The new Pirelli Cinturato Environmental friendliness, safety and performance are the key features of the new Cinturato, whose innovative compounds, structure and tread patterns ensure lower consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, greater durability and improved safety characteristics in both wet and dry conditions. For more information, access the following link at business sector website: The New Pirelli Cinturato

Self-supporting Run Flat tyres
Pirelli's Self-Supporting Run Flat tyres provide greater vehicle control in emergency conditions and allow continued safe driving even during a rapid loss of tyre pressure. Mobility is guaranteed by the self-supporting fabrication process, which involves inserting elastomeric reinforcements in the sidewalls, thus rendering the structure self-supporting. In other words, when pressure is lost, it supports vertical loads and the horizontal and transversal stresses from the vehicle, allowing the driver to reach the nearest service station safely.
For more information, access the following link at business sector website: Self-supporting Run Flat tyres

Winter Sottozero Serie II
This is the ideal tyre for safe driving in the most critical winter conditions, suitable for all sedans and high-performance supercars to offer maximum mobility during autumn and winter months.
For more information, access the following link at business sector website: New Winter Sottozero

Pzero
New concept tyres that, thanks to its special tread compound, offers the extreme performance of a warm tyre from a "cold" start. This permits immediate driving pleasure and raises the safety standards for limit, straight-line and corner braking, in wet and dry conditions, at all speeds achievable on the road and track.
For more information, access the following link at business sector website: Pzero

WINTEC, the first winter tyre for motorcycles and scooters
Wintec is an innovative technology developed to help motorcyclists deal with the problem of seasonal weather conditions. It embodies a new concept of mobility, by extending traditional demands of safety and road hold in cold and/or wet conditions. Starting from the classic limits of motorcycle and scooter use and working on the constraints imposed by seasonal weather, this tyre guarantees a higher level of safety and makes it possible to use motorcycles and scooters even during the winter. Wintec was created on the basis of a detailed analysis of the technical, economic and environmental context, while also exploiting synergies with other Company business units that had already developed similar products.
The identified technical solution was applied to scooters so that they could be used any day of the year, even in severe weather conditions, with a significant improvement in safety margins. With the first cold tyre for motorcycles and scooters, Pirelli makes it possible to extend the usage season and helps solve the problem of safe mobility in large cities.

Cyber™Tyre System
A truly "intelligent tyre" that can not only provide real time data about tyre pressure but also read the road and interface directly with the systems that control the wheel's dynamics, providing the other electronic systems installed on the car with additional information for safe driving. The tyre itself will function as an electronic "sensor", interacting with other devices like ABS and ESP, to provide real-time information such as the used and potential friction coefficient, the forces of contact between the tyre and the road, making it possible to maintain maximum, safe control of the car.
For more information, access the following link at business sector website: Cyber™Tyre system

Cyber™Tyre Lean System
The first TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) device capable of measuring pressure, temperature, the average load on each wheel and the number of rotations of the tyre, and of sending the vehicle's data directly to the vehicle's onboard computer via radio. Cyber Tyre Lean is an ecological device that, thanks to a technology patented by Pirelli, is self-powered through the energy released by the tyre's mechanical vibrations as it rotates.

Pirelli Cinturato, the GREEN tyre
Environmental friendliness, safety and performance are the key features of the new Cinturato, whose innovative compounds, structure and tread patterns ensure lower consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, greater durability and improved safety characteristics in both wet and dry conditions. In particular, the new Cinturato, available in tread sizes P4, P6 and P7 (dedicated to the premium car segment) and featuring ECOIMPACT on the sidewall, can reduce rolling resistance by 20% and energy consumption by 4%, while increasing overall mileage by 30%. The tread contains no aromatic oils, which is a critical element for the environment due to the abrasion that tyres undergo while rolling. With the new Cinturato tyres Pirelli launches a challenge that has never been attempted before in the automotive world: to simultaneously offer performance and environmental compatibility without sacrificing anything, from driving pleasure to safety, while reducing fuel consumption and harmful emissions.
For more information, access the following link at business sector website: Pirelli Cinturato, the GREEN tyre

