Hanover, Germany – March 11, 2025 – Continental Tires has once again demonstrated its commitment to sustainability and innovation, captivating the automotive and tyre industries with its four expert-led presentations at the prestigious Tire Technology Expo held from March 4 to 6, 2025, in Hanover, Germany. The conference, a key platform for showcasing cutting-edge developments in tyre technologies, brought together industry leaders to discuss critical advances and the future of sustainable solutions in the tyre sector.
Pioneering Sustainability in the Tyre Industry
Opening the conference, Jorge Almeida, Head of Sustainability at Continental Tires, and Prof. Burkhard Wies, Head of Applied Research and Innovation, set the tone with an insightful presentation on the company’s sustainability strategy. Continental has long been at the forefront of reducing the environmental impact of tyres, with a particular focus on the tyre’s use phase – a key area where environmental footprint reduction is most achievable. As Prof. Wies remarked, “Continental is pursuing eager sustainability ambitions. But in the rapidly evolving tyre industry, we also know that certain overarching issues can only be solved collectively.” He emphasised the importance of cross-divisional collaboration and the pooling of expertise to develop solutions that will benefit the industry as a whole.
Continental’s tireless pursuit of sustainability also extends to collaborative projects and the integration of scientific research into its approach. The company’s participation in the Tire Technology Expo was an ideal opportunity to present its latest innovations, all aimed at advancing sustainable practices while addressing pressing industry challenges.
Unlocking Insights into Tyre Wear Particles
One of the highlights of Continental’s presentations focused on the critical issue of tyre wear particles – a subject that has garnered increasing attention due to its environmental impact. Continental’s collaboration with the Technical University of Braunschweig resulted in the development of a pioneering study aimed at understanding tyre wear particles under real-world conditions.
Dr. Benjamin Oelze, Group Leader for Test Method Development at Continental Tires, shared the findings of this research project, which was funded by the German Ministry of Science and Culture. The study, titled “Online Analysis of Airborne Tire Wear Particles During their Formation and Differentiation from Particles of Other Origins” (OLRAP), introduced an innovative method for quantifying tyre wear particles as they form during driving. This project lays the groundwork for developing strategies to reduce tyre-related emissions, offering a pathway for more sustainable tyres.
A Leap Forward in Energy Efficiency with Innovative Testing
Continental also unveiled an innovative approach to reducing energy loss in tyres, a crucial factor in both fuel efficiency and carbon emission reduction. Prof. Jorge Lacayo-Pineda, an expert in evaluating new materials, presented a cutting-edge rebound testing device that measures hysteresis losses in rubber samples with incredible precision. By assessing how rubber behaves during contact with the road, this technology helps reduce rolling resistance and improve fuel efficiency. Tyres with higher rebound resilience lose less energy as heat, resulting in improved overall efficiency.
COKOON: A Groundbreaking Eco-Friendly Adhesion Technology
Another major highlight of Continental’s participation in the Expo was the introduction of COKOON, a revolutionary adhesion technology that eliminates the need for harmful chemicals in the bonding process of textile reinforcing materials. Developed in collaboration with Kordsa, a global supplier of textile reinforcements, COKOON offers a cleaner, more sustainable solution for tyre manufacturing. The technology allows textile materials to bond with rubber compounds without using resorcinol or formaldehyde, substances typically used in conventional adhesion systems.
Dr. Cornelia Schmaunz-Hirsch of Continental and Dr. Yasin Sen of Kordsa presented this environmentally friendly innovation, which they have made available as a cost-free, open-source solution for tyre manufacturers. By enabling the entire industry to access this technology, Continental and Kordsa are driving collective progress in sustainable tyre production.
Continental’s Vision for a Sustainable Future
The projects showcased at the Tire Technology Expo underscore Continental Tires’ ongoing commitment to reducing the environmental impact of tyres through innovation. These initiatives are aligned with the company’s ambitious goal to achieve carbon-neutral production across all its tyre plants by 2040.
In addition to these groundbreaking technological advances, Continental continues to lead industry discussions on sustainability through its participation in global events like the Tire Technology Expo. This year’s conference, which also featured a comprehensive specialist conference on tyre design and manufacturing processes, highlighted the importance of industry collaboration in overcoming sustainability challenges.
Continental Tires is at the forefront of advancing sustainable practices in the tyre industry, and the innovations presented at the 2025 Tire Technology Expo are a testament to its leadership in this field. By combining scientific research with practical, environmentally conscious solutions, Continental is paving the way for a greener, more efficient future in the tyre industry. Through initiatives like the OLRAP study, energy-efficient testing methods, and the COKOON bonding technology, Continental is not only shaping the future of tyre technology but also helping to create a more sustainable and eco-friendly world for generations to come.
