Sources of rubber

Three materials on which an industrial society depends

• 1. 

• fossil fuels

• rubber

Natural rubber

Most is obtained from the Pará rubber tree, which is now grown in South-East Asia.

Availability is restricted because:

• the tree’s development is 2. .
• producers cannot respond rapidly to changing 3. .
• plantations are limited to areas close to the 4. .

• collecting latex requires a large workforce.

• used rubber is extremely hard to 5. .

More recent dangers include

• low genetic variation, increasing the risk of disease from a 6. .

• farmers replacing rubber trees with oil palms.

• severe 7.  events.

Synthetic rubber

• can be used in engine components and kitchen products.

• is not as 8.  as the natural material.

• cannot be used for several applications, including aircraft tyres.

Another possible source of natural rubber

• A wild flower related to the dandelion contains rubber in its 9. .
• It grows in numerous regions and can survive without fertile 10. .