TransLogistics

Transport and Logistics Network

Prometeon launches Pirelli-branded Serie 02 tyre range

The Serie 02 is the result of four years of study, 180 million kilometres of tests on the roads of Italy, Germany and Turkey, the testing of 2,500 tyres, the input of a working group of 100 professionals drawn from research and development, marketing, logistics and commercial departments. It is the most important product launch in the history of Prometeon Tyre Group, the only tyre manufacturer in the world fully focused on the Truck & Bus, Agro and OTR sectors.  The Serie 02 is born: the new generation of premium Prometeon tyres with the PIRELLI brand that will arrive on the roads of the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, Africa) simultaneously in early April.

Initially, there will be five product lines available on the market, for long haul, regional, urban and construction sites use.  “The Serie 02 represents the state of the art of Prometeon and represents best practice in production of tyres for professional use,” says Roberto Righi, General Manager of Prometeon Tyre Group. “For the company, it means a generational change of products thanks to our new technologies, focused on the sustainability of the tyres, starting with the use of raw materials and the production process to get to their recovery. This attention to the environment makes our products more sustainable both in the production process as well as in use, because they are able to promote the reduction of CO2 emissions as well as fuel savings – the latter is very important given the current market problems.”

Innovation and sustainability were the key targets for Prometeon’s R&D team when developing the new range. It represents the maximum in terms of cost efficiency for professionals in the transport sector and respect for the environment, thanks to the technological solutions developed in Research and Development centers of the company in the name of sustainable innovation. R&D effort was focused on an increasingly effective management of operating costs, to ensure high mileage on one side and “active sustainability” on the other: longer tyre life and lower rolling resistance, reducing commercial vehicles’ fuel consumption.

There was an intense focus on the compounds and the manufacturing processes to obtain a very balanced product, able to offer the best performance while fully respecting the sustainability principles and with the same safety standards.  Indeed, compared to the previous range, the Serie 02 improves in all performances:

  • rolling resistance is on average 18% less for the first five product lines;
  • mileage is improved by 10% on average;
  • durability is improved by 20% on average and 
  • even wear is improved by 10% on average. 

“In the design and production we focused on formulations and use of renewable materials; on formulations containing sustainable materials and on technological solutions and innovative processes that have allowed us to optimize the weight of the tyres without any compromise in performance,” underlines Alexandre Bregantim, Chief Technical Officer of Prometeon Tyre Group. “In addition, all products can be regrooved and are retreadable, extending the useful life of the tyre.” The first five product lines of the Serie 02 to arrive on the market are:

  • H02 PROFUEL available as 385/55 R 22.5 and 315/70 R 22.5;
  • R02 PROFUEL available as 225/75 R 17.5 and 285/70 R 19.5;
  • R02 PRO available as 385/65 R 22.5;
  • U02 URBAN-e PRO available as 275/70 R 22.5 and 315/60 R 22.5;
  • G02 PRO available as 385/65 R 22.5.

With the new series, new nomenclatures make their debut: a letter indicates the application (H for motorway; R for regional; U for urban; and G for construction sites and mixed routes on and on-/off-road).

This is followed by the series number, 02; then the type of use is indicated (Profuel for reduced rolling resistance; PRO Trailer dedicated to trailers and semi-trailers; and Urban-e for city buses also electric and hybrid propulsion); and finally the indication of the mounting axle (Steer, Drive and Multiaxle, the latter for steering axles and semi-trailers). The Prometeon brand appears on all the Serie 02 tyres, with the wording “Prometeon Engineered” to confirm the design and production effort of Prometeon Tyre Group and the technological innovations achieved. As part of the Serie 02 launch, an important new product joins the Prometeon portfolio: the H02 PROFUEL, which is designed for long haul applications and is the first PIRELLI-branded tyre for tractors that is rated A for fuel consumption. 

The Serie 02 products have the 3PMSF winter marking, are equipped with an RFID sensor and are approved by the major European vehicle manufacturers.

Among the innovations at the heart of the Serie 02 are:

  • PROGEA (Pro Grip Environment Approach): this is a new approach to materials, in particular to compounds.

    Prometeon has chosen to use sustainable materials, both for protecting the health of factory personnel and for a reduced environmental impact, without compromising on the performance of the product in terms of safety (wet grip) and efficiency (rolling resistance).

  • SHTB (Super High Tensile Belt): cords are made with high-strength steel, providing high flexibility and prevention of corrosion propagation, for superior integrity and longevity of the casing.
  • SWITe (Spiral Wire Technology): the cable of the zero-degree spiral belt has a new geometry and an increased diameter, promoting durability and resistance.
  • COBe (Cross Over Bead): the reinforced bead, in combination with the new geometry of the metal threads, gives great flexibility, resistance and high load capacity.
  • LEDB (Low Energy Dissipation Belts): innovative configuration of the belt pack to optimise the weight of the tyre and limit energy loss, promoting low rolling resistance and reducing fuel consumption.
  • SSRP (Step Shoulder Rib Profile): a new tread shoulder profile promotes the correct distribution of footprint contact pressure, helping to improve even wear and mileage. 
  • HR4B (High Resistance 4 Belts): the belts structure is designed to maximise casing flexibility and structural resistance of the carcass, helping to improve handling, durability and retreadability.