Rubber Really Does Grow on Trees, but U.S. Supply Could Still Run Dry
There’s not one sector of our economy that isn’t completely dependent upon a secure, natural rubber supply. But 100% of natural rubber is produced outside of the U.S., putting us at risk of running out due to supply chain disruptions.
Over 40 million metric tons of natural rubber are made annually – almost 50% of all the rubber used globally, synthetic included.
What would things look like without the 50,000+ items that require natural rubber?
Tune in to learn:
1) Where most rubber tree plantations exist today
2) Why natural rubber isn’t produced in the U.S. (and who controls 80% of it)
3) What would happen if natural rubber supplies ran out
4) How latex is collected from trees and turned into rubber
5) Why surgeons don’t like to use synthetic latex gloves
6) South American leaf blight (SALB) – what it is and how quickly it can devastate rubber tree plantations
Katrina Cornish is focused on developing domestic rubber-producing crops that can provide the rubber and latex we need for critical applications in every industry. She explains what this entails, the ins and outs of the natural rubber production process, what natural rubber offers that synthetic rubber cannot, different types of natural rubber, and so much more.
Tune in for the full conversation.
-
40:41
Surviving Hard Times
1 year agoSitting Down With An Expert In Tree Fruit Horticulture To Discuss Sustainable Orchard Management
8 -
44:58
FGP
1 year agoDiving Deep Into Horticulture: Optimizing Controlled Agricultural Environments To Improve Plant
15 -
1:50
LurahAlamGhoib
2 years agoRubber tree (Heave brasiliensis)
36 -
14:48
Cultivated Change with Alex Corey
2 years agoMicrogreens - How Much to Water and How Soon Before Harvest to Maintain Freshness
98 -
3:16
itsallaboutthebiology
5 months agoUsing Tree Sap To Feed Your Plants?
8 -
5:45
Earlybird Farm, SC
1 year agoWhen To Spray Dormant Oil on Fruit Trees and Why
61 -
1:16
IFLScience
6 years agoYou Can Grow A Tree From The Ashes Of Your Loved Ones
151 -
0:44
TOGANTA
4 years agoRubber Plant
28 -
19:22
Homestead in the Tropics
2 years agoFertilizer grows on trees! Tropical Nitrogen fixing trees, shrubs and ground covers.
5 -
4:07
Earlybird Farm, SC
1 year ago2nd Try at Bark Grafting a Persimmon Tree
29