Pirelli has launched the first standard production tire for the global market that is made with over 70% bio-based and recycled materials, including Forest Stewardship Council-certified (FSC) natural rubber. Developed for JLR, the latest P Zero tire will debut on select 22-inch Range Rover wheels.
Materials
The development of the P Zero posed a significant challenge for Pirelli’s research and development department, the tire maker says, as it required combining ultra-high performance (UHP) capabilities with a high content of bio-based and recycled materials. This included recycled steel, partially sourced from the melting of scrap metal instead of virgin raw materials, while maintaining the mechanical properties of virgin steel; and rice husk-derived silica, obtained from rice processing waste and used in tread compounds to ensure top performance in the wet.
