In 2024, Continental introduced two more Generation 5 tyre models and expanded the use of the comprehensive ContiLifeCycle concept. The Conti Urban HA 5 for urban buses and the new Conti Eco Gen 5 for long-distance and regional transport stand out for their extended lifespan and optimised rolling resistance without limiting the casings' capacity to be recycled.

As part of a cradle-to-grave strategy, parameters including cost-effectiveness and retreading were also taken into account during the tyre development process. Additionally, the tyres' cost-effectiveness supports future-oriented, digital fleet management: another noteworthy aspect of the new tyres is their digitalisation. An RFID chip is included in every Generation 5 tyre. They are a component of the ContiConnect digital tyre management system and may also be factory installed with tyre sensors as an option.

The goal of the all-encompassing ContiLifeCycle strategy is to recycle tyres and increase their lifespan. It is a component of the Conti360° Solutions business area's extensive fleet tyre management system. Fleet operators may improve their company's sustainability performance and reduce the overall running expenses of their vehicles with the aid of ContiLifeCycle. The idea, which addresses new tyres, casing management and retreading, is founded on the ideas of the circular economy.

Hinnerk Kaiser, Head of Product Development EMEA at Continental, said, “One of the standout characteristics of the Conti Eco Gen 5 is the improvement in the casing’s rolling resistance that has been achieved by redeveloping compound and structural elements. The casing is reusable, allowing the tyre to have a second or even a third life. Retreaded tyres will also benefit from the optimised compounds and their improved rolling resistance. We therefore consider ourselves to be the benchmark for total cost of ownership (TCO) and CO2 in the regional segment and a pioneering force in the transition to a more sustainable transport industry. The new tyre has a significant impact on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, and makes it possible for all fleets to make fuel savings.”

Sustainability has also been considered in the design of the Conti Urban HA 5 tyre for urban buses. The tyre is more resilient to hits against curbs and other obstructions thanks to its reinforced sidewall and sturdy substance. Because they are heavier and have more torque than diesel-powered buses, electric buses have special tyre needs. The Conti Urban HA 5's sturdy design and cutting-edge materials meet these particular requirements.

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A new partnership between Pirelli and Aston Martin will integrate Pirelli's pioneering Cyber Tyre technology into the British ultra-luxury brand's future vehicles. This system represents a significant technological advancement as the first of its kind capable of gathering real-time data from sensors embedded directly within the tyre's tread. These sensors feed information to Pirelli's proprietary software and algorithms, which then communicate seamlessly with the vehicle's electronic architecture.

This integration, developed in cooperation with Bosch Engineering, allows the car's main dynamic control systems, including ESP, ABS and traction control, to receive and utilise a comprehensive set of precise tyre data that was previously unavailable. By processing this information, an electronic control unit can optimise the vehicle's dynamics, enhancing both performance and safety. The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to innovation in the ultra-luxury performance sector. The adoption of the Cyber Tyre system marks a notable step forward in Aston Martin's pursuit of class-leading capabilities, leveraging detailed, real-time insights to refine the driving experience.

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The latest data from the German rubber industry highlights severe challenges at the domestic location are compelling companies to fulfil local demand primarily through their foreign production facilities, according to the German Rubber Industry Association (wdk).

A recent business climate index indicates a slight improvement in industry sentiment for the second half of 2025. However, wdk President Michael Klein sharply contradicts this optimism, stating that the data reveals a far grimmer reality. He emphasises that critical performance indicators – including revenue, sales, employment and production – are all showing deeply negative results for the domestic market, underscoring a troubling exodus of manufacturing from its core German base.

Klein has acknowledged the federal government's pledge to launch an ‘autumn of reforms’ as a positive signal. Nevertheless, he insists these measures must urgently deliver tangible relief and cost reductions for industrial companies of all sizes. He argues that what is needed most is a decisive and rapid approach to the promised reduction in bureaucracy, stressing that only verifiable results, not further promises, will count towards improving the competitiveness of the German industrial location.

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Chinese tyre manufacturer Sailun Group has begun construction on a new USD-1-billion tyre facility in Egypt. The plant is situated within the Sokhna integrated industrial zone, part of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE). This investment, one of the largest Chinese industrial projects in Egypt, was officially launched at a ceremony attended by SCZONE General Authority Chairperson Walid Gamal El-Din.

The expansive 350,000-square-metre factory will be developed in three phases over a three-year period. The initial phase is scheduled to become operational in 2026, with a planned production capacity of three million passenger car tyres and 600,000 truck and bus tyres annually. This first stage is expected to generate 1,500 new jobs. Upon full completion, the facility's total output is projected to surpass ten million tyres each year.

As a global leader in tyre manufacturing with an extensive international sales network, Sailun Group will utilise this new factory as a strategic hub. The facility is designed to meet rising demand within the local Egyptian market while also creating substantial opportunities for export to regional and international markets.

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With the rise of electric vehicles reducing exhaust emissions, attention is shifting to non-exhaust emission like Tyre and Road Wear Particles (TRWP). These microscopic particles, generated from tyre and road surface friction, are a growing environmental concern and will be addressed in the upcoming Euro 7 emissions standard. To tackle this challenge, Nynas has joined a major research consortium coordinated by the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), alongside Volvo Cars, Scania and the Karolinska Institute.

The project aims to close a significant scientific knowledge gap by thoroughly investigating the formation, characteristics and environmental impact of TRWP. Nynas contributes a unique dual perspective to this interdisciplinary effort, bringing deep expertise in both tyre rubber compounds and bitumen-based road materials. Pär Nyman, Technical Manager – Tyre & Chemical Industries, Nynas, represents the company in the project alongside the company’s Chief Scientist, Dr Xiaohu Lu, who brings extensive expertise in bitumen and asphalt to the collaboration. A key focus will be understanding how different materials contribute to wear mechanisms.

The research scope extends beyond particle analysis to include measuring the rolling resistance of various tyre and bitumen combinations, a parameter directly linked to vehicle energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions. By uniting industry and academia, this collaboration is poised to drive innovation and set new benchmarks in sustainable mobility research.

Pär Nyman, Technical Manager – Tyre & Chemical Industries, Nynas, said, “While Sweden lacks domestic tyre manufacturers, Nynas' research capabilities fill that gap by providing foundational insight into the chemistry and physics behind TRWP generation. Nynas' rubber and asphalt labs are at the heart of this contribution. One of the core insights driving this initiative is that wear particles cannot be fully understood by analysing tyres or roads in isolation. It's the interaction – the system – that matters. By studying both tyre composition and road structure, the project aims to develop a holistic view of TRWP formation, dispersion and toxicity. At Nynas, we are excited to contribute our unique knowledge of materials to help solve an important challenge for both the environment and human health. Through collaboration and scientific inquiry, we aim to pave the way for cleaner roads and cleaner air – one particle at a time.”

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