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:

• Where the most rubber tree plantations exist today
• Why natural rubber isn’t produced in the U.S. (and who controls 80% of it)
• What would happen if natural rubber supplies ran out
• How latex is collected from trees and turned into rubber
• Why surgeons don’t like to use synthetic latex gloves
• 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.

Episode also available on Apple Podcast: http://apple.co/30PvU9C

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