Pirelli Green Truck Innovation: new Regional R:01
The new Regional, presented in May 2009,is a revolutionary tyre able to combine two points of view that, until recently, seemed irreconcilable: the severe norms in favour of the environment and the needs of the client. FR:01 for directional axles and TR:01 for traction axles anticipate the norm concerning respect for the environment, at the same time satisfying request for a reduction in the costs of management coming from clients due to greater mileage, reduction in fuel consumption, remouldability and respect for the environment, as emphasised by the Ecoimpact icon on the sidewall of the tyre.
For more information, access the following link at business sector website: Pirelli Green Truck Innovation: new Regional R:01

ISO 14001 certification
This is now a well-established process: at 31 December 2008, 23 out of 24 production units had an ISO 14001 certified system. The Tyre plant at Slatina, Romania will be ISO 14001 certified by the end of 2009.

Development and use of new ecological materials
With reference to compounds, Pirelli is actively developing and using a series of new, increasingly ecological materials for compounds. In 2009, rice chaff resulting from the processing of raw rice will be introduced as one of the components used to make tyres. The use of this natural product will enable further reductions in the use of synthetic substances, thereby helping to reduce the environmental impact of tyres.

Green factory
Work on creation of the Technological and Production Centre at Settimo Torinese for production of green tyres continued in 2008, as part of the process to improve efficiency and productivity standards. This project is being carried out as part of a framework agreement between Pirelli Tyre and the Region of Piedmont, Province of Turin and the City of Settimo Torinese. This will be a state-of-the-art industrial centre, the Group's most advanced in terms of technology and efficiency. The most advanced production technologies created by Pirelli research will be used and, perfectly in line with its sustainable development strategy, appropriate measures will be taken to limit environmental impact and resource consumption as much as possible. All of this will be done within the framework of eco-compatible architecture and design. In this context, Pirelli Tyre and the Turin Polytechnic have signed an agreement to pursue joint research and technological innovation projects dedicated not only to minimising the impact of the new industrial site but especially further innovation of the most advanced processes and products of Pirelli Tyre research (such as Next MIRS™ CCM and the "smart" Cyber Tyre).

End-of-life tyre management
Since 2003, European Union Directive 1999/31/EC prohibits disposal in landfills of entire end-of-life tyres (ELTs), and of fragmented ELTs since July 2006. Pirelli has been dedicated for years to research on the management of ELTs, considering the major environmental benefits resulting from their recovery and recycling. Through cooperation with Pirelli Labs, a number of possibilities have been developed for ELTs in terms of recovery of the raw materials that comprise them (material recycling), and recovery in the form of high-energy fuel (energy recovery), as a valid alternative to the use of fossil fuels. This can include:


For more information, access the following link at business sector website: End-of-life tyre management

CCM process
The CCM process for producing compounds uses a 100% computer controlled pneumatic distribution system to transport the ingredients from their storage silos to the continuously operating twin-screw extruders. The CCM technology was designed to manage the complexity of the process deriving from the large number of ingredients required to produce the compound. The computer controlled process improves the quality of the produced compound, and consequently the quality of the finished product. By means of a specially designed powder capture and recycling system for solid materials, CCM technology has reduced dust levels in production areas to extremely low levels. The CCM process also saves energy, enabling a reduction of approximately 20% in energy consumption per unit of product.

Next MIRS™
MIRS™ is an integrated, modular robotic system for making tyres. It has a very high degree of flexibility due to its ability to optimise modularity and logistics. In the MIRS™ process, tyres are fabricated around a heated drum that is tailor-made for a particular tyre model. The drum is continuously rotated by a robot under an extrusion device that distributes rubber over the surface. The drum rotation and compound feeding movements are coordinated to provide the correct distribution of materials to create the specific tyre model. Compared to traditional, large-scale tyre-building systems with their exceptionally high production rates, designed for customers in different geographic locations, the MIRS is a compact production "island", flexible and easily programmable for extremely rapid adaptation to the production of new models. This system represents a real improvement, in terms of both technology and logistics, as it can be easily located near the manufacturing process that it serves. The use of robotics in the production process makes it possible to realise extremely high product quality, due to the geometric distribution of the rubber fibres that is constant for each model.

