[Abathar]

I am involved in the rubber industry, reducing the amount of petroleum in rubber has seen an industry push for several years now.

Molding the stuff is another story though, most of the stuff I have seen tears way too easily when hot, de-molding it can be a real problem, I wonder how they overcame that, will have to check that out.

[isthisnickcool]

have you seen Michelins "tweel"?

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Not only that, how will the tires hold up after several thousand miles in different conditions? Hope we're not looking at another batch of Firestones.

[Comstock1]

Just a couple thoughts:

1) Does "reduced rolling resistance" equate to lowered braking ability?
2) Citrus Oil? Is my morning OJ now gonna cost more so someone feels better about the fact they aren't using as much petroleum in their tires?

[Red Badger]

I wonder how they overcame that, will have to check that out.

You put the lime in the coconut, and shake 'em both up........

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

D-Limonene C10 H16

This is something extracted from citrus fruit. Lock in your citrus futures now.

Right now its used primarily in cleaners and health food products. (Weight loss! Works on cars and people!)

[MikeD]

I am involved in the rubber industry, reducing the amount of petroleum in rubber has seen an industry push for several years now.

My Dad has been either the buyer or the receiving clerk at a Goodyear plant for the last 30 years or so. He tells me that a typical tire is 65-70% petroleum products. I know he was working 14-hour days every day for weeks after Katrina, between the petroleum plants going down, and various other suppliers out of business. If we ever have a serious petroleum shortage, the price of tires will skyrocket.

Hopefully these new tires will actually amount to something and be useful. Too many times you read blurbs like this and nothing ever comes of the technology.