Researchers at The Ohio State University have developed a novel processing technology to enable efficient, cost-effective extraction of natural rubber from non-Hevea plant sources, including guayule and rubber-producing dandelions. Unlike conventional solvent-based approaches, this method leverages mechanically induced separation to recover rubber with reduced reliance on hazardous chemicals, lowering environmental impact and simplifying downstream processing.

The innovation directly addresses a critical industry need to diversify natural rubber supply beyond geographically concentrated Hevea plantations, which are vulnerable to disease, climate risk, and geopolitical disruption. By enabling economically viable processing of alternative crops, the technology supports development of domestic and regionally distributed rubber supply chains—an increasing priority for tire manufacturers and government-backed initiatives.

This scalable platform aligns with significant industry investment in sustainable materials, including ongoing efforts by leading tire companies to commercialize guayule- and dandelion-derived rubber. The process offers a pathway to reduce production costs, improve extraction efficiency, and accelerate commercialization of renewable rubber materials for applications spanning tires, transportation, and advanced elastomer products.

The Ohio State University is seeking industry partners interested in optioning or licensing this technology for evaluation and integration into existing natural rubber processing workflows. Ideal partners are those looking to enhance process efficiency, reduce reliance on solvent-based extraction methods, and incorporate alternative rubber feedstocks into manufacturing operations. Opportunities include collaborative scale-up, pilot validation, and deployment within commercial production environments.

• Intellectual Property: PCT application filed
• Inventors: Judit Puskas, Peter Polyak

To discuss this opportunity or request additional information, please contact Ana Panic, Licensing Officer at Innovation and Commercialization (panic.2@osu.edu).