TSM process
TSM (Twin Screw Mixing) is the new process for preparation of compounds that offers high levels of quality, reliability and ef- ficiency, developed specifically for the production of compounds used in the new Pirelli green tyres. This technology makes it possible to realise major improvements in terms of compound uniformity, reduced dispersal of ingredients and a 30% reduction in energy consumption as compared with traditional techniques.

Pirelli’s commitment to customers’ safety and for an eco-sustainable mobility is expressed also through specific institutional campaigns, through the activity in ETRMA (European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers' Association), whose Chairman is Francesco Gori, the CEO and General Manager of Pirelli Tyre, and through an active participacipation in the WBCSD (World Business Council for Sustainable Development).

Of several important projects in the renewable energy sources field, Pirelli CDR-Q (High-Quality Refuse-Derived Fuel) is particularly worthy of mention. This is a blend of the dry fraction of municipal solid waste and high-calorific-value fractions such as end-of-life tyres and chlorine-free plastics. Each ton of cofired CDR-Q saves 1.75 tons of CO2. Unlike normal quality RDF and refuse derived fuel, Pirelli CDR-Q provides greater stability and improved quality parameters as regards heating value, lower concentration of pollutants and guarantees as to the content of biodegradable biomass.

In Italy, the integrated system promoted by Pirelli Ambiente Renewable Energy has been running successfully since 2003 in the Province of Cuneo, where a public/private joint venture company called Idea Granda has been set up by Pirelli (49% stake) and ACSR, the local authority refuse collection consortium (51% stake). The introduction of this system has produced a rise in energy recovery from waste in the area to 32%, a figure that is higher than both the Italian average (7%) and, above all, the European average (27%).

Within the sphere of "environmental reclamation", Pirelli & C. Ambiente Site Remediation has been successfully operating in the redevelopment and environmental management system sectors since 1997. The company's extensive experience gained in the Pirelli Group's industrial sectors and in association with PirelliRE has allowed reclamation and redevelopment of derelict industrial areas including brownfield sites. The company offers a huge range of environmental reclamation solutions for brownfield sites, combining specialist technical skills in the soil remediation sector with the more wide-ranging requirements of a global urban and land redevelopment process. Management of environmental aspects and their integration with customer requirements is based on four main objectives: energy efficiency, for both winter heating and summer cooling, use of environmentally-friendly materials, use of renewable energy sources and living comfort.

As part of the photovoltaic business and in full accord with the Group's sustainability mission, 2007 witnessed the incorporation of Solar Utility S.p.A., a 50-50 joint-venture between Pirelli Ambiente and Global Cleantech Capital, a leading European and North American clean energy investment fund specialising in solar energy, green building, wind power, bioenergy and innovative materials with the aim of increasing renewable energy production and energy efficiency. Solar Utility is a photovoltaic utility. It supplies 100% green electricity to end users at competitive prices and has an ambitious three-year investment programme in Italy focused on the development, construction and management of its own photovoltaic facilities with a capacity of 50 MW.

In the renewable energy sector, Pirelli Labs is particularly active in developing photovoltaic technologies. Following a carefully planned series of experiments with all major technologies, both conventional and innovative, carried out together with ENEA, photovoltaic concentration was identified as the most promising solution for reducing costs (which currently represent the principal limit on penetration of this technology). Photovoltaic concentration, which is based on systems of specially developed plastic lenses, makes it possible to use up to one thousand times less photovoltaic material than conventional technologies, by using low cost assembly processes borrowed from the automotive industry. Pirelli Labs, working closing with its parent business unit, Pirelli Ambiente, is developing innovative solutions to increase efficiency in the conversion of modules and simplifying the assembly process. The aim is to reduce the cost of producing electricity from solar power at costs lower than energy from fossil fuels. Other joint projects with Pirelli Ambiente have Pirelli Labs working on the development of innovative solar trackers, to be used both on conventional and concentrated photovoltaic cells that can significantly increase energy yield.

Two products developed by Pirelli Labs set important milestones in 2008:

Available know-how for the recycling of materials enabled Pirelli Tyre to reuse industrial scrap through the assessment of technologies, processes and new solutions for using rubber powder. The aim is to reduce the environmental impact of industrial scrap to a minimum and increase their reuse through the recovery of materials and energy.

