Continental is intensifying its efforts towards achieving a circular economy. Recently, the tyre manufacturer incorporated recovered carbon black (rCB) into its newly manufactured Super Elastic solid tyres at the Korbach plant in Germany. This strategic move reduces dependence on fossil raw materials and minimizes CO2 emissions. Notably, Continental's solid tyres, like the SC20+, already use an impressive composition of approximately 60 percent renewable and recycled materials, owing to their high natural rubber content. The company targets to use 100 percent sustainable materials in its tyre production by 2050.

The recovered carbon black is sourced from Pyrum Innovations, a partner of Continental. Pyrum employs a specialized pyrolysis process to break down end-of-life tyres in industrial furnaces, enabling the retrieval and recycling of valuable raw materials. 

Müller explains: “Our customers want to make their operating processes even more environmentally friendly, resource-saving and efficient. Forklift trucks, for example, are required to do more work in the shortest possible time. This means moving heavier loads and traveling further distances at higher speeds. This is where Continental comes in with its customized tyre solutions.”

Intralogistics predominantly feature electrically powered forklift trucks, emphasizing the significance of battery range and charging times. Tyres with low rolling resistance play a pivotal role in reducing energy consumption and enhancing the operational range of electric forklifts. The formulation of the rubber compound holds vital importance in achieving high energy efficiency and minimizing rolling resistance. This conserves valuable natural resources and decreases energy consumption in specialized vehicle operations. 

“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 tyres,” explains Matthias Haufe, Head of Material Development and Industrialization at Continental Tyres. In the future, the recovered carbon black will also be used in other Continental compounds. Jointly with Pyrum, the tyre manufacturer is currently working on further optimizing and expanding the recycling of end-of-life tyres using pyrolysis.

The utilization of recovered carbon black derived from end-of-life tyres, facilitated by an efficient pyrolysis process, marks a significant stride towards more sustainable practices in Continental's tyre production. The company maintains an unwavering commitment to advancing innovative technologies and sustainable offerings across its entyre value chain, from the responsible sourcing of materials to the recycling of end-of-life tyres. Continental's ambitious goal is to achieve complete carbon neutrality across its value chain by 2050 at the latest.

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Kraton Corporation, a leading global producer of speciality polymers and high-value bio-based chemicals derived from pine wood pulping co-products, a global price increase for all polymer products with effect from 1 April 2026. The price hike will range from USD 440 per MT to USD 700 per MT, or as individual contract terms permit, with the exact price change varying according to the polymer type and production location.

The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

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German specialty chemicals company LANXESS has announced a global price increase for its portfolio of functional additives for the manufacture of tyres and speciality rubbers. These changes, which are set to take effect immediately or as soon as individual contract terms permit, will see prices rise by 15 to 50 percent.

The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing geopolitical conflict, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

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Orion S.A., a global speciality chemicals company, has announced a global price increase for its portfolio of speciality carbon black. These changes, which are set to take effect immediately or as soon as individual contract terms permit, will see prices rise by up to 25 percent.

In a strategic move to address persistent market volatility, the company is also implementing a variable surcharge on top of the base price increase. The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

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German chemical group WACKER has announced a price hike across its global polymers portfolio, responding directly to significant upheavals in international commodity markets triggered by the recent military conflict in the Middle East. This geopolitical instability has created pronounced distortions throughout the supply chain, leading to a sharp escalation in the costs of essential inputs. The company is experiencing substantially higher prices for crude oil and natural gas as well as for various other raw materials and logistics services.

To address this challenging economic landscape and offset the considerable burden of increased raw material and transportation expenses, the chemical group is implementing price adjustments effective 1 April 2026. The updated pricing will apply to several key product categories, specifically including polymer dispersions, a variety of resins and dispersible polymer powders. This strategic move is essential for the company to maintain operational stability and continue delivering its products reliably amidst the volatile market conditions.

The final scale of these price increases is not a fixed, across-the-board figure but will be determined by specific variables. It will largely depend on the original source of the product, with goods manufactured at the company’s European and Asian production sites being most affected. Furthermore, the terms outlined in existing customer contracts will also play a crucial role in defining the exact extent of the adjustment, ensuring a tailored approach to the implementation of this necessary price correction.

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