H. Colvin
Colvin Consultants,
United States
Keywords: rubber, bio-based materials
Summary:
Alternatives for Hevea natural rubber have been researched, and to some extent implemented at various times over the past 100 years. In the early days of the 20th century, a major source of natural rubber used in the United States was guayule which was grown in Mexico and the southwest portion of the US. This presentation will give a brief history of the use of alternative natural rubbers followed by a discussion of issues to be considered in determining the need for a domestic natural rubber industry.