Continental will showcase three new tyres for the bus and truck segment at IAA Transportation 2024, 17-22 September, in Hanover. The premium tyre manufacturer is focusing on efficient and sustainable solutions optimised for electric vehicles.

Visitors to the Continental booth will experience the new Conti EfficientPro 5 truck tyre, which boasts a 10 percent improvement in rolling resistance compared to its predecessor. It offers excellent energy efficiency, is rated with the EU tyre label Class A, and has outstanding braking performance.

Continental will also showcase its most sustainable tyre for city traffic to date: the Conti Urban NXT, which recently entered pilot production. Composed of an extremely high proportion of renewable, recycled, and ISCC PLUS mass balance-certified materials, coming in at 59%, its low rolling resistance makes it a game changer for electrified commercial vehicles.

With the Conti EcoPlus HT3+, Continental will present the latest iteration of its innovative trailer tyre, specifically designed for trailers with an electrified drive axle.

“We are continually making our tyre solutions for commercial vehicles more sustainable and efficient both in terms of materials and on the road,” says Holger Lange, Head of Research and Development for Truck and Bus Tyres at Continental, adding: “The Conti EfficientPro 5 offers excellent energy efficiency, reducing consumption, lowering fleet costs and helping to protect the environment. The Conti Urban NXT is Continental’s most sustainable commercial-vehicle tyre to date.”

Conti EfficientPro 5: A New Benchmark in Efficiency

Continental has drastically cut the rolling resistance of the Conti EfficientPro 5 by 10 percent compared to its predecessor within Class A of the EU tyre label. This significant technological leap will help customers save fuel and further reduce CO2 emissions.

The tyre’s tread’s special rubber compound, combined with its rigid profile, helps reduce rolling resistance, extending mileage by around five percent compared to the predecessor model. The tyre’s profile provides a secure grip and superior tracking. Its especially low external rolling noise level (EU tyre label Class A) means that the Conti EfficientPro 5 is EU Taxonomy-eligible.

“We have improved the rolling resistance of the Conti EfficientPro 5 by a full 10 percent compared with its predecessor within Class A of the EU tyre label. This is a major technological leap that will help our customers save fuel and further reduce CO2 emissions,” says Leo Kolodziej, Head of the Original Equipment Business for Truck Tyres for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at Continental. The experts at Continental have achieved this without making any sacrifices in terms of running and wet braking performance. “This is impressive because very low rolling resistance and very high braking performance are competing aims under the laws of physics,” explains Kolodziej.

The Conti EfficientPro 5 is designed for trucks with both combustion engines as well as hybrid or purely electric drives. It will be commercially available from the start of 2025, initially in the two sizes 315/70 R 22.5 and 385/55 R 22.5. Additional sizes will be added in due course.

Ford, Iveco, Scania, and Volvo, manufacturers of long-haul trucks, will be exhibiting the tyres on their display vehicles at this year’s IAA.

Conti Urban NXT: Boosting Sustainability in City Traffic

According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), one in six new buses exceeding 3.5 tons that were registered in 2023 were partially or fully electrified. Continental is responding to this trend with the Conti Urban NXT – a new original equipment tyre designed for city transport. It combines a high proportion of sustainable materials with exceptional energy efficiency, making it ideal for electrified city buses and delivery vehicles. The pre-production version of the all-season tyre will be on display at IAA Transportation, with a market launch planned for 2025. It will initially be available in the size 275/70 R 22.5.

With up to 59 percent renewable, recycled, and ISCC PLUS mass balance-certified materials, the Conti Urban NXT has a very high share of sustainable materials. Up to 25 percentage points more than the average share of renewable and recycled materials used in Continental’s commercial-vehicle tyres. For the Conti Urban NXT, Continental has allocated up to 24 percent ISCC PLUS mass balance-certified materials, i.e., sustainable synthetic rubber and carbon black from bio-based, bio-circular, and/or circular raw materials. The proportion of recycled materials is three percent. This includes recycled rubber originating from mechanically processed end-of-life tyres as well as recycled steel. The Conti Urban NXT has a sustainable raw materials content of 32 percent, consisting mainly of natural rubber.

The Conti Urban NXT’s rolling resistance has been reduced by 25% versus the comparable Conti Urban HA3 model. This translates into lower CO2 emissions for combustion-engine vehicles and an increased battery range of up to 15 percent for electric vehicles. High-density interlocking sipes ensure a secure grip, superior tracking, and excellent braking performance, both in wet conditions and throughout the tyre's service life. The specially developed rubber compound reduces tyre abrasion and enhances resistance against cuts, cracks, chips, and breakage. The mileage of the Conti Urban NXT is also around 15 percent higher than the predecessor model. Boasting very low external rolling noise, the Conti Urban NXT is an EU Taxonomy-eligible tyre and thus perfectly tailored to the requirements of electric vehicle fleets.

Conti EcoPlus HT3+: Designed for Electric Drive Axles

Another development Continental is set to showcase at this year’s IAA Transportation: the Conti EcoPlus HT3+. This tyre – which is specifically designed for trailers with electrified drive axles – offers exceptionally balanced performance in terms of traction and rolling resistance and an especially high load capacity. The tyre’s features are specifically geared to new-generation trailers featuring fully electric drive axles. Accordingly, the tyre’s load capacity has been increased by 500 kilograms per axle to enable a constant payload despite the higher net weight resulting from the battery. The company had unveiled the prototype back in 2022. Continental is the exclusive development partner for this innovative trailer concept from the company Trailer Dynamics. The aim is to hybridise tractor trucks with battery-powered electric trailers, reducing their fuel consumption and thus their CO2 emissions.

