Pirelli Tyres More and More Environment-Friendly

A notable reduction in fuel consumption (equal to 2.6%) is found in tyres containing silica compared to traditional models (which are mainly made with carbon black). For a number of years Pirelli has mainly been using silica rather than carbon black in the manufacture of compounds used for the tread, resulting in an 11% reduction in overall environmental impact.

Pirelli Group Tyre Sector is constantly involved, first and foremost, in the design and development of new compounds and new product lines that, thanks to new materials, innovative internal structures and new patterns are capable of reducing rolling resistance, bolstering the durability and especially the safety and the quality of the tyre itself. The key target, in environmental terms, is optimizing rolling resistance or, in other words, the force with which tyre opposes the advancement of the vehicle. Resistance offered by the vehicle’s mechanical components and air penetration influences fuel consumption and, consequently, the emission of exhaust gases per unit of distance traveled.

The rolling resistance value is naturally different for the various types of tyre and depends on a series of factors such as the formulation of the tread compound, a tyre’s inflation pressure, the speed and weight of the vehicle, the road surface characteristics, the ambient temperature, and how a tyre itself is used. In this context the ELRR (“Extra Low Rolling Resistance”) package has been available for some years and influences every component of the tyre to obtain an improvement in its general performance ratings as well as a further reduction in rolling resistance.

Another part of total impact is due to tyre debris, which refers to rubber particles worn away as a result of the friction between the tread and the road surface: during its life cycle a tyre shreds a quantity of tyre debris, estimated at around 10-14% of its original weight. Studies are currently being carried out across Europe into the impact of these particles on the environment: Pirelli constantly monitors this topic through a continuous exchange of information and experience with other tyre manufacturers, through the BLIC (“Bureau de Liaison des Industries du Caoutchouc”).

One final but no less important aspect associated with the use of tyres concerns their noise emissions, which are studies with the aid of special software and testing procedures, both in the field and through laboratory testing in appropriately equipped facilities such as anechoic chambers.

Pirelli tyres are marketed in Oman by their authorized sole distributor General Trading Enterprises LLC an OTE group of company with strong distribution and service network spread across Oman.