Milan, Italy - Pirelli has launched the first standard production tire for the global market made with over 70% bio-based and recycled materials, including FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)1-certified natural rubber.
By 2026, all natural rubber used in Pirelli's European factories will be FSC-certified. Developed in a specific version for JLR, the new tire is a Pirelli P Zero and will initially be available on selected 22-inch wheel options for Range Rover, as part of JLR's goal to roll out more sustainable tires across its luxury vehicles.
The tire will feature the FSC marking along with the distinctive logo identifying Pirelli tires made with more than 50% bio-based and recycled materials, as verified by the third-party certification body Bureau Veritas.
Pirelli's P Zero tire.Pirelli
The development of the new P Zero was a significant task for Pirelli's Research & Development department: combining Ultra-High Performance (UHP) with a high content of bio-based and recycled materials, which include:
- Recycled steel, partially sourced from the melting of scrap metal instead of virgin raw materials, while maintaining the mechanical properties of virgin steel.
- Rice husk-derived silica, obtained from rice processing waste, used in tread compounds to ensure high performance in wet conditions.
- Circular carbon black, produced through pyrolysis oil obtained from end-of-life tires.
- Bio-circular polymers, manufactured from monomers derived from used cooking oil or pyrolysis oil, replacing fossil-based polymers.
- Bio-resins, plant-based plasticizers that help optimize the balance between dry and wet performance.
In 2021, Pirelli produced the very first tire made with FSC-certified natural rubber. The collaboration with JLR represents a new initiative to increase the share of recycled and bio-based materials in tires, marking another step forward in the journey toward sustainability. Moreover, this product will also serve as a testing lab for materials innovation, as the percentage of components with low environmental impact is set to increase over time.
In 2024, JLR became the first car manufacturer ever to equip its vehicles with Pirelli tires containing 100% FSC-certified natural rubber.
