Continental has achieved a key objective within its global sustainability framework by permanently eliminating the use of coal and heavy fuel oil at all of its tyre manufacturing sites. Effective January 2026, all facilities have transitioned to alternative energy solutions for producing the steam essential to tyre production and facility heating. This new energy landscape incorporates biomass, biogas, renewably sourced electricity and supplemental fuels like liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas to maintain a consistent and reliable energy supply.

In the early part of the last decade, more than a third of Continental’s global tyre plants depended on coal and heavy oil to meet their thermal needs. This reliance was largely due to the necessity for stable heat output and dependable operations, particularly in regions lacking robust gas or electrical grids. Today, through sustained, strategic investment, every Continental tyre plant operates on a customised blend of these cleaner energy carriers.

A substantial portion of energy in tyre manufacturing is dedicated to thermal processes, most notably vulcanisation, which imparts the essential elastic characteristics to rubber. While steam for this purpose has traditionally been generated from fossil fuels, emerging electric technologies are now enabling a more adaptable and energy-efficient approach.

Beyond thermal energy, Continental has secured its electricity from renewable sources since 2020 and is actively increasing its onsite generation capabilities. This comprehensive strategy yielded significant results in 2025, with the greenhouse gas intensity of its manufacturing dropping by over 10 percent from the prior year and approximately 70 percent from the 2019 baseline. The decisive move away from high-emission energy carriers has alone resulted in a reduction of roughly 180,000 metric tonnes of CO₂ from tyre production over the last four years.

The specific composition of energy sources at Continental’s various locations is inherently diverse, reflecting local infrastructure, resource availability and market conditions. However, a universal principle applies: a definitive pledge to abandon coal and embrace sources with a diminished carbon footprint. The plant in Gqeberha, South Africa, which once relied on coal for steam, now primarily utilises biomass, with LPG addressing its remaining needs. A parallel evolution occurred at the Kalutara facility in Sri Lanka, where the introduction of a second biomass boiler last year completed the phase-out of heavy oil, allowing all steam to be generated from renewable biomass. In Otrokovice, Czech Republic, Continental collaborated with its local energy provider to realign steam production with its climate ambitions. This partnership led to a gradual conversion of the power plant’s fuel base from coal to biomass and natural gas, now supplying the tyre plant with steam that is predominantly biomass-generated, a shift that also benefits the wider community through cleaner district heating.

The comprehensive switch to alternative energy sources for steam generation is a tangible manifestation of Continental’s broader dedication to sustainability. The company persists in enhancing energy efficiency and amplifying its reliance on renewables throughout production. These concrete actions and transparent reporting have garnered external acknowledgment, evidenced by an A- rating from the CDP in 2025 for climate leadership and emissions reduction.

Dr Bernhard Trilken, head of Manufacturing and Logistics at Continental Tires, said, “For us, coal and heavy fuel oil are a thing of the past. The future increasingly lies in renewable energies. By relying on a smart mix of energy sources – increasingly renewable and ideally generated directly on site – we are making our manufacturing more independent and therefore more resilient.”

Henning Mühlenstedt, Head of Future Technologies and Sustainable Infrastructure, Continental Tires, said, “We have significantly reduced our production-related CO₂ emissions, thanks to continuous investments in electrification and changing the energy sources used for heat generation at our plants worldwide.”

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Bridgestone's e-CENTRE Excellence Programme has delivered a significant financial boost to two community organisations in South London, with nearly GBP 1,000 raised through a charity initiative run by Merityre Southfields, a flagship Bridgestone e-CENTRE. The campaign generated a total of GBP 938, which was evenly distributed between St Michael's Church Social Projects and the Friends of Wimbledon Park, both of which are vital to the Wandsworth area.

Over a five-month period spanning November and December 2025, as well as February to April 2026, motorists were given a one-pound donation token with every Bridgestone tyre purchased. Customers were then able to choose which of the two local causes would receive their contribution, resulting in GBP 464 for St Michael's and GBP 474 for the Friends of Wimbledon Park.

