Sustainability meets quality: new car tyre sets standards

Sustainability or quality? This is the question manufacturers of plastic or rubber goods ask themselves when it comes to the use of recycled or bio-based materials, for example. Continental proves that the two can go hand in hand with its new UltraContact NXT series tyre. It consists largely of sustainable materials and impresses with high performance values.

In an interview with K-MAG, Kristina Kumme talks about the environmentally friendly composition of the new tyre, its performance and Continental's ambitious sustainability goals.

You presented a new tyre in mid-June with the UltraContact NXT. What is so special about it?

Kristina Kumme: The UltraContact NXT is the most sustainable tyre that has been produced in series so far. It has a total of up to 65% recycled, renewable and ISCC PLUS mass balance certified materials:

Up to 37% of the materials are recycled or renewable. More specifically, the tyre consists of up to 5% recycled materials, namely recycled steel, recycled rubber and polyester from recycled plastic bottles that do not come from closed-loop recycling. 32% come from renewable materials. In addition to natural rubber, the tyre contains, for example, silicate from the ashes of rice husks and bio-resins. These include, for example, resins based on residues from the paper and wood industries. The resins used in tyres make tyre compounds flexible and thus improve the material's adhesion.

In addition, we have used up to 28% ISCC PLUS mass balance approach certified materials from bio-based, bio-cyclable and circular raw materials for the tyres.

What other features distinguish the tyre?

Kumme: With the UltraContact NXT, we have not only significantly increased the proportion of recycled and renewable materials, but also improved the performance values: all sizes of the UltraContact NXT receive a Triple A rating in the EU tyre label and thus the best value for rolling resistance, wet braking and rolling noise.

Triple A means that the UltraContact NXT has been rated A - the best grade on the scale - in all categories tested for the EU Tyre Label. The EU tyre label allows buyers to evaluate individual properties of tyre models and compare them with regard to the three criteria of rolling resistance, wet braking properties and external noise. Testing by the EU label is the prerequisite in Europe for placing a tyre on the market.

The good values in terms of rolling resistance, wet braking and rolling noise also improve its sustainability in the use phase: the low rolling resistance also reduces the CO2 emissions of a combustion vehicle and increases the range of electric vehicles.

What is the challenge in using recyclates or alternative raw materials for tyre production?

Kumme: On the one hand, to obtain the materials in sufficient quantities from our suppliers and, on the other hand, to match the performance characteristics of the tyre at the same level or, for the UltraContact NXT, even at an even higher level. Intensive preparatory work was necessary for this, which already started in 2021 and was shown in the GreenConcept at the IAA 2021. We managed this on the one hand through close cooperation with our suppliers and through intensive exchange between all the specialist disciplines involved, from material experts to purchasing.

When and for which vehicle types will the tyre be available?

Kumme: The UltraContact NXT is now available at tyre retailers across Europe and has been developed for both electric and combustion engines. It will be available for several popular vehicles such as the Kia Niro, VW ID.3, Mercedes-Benz EQA, Tesla Model 3, Audi Q4 E-TRON, Skoda Octavia, VW Golf 8, Audi A3 and many more.

What are your goals in terms of sustainability? And to what extent have you come closer to these with the development of the UltraContact NXT?

Kumme: By 2030, we are aiming for a share of over 40% of renewable and recycled materials in our tyres. By 2050 at the latest, all of our new tyres will be made of 100% sustainable materials. The UltraContact NXT is an important step towards achieving our sustainability goals and becoming the most advanced tyre manufacturer.