Jaguar Land Rover will be the first car manufacturer to use Pirelli’s brand-new P Zero tyre using materials such as rice husk-derived silica, recycled steel, and FSC™-certified natural rubber, developed specifically for their vehicles.
The tyre manufacturer’s first standard production tyre for the global market is made with over 70 per cent bio-based and recycled materials, including FSC™ (Forest Stewardship Council™) certified natural rubber.
So, what does this actually mean? Well, the certification affirms the responsible management of the natural rubber supply chain, from plantation to factory, with Pirelli saying that by next year, all natural rubber used in the company’s European factories will be FSC™-certified.
For now, however, Pirelli has developed a specific version of the new tyre for JLR, which will initially be available on selected 22-inch wheel options for the Range Rover, as JLR plans to roll out more sustainable tyres across all its luxury vehicle range.
The FSC™ marking will feature on the tyre along with the distinctive logo that identifies that Pirelli tyres are made with over 50 per cent bio-based and recycled materials, verified by third-party certification body Bureau Veritas.
Pirelli’s Research and Development department developed the new P Zero by combining Ultra-High Performance (UHP) with a high content of bio-based and recycled materials.
What this means is that firstly, the new tyre is made with recycled steel which has been partially sourced from the melting of scrap metal instead of virgin raw materials, while maintaining the mechanical properties of virgin steel.
Secondly, the tread compounds are made with rice husk-derived silica, obtained from rice processing waste to ensure top performance from the tyre in the wet.
Thirdly, the tyre uses circular carbon black, which is produced through pyrolysis oil obtained from end-of-life tyres. In addition, bio-circular polymers are used, manufactured from monomers derived from used cooking oil or pyrolysis oil, which have replaced fossil-based polymers.
And lastly, bio-resins are used in the manufacturing process, which are plant-based plasticisers that help optimise the balance between dry and wet performance.
Pirelli uses their P Zero product line of tyres to debut its latest technologies, which makes Pirelli the preferred choice of premium and prestige car manufacturers around the world.
It was four years ago that Pirelli produced their first tyre made with FSC™-certified natural rubber. However, this latest collaboration with JLR is a new initiative to increase the percentage of recycled and bio-based materials used in tyres as the company moves towards increased sustainability. The partnership with JLR will also act as a materials testing lab for new innovation, as the percentage of components with low environmental impact will no doubt increase over the coming years.
Last year Jaguar Land Rover became the first car manufacturer to equip its vehicles with Pirelli tyres containing 100 per cent FSC™-certified natural rubber.
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is a UK-based motoring and travel journalist and editor, a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers and former saloon car racing driver.
Photographs courtesy of Pirelli
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