In a sense, natural rubber is stored solar energy which may be recovered by burning the old tire. Natural rubber is a good example of biomaterials that can compete directly with petrochemicals. I do not have data on energy required to actually fabricate the tire from bulk rubber, but the number is probably considerable less. A natural rubber tire is a different thing. In a sense, natural rubber is stored solar energy which may be recovered by burning the old tire.
Natural rubber is a good example of biomaterials that can compete directly with petrochemicals.