Tread carefully: Continental aims for 40% recycled materials in tyres by 2030

Continental tyres is stepping up its sustainability game. It aims to incorporate over 40% recycled and renewable materials into its tyres by 2030.

This commitment puts Continental in direct competition with other major tyre manufacturers like Michelin and Pirelli, who are also investing heavily in sustainable tyre technologies.  
 
How will Continental cement success for its sustainability strategy? With a new partnership to deliver for the future of tyre production.

Closed-loop tyre recycling

Continental's sustainability push centres around a closed-loop recycling system where end-of-life tyres are transformed into raw materials for new tyres.  Key to this vision is the use of recovered carbon black (rCB), a material that provides tyres with their characteristic black colour and contributes significantly to their strength and durability. 

To achieve this, Continental has signed a 10-year purchase agreement with Pyrum Innovations, a company specializing in the thermolysis of end-of-life tyres. This technology uses high heat to break down tyres into valuable materials like rCB, oil, and gas. This partnership builds upon a previous development agreement signed in 2022 and underscores the commitment of both companies to pioneering sustainable solutions in the tyre industry. 
 
The use of rCB stands to significantly reduce the reliance on fossil fuels for carbon black production. Currently, carbon black makes up 15-20% of a passenger car tyre's composition. By replacing this with rCB, Continental aims to reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to a circular economy. 
 
The partnership has already yielded tangible results. Continental’s tyre manufacturing facility in Korbach, Germany, now produces forklift tyres containing Pyrum's sustainable carbon black.   
 
"Recycled raw materials are becoming increasingly important in our tire production," says Jorge Almeida, Head of Sustainability at Continental Tires. "To further increase the circularity of our products, we need to think differently. We need to move from an 'end-of-life' to an 'end-of-use' tire concept.”

Sustainability strategy: delivering success

Using rCB contributes to a more sustainable and responsible tyre lifecycle.  By recovering valuable materials from end-of-life tyres, the need for new resources is minimized, reducing the environmental impact associated with tyre production and disposal. This builds on Continentals’ work to produce the UltraContact NXT series tyre, made from up to 65% renewable, recycled and ISCC plus certified materials. 
 
Continental's commitment to incorporating 40% recycled materials into its tyres by 2030 is an ambitious goal. By investing in advanced recycling technologies and partnering with companies like Pyrum Innovations, Continental is charging towards a more sustainable and circular economy.  
 
Does sustainability impact your tyre purchasing? Let us know.  

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