Continental expands use of recycled PET, recycled steel and cokoon

Continental says it is integrating even more renewable and recycled materials into its tyre production. Committed to the principles of the circular economy, the tyre manufacturer says it is also motivating its suppliers to increasingly develop and provide sustainable materials to manufacture tyres.

While Continental’s share of renewable and recycled materials in tyre production averaged 26 per cent in 2024, the company now states that its goal is to increase this figure to at least 40 per cent within the next five years.

A major focus is on identifying and introducing sustainable alternatives for raw materials that are used today to reinforce tyres – in other words, materials that assure dimensional stability and performance over the tyre’s lifetime.

These are primarily made of steel and textiles, which make up around 18 per cent of the materials used in passenger car tyres. In commercial vehicle or specialty tyres, this share can be even higher.

Continental is continuously expanding its use of more sustainable materials, including recycled steel and polyester yarns made from recycled PET bottles. More sustainable manufacturing methods, such as those used in cokoon adhesion technology, are also being introduced in tyre production.

Furthermore, the company is using innovative alternatives across all raw material groups, such as synthetic rubber from used cooking oil, resins from bio-based waste materials and silica from the ashes of rice husks.

“We are not reinventing the wheel – but we are reinventing the tyre, with more sustainable materials and more environmentally compatible production processes,” said Dr. Matthias Haufe, head of material development and industrialisation at Continental Tires.

“It’s not just about the rubber itself. We also focus on the materials that give the rubber its shape and make tyres stable and safe. Recycled steel and polyester yarn made from recycled PET bottles are important for more sustainable tyre production. Our goal is to use at least 40 per cent renewable and recycled materials in our tyres within five years. Every alternative material brings us an important step closer to this goal.”