Conti starts volume production of its ‘most sustainable ever’ tire

Hanover, Germany - Continental has started production of the UltraContact NXT – its “most sustainable series tire to date” – at its manufacturing site in Lousado, Portugal.

With up to 65% 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.”

All dimensions of the UltraContact NXT carry the highest possible rating under the EU tire labelling scheme, with ‘A’s for rolling resistance, wet braking and exterior noise, added Continental’s 31 July release.

Accounting for “up to 32%” of the UltraContact NXT, the renewable materials include resins based on residual materials from the paper and wood industries and silicate from the ash of rice husks.

Recycled-materials-content stands, rated at “up to 5%”, 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 fibre material from recycled PET bottles.

The new tire is also said to use up to 28% 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% renewable and recycled content in its tires, towards a target of employing 100% sustainable materials in all its tire products by 2050.

Continental said it “will gradually introduce the UltraContact NXT in Europe [with] 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. “