to develop a guayule tire-grade polymer specification for future commercialization.

The consortium partners received the four-year BRDI grant in June 2012. The grant focuses on research efforts aimed at developing enhanced manufacturing processes for the production of guayule solid rubber as a biomaterial for tire 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 used in the manufacture of tires. If successful, new jobs in the growing and processing of guayule would be created for American workers.

Cooper Tire is leading the overall grant program along with developing all related tire technology. Yulex is taking the lead on developing commercial processes to produce guayule natural rubber for the tire 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.

Guayule is an industrial crop and a natural source of rubber that can replace petroleum-based synthetics and does not compete against food or fiber crops. Through agronomic development, materials science, and sustainable biorefinery extraction processes, 100% of the guayule plant can be used to produce consumer, industrial, medical and energy products, including tires and advanced biofuels.