Innovation knows no bounds. The latest example is continental’s idea to reuse cooking oil in the creation of their tyres.
Known as one of the leaders in the global tyre market, the German tyre manufacturer is continuing its journey towards carbon neutrality. Following in the footsteps of recycled polyester and natural rubber, Continental is making further progress, this time using used cooking oil to produce rubber. By 2024
almost 26% of the raw materials used by the company were renewable or recycled. The objective is clear: to reach 40% by 2030 and aim for 100% sustainable materials by 2050.
How does it work?
After being harvested and treated, the cooking oil is processed to obtain a raw material that can replace synthetic rubber. A tyre is made up of two types of rubber: natural rubber, which is extremely resistant to wear, and synthetic rubber, which has superior braking and rolling resistance characteristics. By replacing part of the latter, Continental limits the use of fossil resources while guaranteeing identical performance and lifespan according to its own tests.
A market where innovation makes the difference
Faced with competitors such as Bridgestone, Michelin and Goodyear, Continental is banking on its lead in sustainable tyres to stand out from the crowd. In a sector where the reduction of emissions and the circularity of materials are becoming major criteria, the German firm is establishing itself as a major player. It remains to be seen whether this innovation will catch on on a large scale and pave the way for other similar initiatives.
