December 12, 2024 – Continental Takes Bold Steps Towards Sustainable Tire Manufacturing
Continental, a leading tire manufacturer, is accelerating its commitment to sustainability by significantly increasing the use of recycled materials across its factories. This innovative move has led to an average rise of 3% in recycled content across various tire series, with some tires incorporating up to 15 recycled PET bottles, depending on their size. By replacing traditional materials with recycled polyester fabric, Continental not only conserves resources but also reinforces its dedication to environmental protection.
In a pioneering effort, Continental introduced its proprietary ContiRe.Tex technology in late 2021. This groundbreaking technique directly converts hard-to-recycle PET bottles into polyester yarn without any intermediate chemical treatment, while ensuring the yarn can withstand the unique stresses of tire usage. The launch of ContiRe.Tex marked a significant milestone in Continental’s journey towards more sustainable tire manufacturing.
According to the Color Masterbatch Industry Network, Continental’s foray into sustainable materials doesn’t stop there. Since 2022, ContiRe.Tex has been implemented on a smaller scale in tire factories in Portugal and the Czech Republic, gradually expanding to series production in Germany and France. Continental has made it clear that the shift to more sustainable materials is a core component of its tire sustainability strategy, with an ambitious goal of exceeding 40% renewable and recycled material usage by 2030. By that time, all new passenger car and light truck tires will feature high-performance polyester fibers made from sustainable PET.
In a related development, the Fuhai project, a provincial key initiative with a total investment of approximately 6.92 billion yuan, is progressing smoothly. Aimed at producing 1.5 million tons of polyester packaging materials annually, the project is expected to yield 1 million tons of PET bottle flakes and 576,000 tons of functional polyester sheet materials upon full operation. With an estimated annual sales revenue of 10.758 billion yuan and annual profits and taxes of 1.907 billion yuan, the project will also create over 900 job opportunities, delivering substantial economic and social benefits. Currently, major structures such as polyester and sheet material workshops are undergoing rapid installation, with 80% of the total project expected to be completed by the end of the year. The project is slated for gradual commissioning in July 2025. By then, Fuhai will lead the province in establishing a full “refining-aromatics-polyester” industry chain, setting a new benchmark for sustainable development in the chemical industry.
These initiatives by Continental and the Fuhai project not only demonstrate the companies’ proactive approach to environmental protection and sustainability but also set a commendable example for the entire industry. As these projects gradually come to fruition, there is reason to believe that the chemical industry will place even greater emphasis on sustainability, contributing further to the realization of a green, low-carbon, and circular economic system.