The funds allocated to St Michael's Church Social Projects will finance the installation of an additional water tap at its Kitchen Garden Project, located on the Church Memorial Field. Since its establishment in 2020, the garden has expanded into a productive allotment with over 30 raised beds, providing fresh organic produce for community lunches and a weekly food bank. The new tap is expected to reduce watering time for volunteers, enabling them to dedicate more attention to the retired, unemployed, isolated and vulnerable individuals who rely on the project for support, skill development and social connection.

Meanwhile, the Friends of Wimbledon Park will direct its share towards a new seating area in the Waterfall Garden, with any leftover funds supporting tree and bulb planting as well as maintenance materials. This retail-led effort exemplifies a core component of Bridgestone's broader e-CENTRE Excellence Programme, which has allocated over GBP 1 million to encourage retailers to adopt sustainable practices and foster positive social and environmental change within their localities.

Dene Arnold, Director, Merityre, said, “As a business rooted in the local community, we wanted to give our customers the opportunity to support causes that really matter to people in Southfields. We're incredibly grateful to everyone who got behind the campaign and helped us raise such a fantastic amount. Being part of Bridgestone's e-CENTRE network is about much more than providing premium products and services. It's about making a meaningful contribution to the communities we serve and creating a positive impact beyond the garage doors. It's especially rewarding to know exactly where the money is going. Whether it's helping volunteers continue to grow fresh produce for people in need or creating new spaces for the community to enjoy in Wimbledon Park, these are projects that will make a lasting difference locally.”

Gresia Cabrera, Bridgestone's Business Development Manager and project lead for the e-CENTRE programme, said, “Community engagement sits at the heart of the eCentre philosophy, so it's fantastic to see Merityre Southfields bringing that vision to life. The team continues to demonstrate that modern tyre retailers can be a force for good, supporting local people and causes while delivering outstanding service for motorists. Initiatives such as this show that the industry can make a genuine difference and create value far beyond tyres alone. One of the strengths of the e-CENTRE programme is that it empowers retailers to make a meaningful impact in the communities they serve. Seeing these donations translated into practical improvements that will benefit local people for years to come is exactly what the programme is all about.”

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Citira has finalised the acquisition of Malte Månson, a prominent independent Swedish workshop operator specialising in truck and bus maintenance. The integration, which secured all necessary regulatory clearances prior to its closure, officially brings the Swedish firm under Citira’s corporate umbrella. This strategic move effectively merges Citira’s specialised tyre management capabilities with Malte Månson’s comprehensive vehicle servicing offerings.

By combining these complementary strengths, the unified entity now provides Swedish fleet operators with a singular, streamlined contact point for maximising heavy vehicle uptime. Malte Månson, renowned for its continuous round-the-clock support and extensive technical proficiency across entire vehicles from powertrains to auxiliary systems, generated substantial annual revenues of SEK 773 million (approximately USD 81.06 million) in 2025. The group’s newly consolidated service portfolio is poised to deliver enhanced operational efficiency for commercial transport clients nationwide.

David Boman, CEO, Citira, said, "Tyre management and vehicle maintenance solve the same problem for our truck and bus customers: keeping fleets moving. Malte Månson gives us the expertise to offer both under one roof, which is exactly the kind of complete service offering our customers have been asking for.”

Staffan Lindewald, CEO, Malte Månson, said, "Citira felt like the right fit from the start, both as a company that shares our focus on service and respect for the customer relationship, and as one that lets us offer customers combined tyre management and vehicle maintenance for heavy vehicles under one roof. I'm confident our customers will value that.”

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Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing Inc. (TNA) has commemorated the production of its 100 millionth tyre at its White, Georgia, facility, a site that has been operational for more than two decades. The plant has become a crucial hub for delivering premium products and fostering expansion within essential markets while simultaneously bolstering the local area through sustained employment, economic stimulation and ongoing capital investment.