Cooperative efforts continue with Pirelli RE to conduct research on materials, products and low impact systems that will improve the quality of buildings. The proposed materials must be recycled and, if possible, recyclable themselves or natural or from renewable sources, and always characterised by a low impact LCA. Once they are integrated in the design, they must enhance energy efficiency and liveability. A significant example of a sustainable product is represented by the Silerex™ sound insulation described above.

Collaboration with Pirelli Eco Technology continued in 2008 on the development of ceramic particulate filters for diesel powered cars. A research project was begun in order to identify an oxidation catalyst of particulate “free of noble and toxic metals” to be applied on the filter to permit passive regeneration. Once the optimum composition and its response to thermal aging have been determined, Pirelli will have an effective, proprietary solution that can contribute to reducing urban air pollution. In regard to raw materials, alternative processes were identified for the production of silicon carbide, starting from biomass resulting from the processing scrap of agricultural products. Once Pirelli specifications are satisfied, the economics of the process will be assessed in order to prepare a key raw material from a renewable source.

Pirelli Labs is also active in the sector of fuel cell energy generation systems. It has developed a particularly versatile polymer electrolyte free of halogens that performs outstandingly in cells fuelled both by hydrogen and direct methanol.

The development of integrated antenna solutions continued for application to broadband access devices using WiFi technology. The spread of the new 802.11n standard, which exploits the MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technique with the use of two or more antennas, has raised the even more urgent need to integrate the antennas inside the devices themselves. An ADSL modem designed and developed by Pirelli Broadband Solutions for a European telephone operator was equipped with a pair of internal stamped circuitry antennas with a spatial con- figuration protected by a Pirelli patent. The device will be produced and sold in 2009.
A potentially significant solution that is currently being studied calls for an adjustable antenna to be installed in wireless extender devices that make it possible to connect the TV receiver by cable (IPTV) with the ADSL modem without it being necessary to install cables between the different spaces where the modem and receiver are housed. Thanks to its ability to guide the radiated power in the best directions for making a connection, the integrated adjustable antenna inside the wireless extender will make it possible not only to create a smaller, more attractive device, but also to optimise its performance and reduce the emission of electromagnetic energy in directions that are not useful for communication (thereby limiting this form of pollution).

The technical and scientific expertise developed in Pirelli laboratories have also been applied to provide innovative support to PZERO brand products. Activity in the fashion and footwear sectors is focused on identifying and transferring technologies that can lend special properties to the materials used.
Characteristics such as breathability and water and oil repellency are essential for outerwear that can be used in most seasons. The aim is to realise these characteristics through eco-compatible processes without changing the appearance and consistency of fabrics or skins. Joint efforts have been undertaken with major tanning groups, textile companies and research groups in order to consolidate the synergies necessary for industrialisation and application of the processes. In 2009 research is also continuing on active substances that can lend particular effects to skins and fabrics.

The Pirelli Feelpure™ system combines the particulate filter (also known as FAP or DPF) with a regeneration technology based on the use of a specific catalysing additive (called CAM FBC). The vast range of antiparticulate filters ('Feelpure') are both available to retrofit already circulating commercial vehicles and for installation in new cars (first equipment).
Recent tests, conducted by Eni Tecnologie Laboratories, the European Commission Joint Research Centre in Ispra and the University of Biel under the VERT programme, have shown reductions of over 90% in mass particulate and 99% in finer particulate, over 90% in carbon monoxide and up to 69% of unburned hydrocarbons.

GECAM™ - patented by the Group - is an emulsion of water (10%) and diesel for vehicle use and heating that permits reduction of particulate emissions by 50%. This result was achieved by using emulsified water, which can improve the combustion of diesel and reduce the production of nitrous oxides, one of the principal pollutants typically found in urban areas. GECAM™ has been tested by various national and international research institutes. In the vehicle fuel segment, Eni Tecnologie Laboratories have found reductions of more than 50% in particulate emissions, 5-6% of nitrous oxides and over 30% of carbon monoxide.