Bicycle tyres made of rubber from dandelions

Vredestein is always looking for innovation and sustainable solutions, to provide new impulses to their products.

The Fortezza Flower Power is a good example:  the result of a joint venture with Wageningen University and Research (WUR) called Drive4EU, co-financed by the European Union. Together we developed a tyre that is made of rubber extracted from the roots of dandelions. Vredestein’s involvement illustrates the importance that the company attaches to sustainability and innovation.

Vredestein Fortezza Flower Power

This unique product is the first bicycle tyre in the world produced with natural rubber extracted from the roots of the Russian dandelion (Taraxacum kok-saghyz or TKS). Therefore it was named Flower Power (Fortezza is the successful line of Vredestein road bicycle tyres). This limited edition batch of tyres are made with rubber extracted from flowers grown and harvested in the Netherlands.

The special compound on the Fortezza Flower Power prototype provides better grip than traditional compounds and enhances the performance. This is directly related to the higher concentration of natural resin in this particular variant of natural rubber. The procedure to retrieve the natural rubber is a cost- and time consuming process and studies are currently exploring whether this tyre can be mass produced in the future.

During last Eurobike, world's biggest and most prestigious international Bicycle Exhibition, the Vredestein Flower Power was granted a Eurobike innovation Award.  We are proud to get such recognition for this project.