Sustainable Tire Materials Support Pirelli’s ESG Performance

Pirelli enters the Top 1% of S&P Global’s 2026 Sustainability Yearbook, driven by ESG performance and sustainable tire innovation.

With the increasing pressure to reduce GHG emissions from vehicles, auto parts suppliers play a critical role in innovating low-carbon solutions. A circular economy approach plays a vital role because raw materials account for a large share of production costs. Companies now need to prioritize performing lifecycle assessments to select the most sustainable inputs.

Sustainability Metrics Meet Operational Risk

Ongoing disruptions in supply chains and energy markets expose the industry to broader operational risks. At the same time, the rising use of conflict minerals and rare earth elements in alternative drivetrains pushes manufacturers to secure responsible suppliers and improve transparency. In the automotive sector, passenger safety remains essential, requiring auto parts suppliers to identify and address potential hazards early. Meanwhile, autonomous driving technologies create new business opportunities for component manufacturers while raising the bar for quality standards. Pirelli understood these rising necessities and therefore scored eighty-six points in the Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA). Positioning the company at the highest level both in the Auto Components sector and making it the only tire manufacturer worldwide to have achieved this recognition.

You can also read: Tire Recycling: Feasibility and Profitability

From Sustainable Inputs to ESG Leadership

Material innovation alone does not define sustainability leadership. It must align with broader corporate strategy, measurable outcomes, and transparent reporting. This is why S&P Global breaks down its criteria with the respective weight in the following way:

The ranking evaluates over 9,200 companies based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. S&P Global provides the ranking of the 848 companies selected for this year’s Yearbook based on CSA Scores, with inclusion in the top tier representing the highest level of recognition.

Giovanni Tronchetti Provera, Executive Vice President Sustainability, New Mobility and Motorsport at Pirelli, stated: “Pirelli’s confirmation in the Top 1% of the 2026 Sustainability Yearbook represents a great validation of the company’s journey. Innovative development and responsible growth specifically guide our operational choices: continuous investment in technology, transparent management of the entire value chain, and a strong focus on safety, skills, and people development. This approach strengthens our competitiveness and our ability to create long-term value for all our stakeholders.”

The Metrics Translated into Product-Level Innovation

Pirelli’s recognition is also reflected at the product level. Its latest milestone shows how material science and sustainability strategy are beginning to converge in tire development.

The company introduced a standard production tire for the global market with more than 70% bio-based and recycled materials. The tire also carries Forest Stewardship Council certification, which supports responsible natural rubber sourcing from plantation to factory.

Pirelli had already taken this approach to motorsport in 2024 with the launch of the world’s first complete line of FSC-certified racing tires. Now, the company is bringing that work into standard production through a new P Zero tire developed for Jaguar Land Rover, the first car manufacturer to adopt it for its luxury vehicles.

The development of the new P Zero combines Ultra-High Performance (UHP) with a high content of bio-based and recycled materials, which include:

• Recycled Steel: Utilizes processed scrap metal in place of virgin raw materials while preserving the identical mechanical integrity and durability of traditional steel.
• Rice Husk-Derived Silica: Leverages agricultural waste from rice processing to enhance tread compounds, ensuring superior grip and safety in wet conditions.
• Circular Carbon Black: Recovered via pyrolysis of end-of-life tires, transforming waste back into a high-value reinforcing agent for new production.
• Bio-Circular Polymers: Replaces fossil-fuel derivatives with monomers derived from used cooking oils or pyrolysis oils.
• Plant-Based Bio-Resins: Employs natural plasticizers to achieve an optimal performance balance, maintaining high traction across both dry and wet surfaces.

P Zero and Innovation

The collaboration with JLR marks a new step to increase the share of recycled and bio-based materials in tires, advancing the journey toward sustainability. This product will also work as a testing platform for materials innovation, with the proportion of low-impact components set to grow over time. P Zero serves as the product line where Pirelli introduces its latest technologies, reinforcing its strong focus on innovation and securing its position as a preferred partner for premium and prestige car manufacturers worldwide.