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We are working to develop a domestic natural rubber crop in Ohio and for the U.S.

Natural rubber security is becoming a major problem for the United States.  In 2019, a tsumani of events converged to disrupt supplies of the critical imported agricultural material.  Leaf blights infected over 1 million acres of rubber trees in seven countries,  extreme weather events and labor shortages impeded production, leading to a 10% drop in production (1.4 million tons).   At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic doubled demand for protective gloves to 600 billion/year.  Although nitrile manufactures can make up about 100 billion of this increase that still leaves an increased demand of one million tons of natural rubber in latex form.  Imports are even more challenged because rubber and latex shipments have more than doubled in price as shipping container costs have increased 12 fold by October 2021.

Natural rubber is a vital resource for any developed country and is used in over 40,000 commercial products. While the use of synthetic rubber has surpassed natural rubber in quantity, there are particular properties and high-performance applications that make natural rubber irreplaceable by synthetic rubber.


OSU's Rubber Pilot Plant produces high quality rubber for the tire industry and medical quality latex hypoallergenic gloves.

Cornish Lab Group hand-planted approximately 61 miles of Buckeye Gold in 2013. That's a lot of dandelions!

Cornish Lab Group is a joint program comprised of both Horticulture and Crop Sciences and Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering PI's and Graduate Students.


News

  1. Katrina Cornish Receives 2021 CFAES Distinguished Senior Faculty Research Award

    Apr 12, 2021

    Congratulations to Dr. Katrina Cornish for winning this prestigious award!  The CFAES Distinguished Senior Faculty Research Award honors academic, disciplinary, and professional excellence in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.  Click here to watch the 2021 CFAES Celebration of Research video featuring Katrina.

  2. Katrina Cornish to be named 2021 Senior Faculty Researcher of the Year Award Winner

    Feb 5, 2021

    Congratulations to Dr. Katrina Cornish who was awarded the 2021 Senior Faculty Researcher of the Year Award! The award will be formally presented at the CFAES Annual Research Conference, which will be held virtually on Thursday, April 8th!

  3. Researchers exploring potential of the dandelion

    May 28, 2020

    Most people view dandelions either as golden symbols of springtime or as tenacious invaders to a pristine lawn. But could they also save us from a potential national crisis? The answer is Yes!, and you can find out how by clicking here.