Pirelli has achieved a milestone in sustainable mobility with the launch of a new standard production tyre made from over 70 per cent bio-based and recycled materials. Developed for Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), the innovative P Zero model will be offered on selected 22-inch wheels for Range Rover vehicles. This development signals a new chapter in environmentally responsible material use for the automotive sector, particularly relevant for automotive designers and sustainable product developers.
At the core of this achievement is the use of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified natural rubber, verifying that the material originates from responsibly managed plantations. The tyre carries both the FSC label and a dedicated mark from Pirelli identifying it as a product made with over 50 per cent sustainable content. These credentials have been independently verified by Bureau Veritas. As part of a broader commitment, Pirelli plans to use only FSC-certified rubber in all European production sites by 2026.
Meeting the demands of ultra-high performance (UHP) while reducing environmental impact required intensive research and development. The new P Zero integrates a range of advanced materials that enable both circularity and performance. Recycled steel, sourced partly from melted scrap, retains the mechanical qualities of virgin steel. Silica obtained from rice husk waste ensures reliable wet traction. The tyre also includes circular carbon black, produced from pyrolysis oil extracted from used tyres, alongside bio-circular polymers made from secondary feedstocks like used cooking oil. Plant-based plasticisers further fine-tune the tyre’s balance between dry and wet performance.
The P Zero line has long been Pirelli’s testbed for cutting-edge technologies, and this model builds on the company’s earlier milestones, including the 2021 release of the first FSC-certified tyre. In 2024, JLR became the first automaker to fit vehicles with tyres composed entirely of FSC-certified natural rubber. This latest development reflects the growing importance of sustainable material strategies in the luxury automotive market and underlines how long-term collaborations can drive measurable progress in design and production.
As the share of sustainable components continues to grow, this tyre also serves as a rolling laboratory for future materials. For automotive and product designers alike, it offers a compelling example of how high-performance and ecological responsibility can go hand in hand.
Source & images: Pirelli