Continental has agreed on a long-term deal with Pyrum Innovation, a specialist in the thermolysis technology of end-of-life tyres, to buy high-quality carbon black made from end-of-life tyres. The car parts giant plans to use the material in its passenger car tyres.

The two companies have been working together since 2022 to develop ways to recycle end-of-life tyres through pyrolysis. Carbon black is a key ingredient in tyre production, and by using recycled material, Continental aims to cut its use of fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions.

 “Recycled raw materials are becoming increasingly important in our tyre production. To further increase the circularity of our products, we need to think differently. We need to move from an “end-of-life” to an “end-of-use” tyre concept. This means that the end of a tyre’s intended use phase must become the beginning of a new opportunity. Together with Pyrum, we are developing highly efficient processes to recycle as many components and materials as possible from an end-of-use tyre back into our production cycle,” says Jorge Almeida, Head of Sustainability Continental Tyres.

The company is targeting more than 40 percent recycled and renewable materials in its tyres by 2030. Continental already uses recycled rubber, steel, and polyester from plastic bottles in its tyres. 

“The expansion of our cooperation with Continental is a very important step for us,” says Pascal Klein, CEO Pyrum Innovations. He adds: “To ensure that Continental can also use our recovered carbon black in the series production of passenger tyres in the future, we are continuously working on its further development as part of a development partnership. Together, we have already succeeded in ensuring that all newly produced forklift tyres at the Continental tyre plant in Korbach, Hesse, contain our sustainable carbon black.”

The firm says safety is its top priority, and it is developing advanced technologies to recycle tyres without compromising quality. 

Continental’s ultimate goal is to make tyres entirely from sustainable materials by 2050.

Japanese tyre major The Yokohama Rubber Co is supplying 507U rib-lug tyres for low-floor buses to Isuzu Motors for use as OE fitment in the Erga EV, a BEV (battery electric vehicle) flat-floor route bus, which was launched in May 2024.

The 507U tyre sports Yokohama Rubber’s proprietary ‘E+’ mark to indicate that it has special qualities suitable for electrified vehicles. The Erga EV is being equipped with 275/70R22.5 148/145J size tyres.

The tyre maker claims that the 507U provides enhanced durability and wear resistance when used on low-floor buses and increased ability to be retread will enhance its appeal for use on e-buses. In addition, it is said to provide high fuel efficiency and has quiet performance, along with superior wet braking performance at high levels.

Designed specifically for electric vehicles the tyres provide strength to withstand higher loads usually associated with heavy electric batteries and the electric motor’s high torque output. It also has to support the quietness that complements the lack of noise from the vehicle’s engine, all the while being energy efficient.

The Erga EV is the first BEV flat-floor route bus developed by Isuzu, which comes with a layout flexibility that allows for the elimination of steps at the rear of the bus, creating a fully flat-floor interior.

Apollo Tyres Ltd has secured a one-season shirt-sleeve sponsorship agreement with AS Monaco, one of French football's most successful clubs, to increase awareness for its premium Vredestein brand.

This partnership will leverage Ligue 1's ranking as the fifth most watched football league in the world to raise awareness of Vredestein's award-winning products among a large audience in France and abroad. On November 22, AS Monaco's home league game against Brest will have the new sleeve branding for the first time. The Vredestein brand will be heavily promoted at Stade Louis-II for the 2024–2025 season, including on player sleeves and LED screens around the field. Exclusive social media initiatives will further help make the brand prominent, reaching a large and interested audience.

Yves Pouliquen, Vice President – Commercial, Europe, Apollo Tyres, said, “This partnership is an exciting opportunity to strengthen Vredestein’s presence in one of our key markets. AS Monaco’s rich history and commitment to excellence mirror our focus on performance and innovation. We look forward to building a successful relationship with the club and celebrating its achievements this season.”

Thibaut Chatelard, Marketing and Revenue Director, AS Monaco, said: “We are delighted to welcome Apollo Tyres and its Vredestein brand to the family of AS Monaco partners. This collaboration makes sense in view of the values we share, such as the constant pursuit of performance and excellence. There’s no doubt that this new support will be precious for the rest of our season, which promises to be thrilling.”

Nexen Tire, a leading global tyre manufacturer, has launched the Nexen N´Blue S tyre, adding to its range of summer tyres and providing drivers with advanced safety, energy efficiency and superior driving stability in wet and dry conditions.

Developed using highly dispersed silica and equipped with an optimised structural design, the Nexen N´Blue S tyre provides reduced road noise and improved driving stability. The tyre features an innovative tread compound, formulated with hydrophilic fillers and microstructure-controlled polymers, and provides lower rolling resistance and exceptional dry and wet grip. The tyre also excelled in test results by demonstrating an 11 percent improvement in wet braking distance compared to its predecessor.

Apart from providing excellent performance, the Nexen  N´Blue S also scores high on the sustainability index. The tyre provides an eco-friendly solution for environmentally conscious drivers by minimising fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The Nexen N´Blue S summer tyre is available in 58 sizes, which makes it compatible with different types of vehicles.

Kumho Tire Vietnam Co., Ltd. is all set to expand its investment project in Binh Duong province of Vietnam, with the phase 3 of expansion commencing in early 2025. This was discussed at a recent meeting between Vo Van Minh, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC), and Kim Hyun Ho, General Director of Kumho Tire Vietnam Co., Ltd.

The meeting was held on 13 November at the Administrative Centre of Binh Duong province, as per an official statement. Apart from the company’s investment till date and the planned investment for phase 3, the two also discussed about the challenges and obstacles regarding procedures and processes to have more land funds to expand the manufacturing plant, along with taking measures to tackle the obstacles. Kim Hyun Ho also conveyed to the PPC Chairman that Kumho Tire Vietnam Co., Ltd. belongs to South Korea's Kumho Tire Group and is currently ranked 10th in the car tyre manufacturing industry.

The company had invested in a tyre manufacturing plant in My Phuoc 3 Industrial Park in 2007 with a total initial investment of USD 308 million, which was supplemented by another USD 300 million in 2021. This extended the factory scale to six hectares and increased the production capacity to 12.5 million tyres annually. With the expansion in early 2025, the company will raise its total investment to USD 908 million and increase the factory's production capacity to 17 million tyres annually. The expanded capacity is expected to be operational by early 2026.