Sustainable rubber project: the guayule revolution in Europe

Rubber, omnipresent and indispensable, is also an environmental headache. But what if we could produce it here, with plants that neither destroy forests nor depend on petroleum? URV is pursuing exactly this with a project that smells of the future: guayule, a Mediterranean shrub that could change the game.

The CHIHIRO project brings together European experts in chemistry and biotechnology to create recyclable elastic plastics from guayule, thus promoting a more self-sufficient and sustainable local industry.

The challenge of rubber and European dependence

Why is natural rubber a problem?

Rubber stands out for its flexibility and strength, found in tires, gloves, or electronic components. But Europe does not produce the only natural source, Hevea, and depends on imports, almost all coming from tropical areas.

This dependence causes two major problems: massive deforestation in tropical countries and a supply chain vulnerable to political and economic changes. Moreover, synthetic rubber is still mainly produced from petroleum, a finite and polluting resource.

Sustainability, a pending issue

The European Union considers natural rubber a critical raw material. This means its availability is strategic. But what is produced is far from sustainable. Hevea production pressures fragile ecosystems and, in addition, geographic concentration limits alternatives.

For this reason, Europe is looking for alternative sources that allow local rubber production and reduce environmental impact.

Guayule: the new Mediterranean tree for sustainable rubber

A shrub that grows without harming the planet’s health

Guayule is a shrub that perfectly adapts to semi-arid areas of southern Europe, growing on marginal lands that do not compete with food agriculture. This makes it an ideal candidate to produce rubber without destroying forests or affecting food crops.

Furthermore, it does not contribute to deforestation, a detail that is far from minor if we want to avoid repeating the mistakes of tropical countries.

Everything utilized: more than just latex

So far, industrial interest in guayule has focused on extracting latex. But the CHIHIRO project wants to go further and convert all its parts into high-value products: resin, bagasse (fibers), lignin, and sugars.

This comprehensive approach with sustainable processes based on water or green solvents minimizes waste and makes the plant much more profitable and sustainable.

Chemical innovation for recyclable rubber

Inverse vulcanization: the secret for a material that can be recycled

URV researchers Gerard Lligadas and Adrian Moreno are developing three chemical routes to transform guayule through inverse vulcanization. This technique uses sulfur to create reversible chemical bonds, which can be opened and closed with heat or light.

This allows the material to maintain its elastic properties but be recyclable and reprocessable, solving one of the main problems of traditional rubber: the inability to reuse it easily.

An ambitious and collaborative European project

CHIHIRO has a budget of 3.48 million euros and will bring together partners from France, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, and Spain. It is coordinated by MOSES PRODUCTOS SL and is part of the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) program, which aims to promote the circular bioeconomy in Europe.

This 45-month project aims to place Europe at the forefront of sustainable and self-sufficient rubber production, reducing fossil resource dependence and minimizing environmental impact.

The reality is that this project puts on the table a real and tangible alternative for the rubber industry, with an approach that is not only sustainable but also highly innovative.

Source of the article: Rovira i Virgili University