China Cultivates Military-Grade Rubber in Gobi Desert
In a strategic move to bolster its supply chains and reduce reliance on imports, China is cultivating high-value rubber-producing trees in the Gobi Desert. This initiative, which began in 2016 with a small 14-hectare plot, is now poised for significant expansion, with plans to reach 3.3 million hectares by 2030.
The effort centers around Duzhong (Eucommia ulmoides), a Chinese medicinal plant that is also a unique source of natural rubber. While historically, nearly all natural rubber has come from the Hevea brasiliensis rubber tree grown in Southeast Asia, China’s push reflects growing concerns over supply chain vulnerabilities highlighted by events like the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing geopolitical tensions.
China is the world’s largest consumer and importer of natural rubber, with demand estimated to have exceeded 7 million tonnes last year, over 85 percent of which was imported. This dependence, largely driven by the country’s vast automotive and industrial sectors, has prompted Beijing to seek alternative domestic sources, particularly for military applications.
Rubber derived from Duzhong offers significant advantages for defense systems. Adding just 3 to 5 percent of Duzhong rubber to a compound substantially boosts durability and wear resistance, making it ideal for high-performance, puncture-resistant tires. This proves also used in advanced electromagnetic shielding composites.
The Gobi Desert project, led by a team from Northwest A&F University, overcame initial hurdles in breeding and rubber extraction. Scientists selected over 50 high-quality genetic plant materials from Duzhong trees across the country, developing varieties suited for desert cultivation.
Historically, Duzhong was primarily grown in central and southern China, particularly across the Yangtze Plain. However, yields were limited and the extraction process was challenging. The success in the Gobi Desert represents a significant breakthrough in desert agriculture and a potential solution to China’s rubber dependency.
The expansion of the Gobi Desert plantation is a substantial undertaking, driven by the need for a secure domestic source of military-grade rubber. The project is not only focused on increasing production but also on protecting the fragile desert ecosystem, as evidenced by environmental projects launched in August 2023 to evaluate and restore the Gobi Desert in Hami, which covers 94,600 square km, accounting for about 66 percent of the city’s total area.
As of January 30, 2026, the experimental cultivation of Duzhong is reportedly flourishing, boosting the national rubber supply and offering a promising path towards greater self-sufficiency.
