Pirelli partners with university in search of fuel efficient tyre

JINAN, China (Aug. 12, 2008) - In an attempt to discover a new generation of ecologically friendly tires, the Silvio Tronchetti Provera Foundation and the University of Shandong have signed a research agreement.

The foundation, which is named after Pirelli S.p.A. chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera's father Silvio, is part of the Pirelli Group and was created in 2001 for the promotion of research in the sectors of economics, science and technology. It also focuses on other areas of interest for industrial development, mainly promoting training of young talent in these fields.

University researchers will work with the research and development (R&D) department of the Pirelli Group in China to produce low rolling resistance tires designed to reduce a vehicle's fuel consumption, Pirelli said.

In early 2008, the tire maker unveiled in Europe its Cinurato tire, marketed as Pirelli's new “green” tire.

Pirelli's agreement with the Chinese university also includes two joint research initiatives with respective goals of realizing more consistent compound mixtures and studying low-temperature tire vulcanization.

Students, graduates, post-graduates and faculty will take part in the initiative, under the supervision of Professor Zhao Guoqun, dean of the college of material science and technology at the University of Shandong; Maurizo Boiocchi, head of R&D at Pirelli; and Alexander Bregantim, head of R&D of Pirelli in China.

Pirelli said the research project, which will last one year in duration, will be carried out in the laboratories of the university with the support of the Pirelli industrial structures in Shandong.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)