This landmark accomplishment is a testament to the persistent effort and collaborative spirit of the workforce that has established the factory as a pillar of the company’s achievements. Since its inception, the staff has been instrumental in cultivating a workplace ethos centred on excellence, creativity and high performance. The journey from the first tyre in 2005 to the historic June milestone was marked by the involvement of veteran employees David Hughes, Steve Addison and Glen Schulz, all of whom remain with the organisation today.

Patrick Lenz, President and Chief Operating Officer, Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing Inc, said, "Reaching 100 million tyres is an extraordinary milestone, but the true achievement is the people behind it. Today we celebrate 100 million tyres produced, a milestone that demonstrates what can be achieved when talented people work towards a shared goal. Our employees are the foundation of this success, and their dedication has positioned us as a leader in our industry. While we are proud of this achievement, we are even more excited about the future and what we will accomplish together next."

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Continental reported a sharp rise in second-quarter operating profit as improved tyre profitability and cost discipline offset a subdued global market, while the German group moved closer to completing its transformation into a pure-play tyre manufacturer.

The company posted consolidated sales of EURO 4.4 billion for the three months to 30 June, down 9.1 percent from a year earlier, largely reflecting the sale of its Original Equipment Solutions (OESL) business in February. On an organic basis, sales slipped 0.3 percent.

Adjusted earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) rose 35.1 percent to EURO 570 million, lifting the adjusted EBIT margin to 12.9 percent from 9.6 percent a year earlier. Adjusted free cash flow improved to EURO 216 million from negative EURO 46 million in the corresponding period of 2025. Net income, however, fell 45.9 percent to EURO 274 million, mainly because of the spin-off of Aumovio.

In early July, Continental signed an agreement to sell its ContiTech division to Lone Star Funds, marking what it described as the final stage of its strategic realignment. As a result, ContiTech will now be treated as a discontinued operation and excluded from the group's consolidated outlook.

"We continued our positive momentum. In the Tires group sector, we achieved a good earnings margin in the second quarter, exceeding our outlook for 2026. This puts us on track to meet our expectations for the year. In early July, we also signed an agreement to sell ContiTech. Now, we are in the final phase of our realignment as a pure-play tyre manufacturer," said Chief Executive Christian Kötz.

Chief Financial Officer Roland Welzbacher said improved profitability was driven by a greater share of tyres measuring 18 inches and above, lower impacts from exchange rates and tariffs, favourable raw material prices and strict cost discipline. He added that the company expected raw material costs to rise significantly during the second half of the year and had already taken measures to address the increase.

"We significantly increased our profitability and free cash flow. The main drivers for tyres were a higher share of tires measuring 18 inches and above, lower impacts from exchange rates and tariffs, and positive effects from raw-material prices. For the second half of the year, however, we expect raw-material costs to increase substantially and have already taken steps to address this," Welzbacher said.

Continental said market conditions remained challenging during the quarter. The European replacement tyre market for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles grew by 3 percent, supported by imports, while the North American market declined by 1 percent. Global vehicle production also fell by about 1 percent year on year.

The tyres division generated sales of EURO 3.3 billion, broadly unchanged from a year earlier, with organic sales rising 0.3 percent. Its adjusted EBIT margin increased to 15.3 percent from 12.1 percent, supported by a stronger mix of premium tyres, favourable raw material prices and lower impacts from exchange rates and tariffs.

During the quarter, Continental announced several investments aimed at strengthening its tyre operations. These included a company-owned wind farm at its Korbach plant in Germany, a new automated warehouse in Mount Vernon, Illinois, and expanded tyre production capacity at its Rayong plant in Thailand.

Looking ahead, Continental expects continuing operations to generate sales of EURO 13.2 billion to EURO 14.2 billion in 2026, with an adjusted EBIT margin of 12.0 to 13.5 percent.

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