Conti uses new sustainable compound in SR drive belt

HANOVER, Germany—Continental A.G. is presenting its latest synthetic rubber drive belt based on a new sustainable compound that will help the company further advance climate protection.

Making its debut at the Automechanika trade show in Frankfurt on Sept. 13-17, the new timing belt's profile side is made not from polychloroprene rubber, which is conventionally used for the product, but a new and patented synthetic rubber.

This new compound, Conti said in an Aug. 31 press release, has "a significantly lower global warming potential."

The statement did not provide further details on what the new compound includes, but said that compared to polychloroprene, it generates about 50 percent smaller carbon footprint—from manufacture to disposal.

Furthermore, the belt's tension members and fabric are made with organic fibers and biopolymers from renewable raw materials, Conti said.

The product also features technical improvements, such as enabling higher power transmission and offering improved cold and heat resistance compared to its predecessors.

According to Conti, the new timing belt is ready for series production and is slated for global launch by mid-2023.