Conti starts production of 65% sustainable tire line

LOUSADA, Portugal—Continental A.G. has started volume production of what it claims is its "most sustainable series tire to date"—the UltraContact NXT—at its plant in Lousada.

With up to 65 percent renewable, recycled and mass balance certified materials, the new summer tire is claimed to combine a "remarkably high share of sustainable materials with maximum safety and performance."

Continental said it "will gradually introduce the UltraContact NXT in Europe, (and) the first sizes will be available to tire dealers in Europe shortly."

The UltraContact NXT, it further noted, was "designed for both electric and combustion engines, offering the highest label efficiency and optimum mileage performance."

All dimensions of the UltraContact NXT carry the highest possible rating under the European Union tire labeling scheme, with an "A" rating for rolling resistance, wet braking and exterior noise, Conti said.

Renewable materials such as resins based on residual materials from the paper and wood industries and silicate from the ash of rice husks account for "up to 32 percent" of the UltraContact NXT.

Recycled-materials-content stands, rated at "up to 5 percent", includes recycled rubber material, which comes from mechanically processed end-of-life tires, while Continental is also using recycled steel in the UltraContact NXT.

Another feature is the use of polyester reinforcement produced via ContiRe.Tex technology, which generates the fiber material from recycled PET bottles.

The new tire is also said to use up to 28 percent ISCC PLUS mass-balance-certified materials: synthetic rubber and carbon black made from biobased, bio-circular and/or circular feedstock.

By 2030, Continental aims to have over 40 percent renewable and recycled content in its tires, towards a target of employing 100 percent sustainable materials in all its tire products by 2050.

Conti did not disclose the size range or expected pricing for the commercially available NXT but did say it was designed for both electric and combustion engines and therefore will carry the firm's EV Compatible logo.

Among the targeted vehicles are Audi Q4 E-Tron and A3, Kia Niro, Mercedes-Benz EQA, Tesla Model 3, Skoda Octavia, Tesla Model 3, VW ID.3 and VW Golf 8 and others.