Company type | Private Corporation |
---|---|
Industry | Rubber |
Founded | 2000 |
Founder | Daniel R. Swiger, Jeffery A. Martin |
Headquarters | , U.S. |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people |
Jeffrey A. Martin (Director, President and CEO) (Chief Technology & Operations Officer) |
Products | Biorubber Emulsions, Biorubber Solids, Biomass |
Website | www.yulex.com |
Yulex Corporation makes products from Guayule ( Parthenium argentatum) a residual agricultural material. [1]
In 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Yulex biorubber gloves for medical uses. Yulex is the first company to produce biobased, medical-grade latex that is safe for people with latex allergy. [2]
In 2012, Yulex received a $6.9 million USDA-DoE grant as part of a research consortium. Partnering with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Cooper Tire, Yulex will research enhanced manufacturing processes, testing and utilization of guayule natural rubber as a strategic source of raw material in tires, and evaluate the remaining biomass of the guayule plant as a source of bio-fuel for the transportation industry, as well work on improving agronomic practices, developing genetic information and undertaking a lifecycle analysis. [3]
Also in 2012, Yulex released the first alternative to the traditional neoprene wetsuit in partnership with Patagonia, [4] the first guayule-based mattresses and pillows in partnership with Pure LatexBliss, [5] and the first plant-based, latex allergy-friendly dental dam in partnership with 4D Rubber. [6]
In 2013, Yulex formed a partnership with ENI's Versalis to expand the reach of guayule into European markets. [7]
Media related to Parthenium argentatum at Wikimedia Commons Data related to Yulex at Wikispecies