JLR will be the first in the industry to introduce at scale tyres containing more than 70 per cent renewable and recycled materials such as silica from rice husks and plant-based resins. The vehicle maker has collaborated with Pirelli to develop a JLR-specific version of the new P Zero. This tyre will the standard fit on select Range Rover models equipped with 22-inch wheels from this year ahead of a wider roll-out across other models and brands.
The new Pirelli P Zero contains silica, used to enhance wet performance in tyres, sourced from rice husks, a natural by-product of rice milling. Plant-based alternatives such as agricultural by-products or used cooking oils help optimise the balance between dry and wet performance in place of fossil-based polymers and resins.
The tyres also contain recycled materials, reducing reliance on primary source material to help alleviate resource consumption. Carbon black, a crucial filler in rubber compounds used to improve stability, strength, and durability, is recovered from end-of-life tyres and recycled steel is used to enhance handling and stability.
JLR comments that bio-based and recycled materials are generally more sustainable to obtain, more energy efficient to process, and easier to manage at end-of-life than virgin and fossil-based materials such as synthetic polymers and silica obtained from conventional materials such as quartz sand, yet perform as well, combining environmental responsibility and high-performance design.
Delivering an industry first
“This is another example of how JLR is leading on sustainable design innovation in collaboration with its supply chain partners to deliver at scale, while reducing the environmental impact of our products,” says Reuben Chorley, JLR’s Sustainable Industrial Operations Director. “Achieving a more sustainable composition without compromising quality and performance is a challenge because of the complexity of tyre design. But working closely with Pirelli and leveraging both company’s expertise in procurement and engineering, we have been able to deliver this industry first.”
The new Pirelli P Zero also contains FSC-certified natural rubber and is a result of JLR’s on-going collaboration with the tyre maker. In another global first last year, JLR committed to roll-out FSC-certified natural rubber tyres across its portfolio, to help ensure responsible management of natural rubber in its supply chain. Similarly, all bio and recycled materials used will be third party certified to verify quantity and quality. The two companies state a shared vision to increase the use of recycled and bio-based materials in their products, with an ambition to reach 100 per cent for tyres in the future.
