Alternatives to Natural Rubber

摘要

There is all likelihood that the much talked about but yet to be commercially exploited NR alternatives like guayule, the Russian dandelion etc. are likely to get added attention in view of the impending NR crunch. It is a fact that NR, which is a unique biopolymer of strategic importance, cannot be replaced by synthetic alternatives in most of its significant applications. But alternatives are being scouted not just because NR from Hevea is likely to become dearer and scarce, but because of a host of other reasons as well. One is the incidence of protein allergy caused by natural rubber latex from Hevea brasiliensis.