Continental Eco-Friendly Tire: Renewable Tread Technology

Continental's Sustainable Tire Innovation: The Conti GreenConcept

Numerous initiatives are focused on minimizing the ecological footprint of automobiles. However, the tires themselves often receive less attention. Continental is actively addressing this, proposing a potential solution with its innovative Conti GreenConcept tire.

Revolutionary Material Composition

Roadshow details that this concept tire incorporates materials where over 50% are demonstrably “traceable, renewable, and recycled.” A key feature is the ability to easily replenish the natural rubber tread.

While tread renewal isn't entirely novel, it has historically been limited to heavy-duty commercial vehicles. Continental’s approach envisions three tread renewals effectively halving the material required for the tire casing over its lifespan.

Renewable and Recycled Components

Approximately 35% of the tire’s composition utilizes renewable resources. These include rubber derived from dandelions, silicate sourced from rice husk ash, and a variety of vegetable oils and resins.

Furthermore, an additional 17% is comprised of recycled materials. This includes polyester yarn created from recycled PET bottles, reclaimed steel, and recovered carbon black.

Enhanced Vehicle Efficiency

Continental asserts that the tire’s design also contributes to improved vehicle efficiency. The GreenConcept’s new casing, sidewall, and tread patterns result in a tire approximately 40% lighter than conventional tires, weighing around 16.5lbs.

This weight reduction translates to a 25% decrease in rolling resistance compared to the highest-performing tires currently available in the EU. Continental projects this could increase the range of an electric vehicle by as much as six percent.

Future Implementation and Sustainability Goals

Although widespread availability of the exact GreenConcept tire may not be immediate, this project represents more than just theoretical exploration. Continental intends to begin implementing its recycling technologies as early as 2022, starting with tire production utilizing recycled plastic bottles.

These efforts are partially aimed at enhancing Continental’s corporate image. The company aspires to be recognized as the most environmentally responsible tire manufacturer by 2030 and achieve complete carbon neutrality by 2050, at the latest.

This initiative also suggests a broader perspective on eco-friendly vehicles, acknowledging that numerous components, beyond the powertrain, must be considered for a truly sustainable automotive future.

Note: This article was originally published on Engadget.