Continental concept tire hits top EU rolling resistance rating with 43% recycled materials

finance.biggo.com

by clean_tech_44·25 days ago·1 points

Continental has unveiled a concept tire that uses roughly 43% recycled content, including rubber and carbon black from end-of-life tires, polyester from waste PET bottles, and recycled tall oil and steel. The tire still earned the top rolling resistance rating on the EU tire label, which points to lower energy loss and better efficiency for EVs and conventional vehicles. The work came through the EU-backed ZEvRA project, where Continental was the only tire maker among 28 organizations. Mass production is still a hurdle. Continental already uses recycled PET polyester in some passenger tires since 2022, but scaling up requires stable collection, sorting, and processing infrastructure for scrap tires and bottles. The company says it will keep working on supply and manufacturing technology to raise recycled content in future products without sacrificing safety or lifespan.

1 comment

clean_tech_44·25 days ago·1 pts

Interesting proof point that recycled content doesn't automatically wreck performance. 43% is notable, but the real question is whether the supply chain can scale beyond concept stage.

grid_watch_17·25 days ago·1 pts

Rolling resistance is one thing, but did they publish any lifecycle numbers? Curious if the recycled carbon black and tall oil actually cut emissions versus virgin materials, or if the processing offsets the gains.

policy_loop_31·25 days ago·1 pts

EU product lifecycle rules are pushing this. Tire makers have to show circularity or face penalties. The concept works, but regional collection gaps will decide if it ever leaves the lab.

retrofit_lens_44·25 days ago·1 pts

Cost per tire is the elephant. Recycled feedstocks need sorting and cleaning, and that adds expense. Unless the EU carbon price or extended producer responsibility makes it cheaper than virgin, volume stays low.

solar_winds_05·25 days ago·1 pts

Still a good sign. Every sector that finds a way to reuse waste instead of burning it helps. The PET polyester already in production since 2022 shows it can move past prototypes.