In a significant shift towards greener manufacturing, the tyre maker Continental is turning to everyday waste products, from used cooking oil to old tyres, to build its new-generation tyres. The company has confirmed that nearly a third of the materials in its tyres now come from renewable or recycled sources, a figure set to grow steadily in the coming years.
Jorge Almeida, who leads Sustainability at Continental Tires, says the company is "closing the loop" by embedding circular economy principles into its future roadmap. “We’re finding innovative ways to use more sustainable raw materials,” Almeida explained, pointing to examples like synthetic rubber created from recycled cooking oil.
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The push is crucial because rubber is the heart of any tyre, making up as much as 40% of a modern high-performance tyre's weight. Continental is focusing on sourcing this essential material more responsibly. This includes using natural rubber from certified plantations and synthetic rubber derived from alternative sources. The company is now working with suppliers who use a certified mass balance approach to trace sustainable materials through the complex production chain.
Beyond rubber, the company is incorporating circular resins—which help make the rubber more pliable and improve grip—and greener additives. One such additive, supplied by LANXESS, is now made from bio-circular acetone derived from waste like cooking oil, cutting its carbon footprint by over 30% compared to conventional methods.
Matthias Haufe, Head of Material Development at Continental, emphasises that the mass balance approach is key to tracking this progress across global supply chains. “It allows us to steadily increase the share of sustainable materials and transparently document the gains we make,” Haufe said.
From the school run bakkie to long-haul trucks, the move signals a tangible step towards a more circular future for South Africa's roads.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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