Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced that it will be the first in the industry to introduce tyres containing more than 70% renewable and recycled materials at scale.
The Warwickshire-based car giant said in a statement that the tyres will combine “materials with reduced environmental impact without compromise on quality and performance standards for its clients”. They will be available this year as standard on select new Range Rover models where a 22″ wheel is specified, ahead of a wider roll‑out and aim to expand across other brands.
Developed with global tyre manufacturer Pirelli specifically for JLR, the new P Zero tyre contains silica sourced from rice husks, a natural by‑product of rice milling. Silica is used to enhance wet performance in tyres.
Furthermore, fossil‑based polymers and resins, used to help optimise the balance between dry and wet performance, have been replaced with plant‑based alternatives such as agricultural by‑products or used cooking oils.
The tyres also contain recycled materials, reportedly 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.
The company said 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 yet they perform as well, combining environmental responsibility with high‑performance design.
Reuben Chorley, sustainable industrial operations director at JLR, said: “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.
“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 companies’ expertise in procurement and engineering, we have been able to deliver this industry first.”
The new P Zero tyre also contains FSC™ (Forest Stewardship Council™) certified natural rubber and is a result of JLR’s on‑going collaboration with Pirelli. The two companies have a shared vision to increase the use of recycled and bio‑based materials in their products. All bio and recycled materials used will be third party certified to verify quantity and quality.
Manufacturing & Engineering Magazine | The Home of Manufacturing Industry News
