Continental debuts EV-ready sustainable materials tire

HANOVER, Germany — Continental A.G. is preparing to launch an aftermarket passenger tire in Europe this summer manufactured with up to 65% sustainable materials, the UltraContact NXT.

Continental said the tire, which contains both recycled materials and renewable raw materials, is its most sustainable yet, adding that it is the first tire maker "to launch a tire with both a high share of sustainable materials and maximum EU tire-label performance in volume production."

All 19 sizes available will carry the highest possible rating ("A") of the EU tire label in rolling resistance, wet braking and exterior noise, the company said.

"This development represents a significant leap forward and demonstrates our technological leadership as well as our strong commitment to both sustainability and safety," Ferdinand Hoyos, head of business area Replacement Tires EMEA, said.

"With its impressive performance, the UltraContact NXT pushes sustainability to the (next) level."

The tire — a fitment for both electric vehicle (EV) and combustion engine models — bears the company's EV compatible logo.

Continental said the tire is an ideal fitment for vehicles such as the Kia Niro, VW ID.3, Mercedes-Benz EQA, Tesla Model 3, Audi Q4 E-Tron, Skoda Octavia, VW Golf 8 and Audi A3, among others.

Renewable materials account for as much as 32% of the tire's materials content, as it varies slightly given the tire's size, including natural rubber.

Continental also used resins made from residual materials from the paper and wood industries in the compound to help improve the tire's grip. Rice husk ash silica helps optimize grip, rolling resistance and tire life.

Continental said recycled content accounts for as much as 5% of the tire's makeup. As such, the UltraContact NXT carries a special "contains recycled materials" logo on its sidewall to underscore the efforts the tire maker has undertaken in this arena.

A major reason for those achievements? ContiRe.Tex technology, which can turn post-consumer PET bottles into key reinforcing materials.

"It generates high-performance polyester fibers used to reinforce the tire carcass through recycling PET bottles, which otherwise would have ended up in incinerators or landfills," Continental said.

"With the ContiRe.Tex technology, Continental has developed a more energy-efficient and eco-friendly alternative that allows it to recycle between nine and 15 plastic bottles for each tire, depending on the tire size."

End-of-life-tire-derived materials also have a place in the UltraContact NXT. And that's a critical step for the tire maker, which looks to implement fully circular operations in its tire production by no later than 2050.

As much as 28% of the UltraContact NXT's material content is derived from an ISCC PLUS mass-balance-certified materials, including synthetic rubber and carbon blacks. This, the tire maker said, helps to ensure transparency and traceability of its supply chain sustainability, especially in the areas of manufacturing and procurement.

"At Continental, safety, performance, and sustainability go hand in hand," Hoyos said. "With the UltraContact NXT we deliver on our ambitious sustainability goals."

Conti did not disclose the sizes being launched nor say how the range will be priced compared with other products in the UltraContact line. Photos online show the product has a directional tread pattern and is marked XL for extra load capacity. The line features a sculpted sidewall showing stylized leaves.