Dandelions may serve as a potential source for rubber production in the future.

Dutch scientists from biotech firm KeyGene have made a groundbreaking discovery - a natural rubber alternative using a common garden weed: the dandelion. This innovative solution, which involves using a rubber "brick" for water conservation, could potentially meet the global demand for rubber by 2020, when it is expected to see a shortage.

KeyGene is putting dandelion roots through a process of 'plant phenotyping' to grow a breed with a fatter root, better suited to the quantities of latex required. The company's focus is on "genetic improvement", speeding up the evolution process to develop crops with a higher yield and resistance to pests.

Tire company Apollo Vredestein is collaborating with KeyGene on the project, and production for prototype tires has begun. The company leading dandelion-based rubber production in collaboration with KeyGene is Bridgestone.

The global demand for rubber is estimated to fall short by 20 percent by 2020, leading to higher prices. This shortage, coupled with the massive drought in California that has raised awareness about the importance of water conservation, has made the dandelion-sourced rubber a promising solution.

KeyGene's techniques could also result in improvements in crop yields. This could have significant implications, especially in the context of flushing toilets, where entrepreneurs are discussing ways to conserve water in California.

Meanwhile, other companies are also focusing on reducing their carbon footprint and producing eco-friendly products in response to growing concerns about global warming and greenhouse gas emissions. Goodyear, the largest North American tire maker, is developing soybean tires as part of their eco-friendly initiatives. Hertz Corporation, a rental car giant, has partnered with Liberty Tire Recycling to sustainably recycle approximately 160,000 rubber tires from their fleet.

The dandelion-sourced rubber, with its potential to meet the global demand for rubber and its implications for water conservation, could be a significant step towards a more sustainable future.