International. Several components are needed to produce a tire. Among the raw materials used, some come from plantations: natural rubber and a wood derivative called cellulose, which serves for the reinforcement structures of the tire.
The first certified tyre in the world produced by Pirelli will have natural rubber and rayon certified according to the standards of the NGO Forest Stewardship Council, FSC. FSC forest management certification confirms that plantations are managed in a way that preserves biodiversity and brings benefits to the lives of people in local communities and workers, while ensuring economic sustainability. In the complex chain of custody certification process, FSC verifies that, along the transformation chain from the plantation to the tire manufacturer, fsc-certified material has been identified and separated from non-certified material.
The world's first FSC-certified tyre made from natural rubber and rayon from FSC-certified plantations marks a new milestone in sustainable tyre production. It is the P ZERO manufactured for the new BMW X5 xDrive45e Plug-in-Hybrid. Tyre supplied in sizes 275/35 R 22 for the front and 315/30 R 22 for the rear for the second generation of the BMW X5 with electrified traction, which combines a petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and the fourth generation of BMW. eDrive technology.
The sustainability of this tyre, which will be produced exclusively at Pirelli's factory in Rome, Georgia, in the USA. It will also benefit from low rolling resistance (score "A" on the European tyre label), which improves fuel consumption and reduces the resulting harmful emissions. In addition to this, noise levels are lower, which further benefits the environment.
Sustainable management of natural rubber
The FSC certification of the natural rubber produced in certified plantations and used to manufacture the new P ZERO tyre purchased for BMW's X5 Plug-in-Hybrid is just the latest step on Pirelli's journey for many years towards sustainable management of the natural rubber supply chain. This is achieved through a roadmap of activities based on training and the exchange of good practices in the countries of origin of the material, in line with the principles and values contained in Pirelli's Sustainable Natural Rubber Policy, which was issued in 2017.
This document is the result of consultations with key stakeholders in the natural rubber value chain, including international NGOs, Pirelli's main natural rubber suppliers, producers and traders within the supply chain, automotive customers and global multilateral organizations. Pirelli is also a founding member of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR). This multi-stakeholder platform was created in 2018 with the aim of supporting the sustainable development of the natural rubber business worldwide, benefiting the entire supply chain.
