North Columbus News

The Ohio State University has been awarded $26 million in federal funding to initiate natural rubber production in the United States and enhance workforce development for this emerging domestic industry.

The U.S. National Science Foundation announced the funding on Aug. 21 for the creation of the "Transformation of American Rubber through Domestic Innovation for Supply Security" (TARDISS) Engineering Research Center (ERC). The initial round of funding will last for five years, with the possibility of renewal for another $26 million over an additional five years.

Federal, state, and university leaders have expressed strong support for this investment and the potential impact of the new research center.

"Ohio has a long history of innovation in the rubber industry, and this new research center will lead rubber production into the future. An adequate rubber supply is essential, and we cannot depend on a supply chain that starts overseas. The research and collaboration that will happen under the leadership of The Ohio State University will revolutionize domestic rubber production," said Mike DeWine, governor of Ohio.

Sherrod Brown, U.S. senator, remarked, "Ohio has a proud history of leading the country in manufacturing innovation, and we’re building on that legacy by making new investments in agriculture and manufacturing research. Ohio State’s leadership will help Ohio continue leading in producing the next generation of rubber, creating local jobs, growing local businesses and expanding opportunities across the state for decades to come."

Max Miller, U.S. representative from Ohio’s 7th District, added, "I’m excited to watch The Ohio State University lead the way in catalyzing the development of domestic natural rubber production. Rubber is critical to America’s national security, and northeast Ohio has long been a leader in the rubber industry. OSU’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Wooster Campus is a natural home for this program, partnering with others nationwide to bring together the best in engineering, biology and agriculture while spurring workforce development in our region."

Sethuraman Panchanathan, National Science Foundation director stated, "NSF’s Engineering Research Centers ask big questions in order to catalyze solutions with far-reaching impacts. NSF Engineering Research Centers are powerhouses of discovery and innovation, bringing America’s great engineering minds to bear on our toughest challenges. By collaborating with industry and training the workforce of the future, ERCs create an innovation ecosystem that can accelerate engineering innovations, producing tremendous economic and societal benefits for the nation."

Peter Mohler, executive vice president for research at Ohio State commented: "This transformative award brings together researchers from across Ohio State, our partner universities and industry to address the critical need to develop alternative natural rubber production from domestic crops. Through the TARDISS ERC we will be able to provide new avenues of research as well as opportunities to commercialize those discoveries for the industry and communities we serve."