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Pirelli Launches Tire Made From Rice Husk And Scraps

Written by Alisson Ficher
Published on 15/07/2025 at 14:51
Updated on 15/07/2025 at 15:03
Pirelli lança pneu sustentável com restos de arroz e sucatas, unindo inovação e sustentabilidade em parceria com JLR para carros de luxo.
Pirelli lança pneu sustentável com restos de arroz e sucatas, unindo inovação e sustentabilidade em parceria com JLR para carros de luxo.
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Tire Developed For Luxury Cars Combines Agricultural And Recyclable Waste In Search Of Performance And Lower Environmental Impact, Marking Advancement In The Adoption Of Sustainable Technologies By The Automotive Industry.

Pirelli announced in June 2025 the launch of the first mass-produced tire in the global market composed of over 70% biological and recycled materials, consolidating a growing trend of sustainability in the automotive industry.

The new product, developed in exclusive partnership with JLR, is initially intended for the Range Rover in specific versions with 22-inch wheels, aligning with the British automaker’s commitment to incorporate more sustainable tires into luxury vehicles.

The tire, named Pirelli P Zero, stands out not only for the use of innovative compounds but also for the rigor in the supply chain.

Among the materials used are natural rubber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC™), which certifies responsible practices from cultivation to industrial production.

This seal ensures that all natural rubber used in Pirelli’s factories in Europe will be certified by FSC™ by 2026, a goal already in implementation.

In addition to certified rubber, the tire uses recycled steel sourced from the melting of scrap metal, ensuring the maintenance of the mechanical properties of virgin material and contributing to the reduction of primary resource usage.

Another important component is silica derived from rice husks, an agricultural byproduct usually discarded, which, after processing, becomes an efficient input for tread compounds, enhancing tire performance on wet surfaces.

YouTube Video

Sustainable Tire With Recycled Materials

The development of this Pirelli P Zero involved challenges for the Research and Development department, especially in balancing the Ultra-High Performance (UHP) concept — internationally recognized for superior performance in varying conditions — with environmental commitment.

According to information from the manufacturer, the new model also incorporates reclaimed carbon black, obtained from pyrolysis oil extracted from out-of-use tires, increasing the reuse of waste from the industry.

Among the innovative materials are also biocircular polymers, produced from monomers generated with used cooking oil or pyrolysis oil, gradually replacing fossil-derived polymers.

The composition is complemented by bio-resins and plant-based plasticizers, essential elements for optimizing the balance between grip on dry and wet surfaces.

The identification of tires that meet this standard is done through the FSC™ seal accompanied by a unique Pirelli logo, validated by Bureau Veritas, an independent institution responsible for auditing and certifying that the compounds meet sustainability and traceability criteria.

This certification reflects a growing concern in the automotive sector with transparency, traceability, and reducing environmental impacts.

Certification And Traceability In Production

It is worth noting that in 2021, Pirelli had already produced the first tire with natural rubber certified by FSC™, establishing a starting milestone for this journey.

Since then, the collaboration between Pirelli and JLR has evolved, allowing for a continuous increase in the proportion of recycled and renewable materials in the products.

In 2024, JLR became a pioneer by equipping its vehicles with Pirelli tires composed of 100% FSC™ certified natural rubber, setting a new standard for the premium car segment.

The new generation of P Zero tires is not limited to immediate application in Range Rover models.

It represents a test laboratory for technologies that, according to Pirelli, will gradually be incorporated into other products in the lineup.

The trend is that the percentage of low environmental impact materials will progressively increase, driving the development of solutions aligned with global sustainability requirements.

Circular Economy In The Automotive Sector

The adoption of waste such as rice husks, traditionally discarded in large volumes in agribusiness, is an example of circular innovation.

The silica produced from this material contributes to reducing the consumption of fossil resources while maintaining performance in terms of grip and abrasion resistance, two critical factors for vehicle safety.

Recycled steel, in turn, not only decreases demand for mining but also integrates a more sustainable supply chain, a characteristic valued in demanding markets like Europe.

The development of the new tires also responds to regulatory and social pressure for solutions that reduce the carbon footprint of the automotive sector, traditionally associated with high emissions levels.

Companies like Pirelli, by adopting FSC™ certification and investing in waste reuse processes, seek not only to meet environmental legislation but also to attract consumers mindful of socio-environmental responsibility.

Innovation And Impact On The Global Market

The tire sector has seen similar initiatives from other global manufacturers, but the rate of over 70% of biological and recycled materials sets the new P Zero apart in the global context.

The involvement of independent bodies for verifying compliance with standards reinforces the reliability of the information presented by the manufacturer.

The launch of the Pirelli P Zero with over 70% renewable materials, in collaboration with JLR, marks a significant advancement towards a circular economy within the automotive industry.

The expectation is that the success of this initiative will influence other automakers and suppliers to accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices and inputs, amplifying the positive impact across the entire production chain.

Do you believe that the adoption of tires made with waste and recycled materials will be a decisive competitive differentiator for luxury car manufacturers in the coming years? Leave your comment and join the debate!

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Alisson Ficher

A journalist who graduated in 2017 and has been active in the field since 2015, with six years of experience in print magazines, stints at free-to-air TV channels, and over 12,000 online publications. A specialist in politics, employment, economics, courses, and other topics, he is also the editor of the CPG portal. Professional registration: 0087134/SP. If you have any questions, wish to report an error, or suggest a story idea related to the topics covered on the website, please contact via email: alisson.hficher@outlook.com. We do not accept résumés!

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