So, we are going to go from needs of less petroleum, back to the needs for more real rubber....
Didn't we invent artificial rubber strictly to get away from the strategic need for it?
Can replace oil in a tire tommorrow with real rubber, hell, that's what all tires were made from prior to WWII if memory serves.
Not discounting the technology, just more curious about it than this little excerpt portrays.
If all they are doing is moving from the artificial rubber from petroleum based products, back to natural rubber as primary ingredient, really haven't accomplished much of anything....
Yep, Buna was invented for that exact reason.
The problem pre-WWII was that most natural rubber came from Asia, which with the Japanese running around invading most it, put supplies under threat. Since the Japanese are less able (and inclined) plus the US Navy is more than capable of sinking anything threatening shipping on the Pacific, supplies should be more stable.
The other good news on natural rubber will be that it might (just might) boost GDP in countries like Congo and other West African states (which would come on stream and keep Asian suppliers from gouging everyone!)