HEFEI, China—Continental A.G.'s pursuit of greater sustainability has gotten an ISCC Plus stamp of approval, a milestone in its journey to 100-percent sustainable materials tires by 2050.
Continental's plant in Hefei earned the ISCC Plus certification for meeting certain sustainability standards and for demonstrating transparency and traceability in the use of more sustainable materials in its tires.
The facility, inaugurated in 2009, has been producing car and light commercial vehicle tires for the Asia-Pacific region since 2011. It's been producing two wheel tires since 2019.
According to Continental, the ISCC Plus certification was earned in part because of the fulfilling and documenting certain raw material in mass balancing procedures, which take into account fossil, renewable and recycled raw materials in existing systems and processes. These materials are tracked across the entire value chain and are allocated proportionately.
The various criteria required for ISCC PLUS certification also is awarded for steps taken to protect ecosystems, ensure compliance with labor and human rights and the promotion of sustainable economic development.
"The certification proves the high quality of all of our work processes, from the procurement of certified raw materials to the transportation of the finished tire," Xiaoji Wang, head of the Continental Hefei tire plant, said in a statement. "Our Hefei plant meets the strict certification requirements of ISCC PLUS, including raw material traceability and compliance with environmental standards. This certification underlines our commitment to sustainable processes along the entire value chain."
The mass-balance approach is wrapped into the UltraContact NXT, which the tire maker calls its "most sustainable" offering. The tire employs synthetic rubber made from bio-based and bio-circular raw materials or carbon black, which is produced in part using oil from circular processes.
The UltraContact NXT is manufactured at the company's plant in Lousado, Portugal, which also has earned ISCC Plus certification.
"We are increasing the proportion of renewable and recyclable materials in our tires. We use the principle of mass balance to enable sustainable materials and technologies to ramp up, while generating the needed transparency and accountability regarding our progress. This is confirmed by the internationally recognized ISCC Plus certification," Jorge Almeida, Continental's head of sustainability for tires, said in a news release. "Our aim is to gradually roll out the mass-balance approach to all our tire plants worldwide."
