Virtually all road vehicles have a set of pneumatic tyres and this sight is so much a part of our every-day lives that we probably give little thought to the impact of tyre manufacture on the environment, or whether the core components of such cheap tyres will continue to be available.

Michelin, however, as one of the world’s leading tyre manufacturers, has given this matter some considerable thought and has invested in a research programme to see if there is a viable, preferably organic, alternative to the oil-based synthetic rubber element of modern tyres.

The reason for this is that there is increasing concern about the continuing availability of butadiene, a key substance in tyre manufacture. The research will look at the possibility of using plant waste such as sugar beet or straw, or even wood, as a feasible alternative. The research will focus on organic matter being fermented, producing alcohol, as a replacement for oil-based butadiene. The increasing emphasis on shale gas in recent years has also led to something of a move away from oil, further exacerbating the potential shortfall.

Obviously it is likely to be some time before this organic option becomes a commercial alternative – if indeed it ever does - and it is comforting to know that it will always be possible to buy replacement tyres online, (whatever their constitution), from companies like www.avatyre.co.uk, which always tries to give best price tyre deals to its customers.

It is clear, from the fact that some of Michelin’s main competitors, as well as other petro-chemical companies, are also looking into an alternative to butadiene in the manufacture of car tyres, that there is a real risk of this key substance becoming scarce.

It may seem difficult to grasp that even future Formula 1 tyres may be made partially from waste plant material, but necessity has always been the mother of invention and the old adage is just as true in this context as any other. Perhaps even the modern, best price pneumatic tyre will eventually become just as much of a museum piece as the penny farthing wheels of yesteryear. Who can ever tell what the future holds!