Continental has added recovered carbon black to its newly manufactured Super Elastic solid tires at the company’s Korbach-based tire facility in Germany, to reduce the use of fossil raw materials and simultaneously cut CO2 emissions.
The recovered carbon black is supplied by Pyrum Innovations – a Continental partner company – and is obtained by breaking down end-of-life tires (ELTs) in industrial furnaces using a pyrolysis process.
Continental’s SC20+ already contains approximately 60% renewable and recycled materials. By 2050 the tire maker seeks to use 100% sustainable materials in its tire products.
“Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the specialty tire segment. Our Super Elastic solid tires combine low rolling resistance, long service life and a comparatively high proportion of sustainable materials,” said Matthias-Stephan Müller, product manager for material handling tires in Continental’s Specialty Tires business area.
The targeted use of the carbon black in rubber compounds can enhance the stability, strength and durability of tires. Further down the line, Continental aims to use the rCB within additional rubber compounds. Continental and Pyrum are currently collaborating to optimize and expand the recycling of ELTs using pyrolysis.
“In Pyrum, we have found a partner that has developed a particularly efficient pyrolysis process. Together, we want to further develop the process for the pyrolysis of end-of-life tires,” explained Matthias Haufe, head of material development and industrialization at Continental Tires.
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