Giovanni Tronchetti Provera, Head of Sustainability and Future Mobility at Pirelli, said: “For several years, Pirelli has consistently reduced its environmental impact: a policy confirmed by all the main sustainability indices, which have recognised our commitment and transparency both in terms of results and ethos. For this reason, for example, we indicate the percentage of sustainable materials by saying ‘at least’ rather than ‘up to’. We will now continue down this road, which our car manufacturer partners also recognise and appreciate.”
FUTURE TARGETS
Pirelli’s path towards reduced environmental impact includes the ever-increasing use of sustainable materials. Pirelli’s initial objective, originally set for 2025, has already been achieved two years early thanks to P Zero E. The next step, set for selected product lines by 2030, envisages the use of at least 60% of materials of bio-based origin and 12% recycled, with less than 30% of fossil-derived ingredients
HOW IMPORTANT ARE TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS?
These innovations have set in motion a virtuous path both at quantitative level – thanks to increasingly higher percentages of sustainable materials – and qualitative level, through the certification of supply chains to internationally accredited standards.
In 2021, for example, Pirelli was first to produce an FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) certified tire that uses natural rubber and FSC® rayon. The certification confirms that plantations are managed in a way that preserves biological diversity and benefits the lives of local communities and workers, while ensuring economic sustainability.
The main challenge in developing the new P Zero E was to combine the need for sustainability with the high performance required from a UHP tire. This objective was reached thanks to these new materials, which include:
LIGNIN
Lignin comes from the scrap of the pulp and paper industry. Lignin contributes to tire durability and foreseen rolling resistance reduction.
RICE HUSK ASH SILICA
Rice husk ash silica derives from the scrap of rice cultivation. Silica is widely used in tread compounds to obtain a high level of performance in wet conditions. Rice husk ash silica is a good replacement for fossil-based silica in such tread applications.
CIRCULAR CARBON BLACK
Circular carbon black derives from end-of-life tires pyrolysis oil. Pyrolysis is a way to prevent landfill disposal of end-of-life tires. Carbon black is used in rubber compounds to optimise stability, strength, and durability of tires.
BIO CIRCULAR POLYMERS
Bio-circular polymers are made from monomers derived from used cooking oils or tire pyrolysis oil. They are a replacement for fossil-sourced polymers.
NATURAL RUBBER
Natural rubber is obtained from the latex of Hevea Brasiliensis, the rubber tree. This is a material 100% derived from biomass.
BIO-RESINS
Bio resins are plasticisers deriving from vegetal biomass such as plant seeds (sunflower or canola) or forest-based resins. Bio resins are versatile ingredients, providing a better balance of dry and wet performance.
RAYON
Rayon is a textile reinforcement of a tire, with fibres deriving from cellulose.
Source: Pirelli