Global tyre manufacturer Continental is stepping up its commitment to sustainability, integrating more renewable and recycled materials into its tyre production processes and earning top global recognition for its efforts.
In 2024, Continental tyres were made with an average of 26% renewable or recycled materials—a figure the company expects to increase by two to three percentage points in 2025. The boost is attributed to the expanded use of sustainable alternatives such as synthetic rubber sourced from renewable or circular oil, recycled PET polyester, recycled steel, and innovative fillers like silica derived from rice husk ash.
Aiming for Over 40% Sustainable Content by 2030
“We are systematically increasing the share of renewable and recycled materials in our raw material portfolio. In five years, we aim to surpass the 40 percent mark,” said Jorge Almeida, Head of Sustainability at Continental Tires.
Almeida emphasised that all materials undergo extensive safety and performance testing before integration. “To achieve sustainable mobility, we are constantly searching for even more environmentally friendly materials. Our improvements in sustainability never come at the cost of safety or performance.”
Platinum Rating for Sustainability
Continental’s efforts have earned it a prestigious platinum rating from EcoVadis, a leading global sustainability ratings provider. Scoring 84 out of 100, the company is now in the top 1% of all tyre and supplier companies assessed. The platinum medal represents a 10-point improvement from its 2023 score and reflects strong performance in areas such as labour and human rights, sustainable procurement, ethics, and environmental practices.
“This year’s platinum rating reflects our multifaceted commitment to sustainability,” Almeida said. “It shows that sustainability is embedded in all our business processes across the globe and throughout the entire value chain.”
Mass Balance and Global Certification
A key driver behind this transformation is Continental’s adoption of the mass balance approach, which ensures traceability and transparency of sustainable materials in the supply chain. This approach allows certified and non-certified materials to be physically mixed but recorded separately, enabling Continental to track the exact volume of renewable or recycled inputs used.
The process has been certified by ISCC Plus, and several of Continental’s tyre plants—including those in Lousado, Hefei, Puchov, and Korbach—have obtained international sustainability certification.
Natural Rubber, Recycled PET, and Sustainable Steel
Continental continues to prioritise sustainable sourcing of natural rubber, combining local involvement, digital tools, and risk mapping to support ethical rubber cultivation. The company also uses recycled polyester derived from PET bottles through its proprietary ContiRe.Tex technology, which requires no intermediate chemical steps.
In addition, Continental is replacing conventional steel with recycled alternatives and incorporating silica made from rice husk ash, a by-product of rice farming. This not only improves performance traits like grip and durability but also reduces the reliance on resource-intensive quartz sand.
Eco-Friendly Coatings and Additives
Since 2019, Continental has been using COKOON, its proprietary textile coating that eliminates the need for environmentally harmful bonding agents like formaldehyde and resorcinol. Additives used during vulcanization are also being reformulated with renewable or recycled materials to maintain tyre integrity under heat and stress.
Innovation Driving the Future
As part of its long-term vision, Continental is advancing sustainable solutions across the entire tyre lifecycle—from material sourcing to end-of-life recycling. “We have developed a comprehensive portfolio of diverse, more sustainable materials and are continuously integrating them into all our products,” Almeida added.
With a clear roadmap, strong R&D, and global certifications, Continental continues to lead the way in building a more sustainable future for the tyre industry—without compromising on safety or performance.