The siping tyre tread profile of the Conti EcoPlus HT3+ has been designed specifically with traction in mind, while an innovative rubber compound provides a balanced combination of grip and mileage. As a result, the tyre ensures maximum safety in all weather conditions. The tyre, which can not only be used on electrified trailer axles but also fitted as an all-round tyre, will initially be available in the sizes 355/50 R 22.5, 385/65 R 22.5, and 385/55 R 22.5. Market launch is scheduled for early 2026.

Continental's new tyre developments presented at IAA Transportation are in keeping with its “Lowest Overall Driving Costs” (LODC) advisory approach. The goal is to provide the transport industry with an effective lever to withstand increasing cost pressure and make its fleets more sustainable.

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This week marks the return of Kumho Tire USA to competitive off-road racing during a premier event in California’s Johnson Valley. Three experienced drivers – Stephen ‘Woody’ Rose Jr, Eric Wikle and Mark Duval – will compete in a challenging contest that blends high-speed desert runs with demanding rock crawling. Their vehicles will be equipped with the company’s LT-rated KUMHO Road Venture MT71 mud-terrain tyre, putting its rugged capabilities to a severe real-world test.

The drivers bring a wealth of proven skill to the race. Stephen ‘Woody’ Rose Jr is a veteran American off-road racer and past champion of this very event. Eric Wikle arrives with a reputation built on podium finishes, showcasing expertise in both technical crawling and desert racing. Rounding out the team is Mark Duval, an accomplished amateur racer and fabricator known for his success in rock crawling and off-road motorcycling.

The tyres supporting them are engineered for extreme conditions, designed to meet the needs of both professional racers and everyday adventurers. Key to their performance is a high-void tread pattern with a specialised zig-zag and dual-pitch design, aimed at delivering maximum off-road traction. Construction features such as increased block stiffness enhance handling both on and off the pavement. Additionally, integrated mud and stone ejector bars help protect the tyre from damage and promote self-cleaning in muddy environments. Through this combination of technologies, the MT71 aims to provide improved durability, off-road grip and confident on-road manners.

Ed Cho, CEO, Kumho Tire USA, said, "We are thrilled to return to off-road racing in the US and showcase our 'Performance Without Compromise' brand motto in action. This month's participation in the California desert event marks the beginning of Kumho Tire's growing involvement in off-road motorsports and reinforces our commitment to high-performing light truck products."

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Apollo Tyres Ltd has introduced its new brand campaign, ‘Har Safar Mein Dum Hai’, with legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar as its guiding presence. The initiative, launched in Apollo’s capacity as the Lead Sponsor of the Indian Cricket Team, also features Team India stalwarts Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill and Arshdeep Singh. Anchored by a poignant brand film, the campaign draws a powerful parallel between the enduring spirit of Indian cricket and the core ethos of Apollo Tyres.

Directed by renowned filmmaker Abhinay Deo and set to the moving strains of A R Rahman’s iconic music, the film traces the arduous childhood journeys of the featured cricketers. It pays tribute to the extraordinary sacrifices made by their families, all fuelled by national pride, to transform youthful dreams into reality. The narrative honours not merely the aspiration to represent India but the exacting standards, discipline and resilience required to earn and uphold that privilege.

It vividly captures their metamorphosis from hopeful children into athletes who now bear the weight of a billion hopes on the world stage – an achievement realised not by talent alone but through a lifelong pledge to be the best. Tendulkar, serving both as brand ambassador and a symbol of enduring legacy, represents the inspirational values and benchmarks that have defined Indian cricket for generations, connecting the past’s glory to the present’s pursuit of excellence.

Neeraj Kanwar, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “This campaign reflects a core belief at Apollo Tyres that excellence is built through resilience, discipline and consistency. Har Safar Mein Dum Hai is our tribute to the Indian spirit, and to the unyielding commitment it takes to be the best at what you do.”

Simran Kanwar, who wrote the script and screenplay along with conceptualising the Ad film, said, “Har Safar Mein Dum Hai is not just about beginning a journey, it is about the relentless pursuit of excellence. It may be the only ad film to bring together some of the world’s finest sportsmen from a single sport into one film, set to Maa Tujhe Salaam, our cricket anthem. Together, these elements make the film truly iconic, capturing the spirit, pride and standards that define greatness at a global level.”

Devajit Saikia, Secretary, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said, “This film authentically captures the spirit of Indian cricket. It reflects the hard work, sacrifice and endurance required to represent the country at the highest level. The BCCI is proud to partner with Apollo Tyres, a brand that understands the importance of nurturing talent and celebrating the journey from grassroots ambition to world class mastery.”

Udyan Ghai, Group Head – Marketing, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, "The campaign is a strong articulation of Apollo Tyres’ brand philosophy, reinforcing its positioning around performance, endurance and reliability across its product portfolio. Drawing parallels with Indian cricket’s journey from India to the world, the film reflects Apollo Tyres’ own evolution as a global brand while strengthening its emotional connection with consumers.”

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A new joint venture, UniPyrum, has been established by Pyrum Innovations AG and the independent tank farm operator UNITANK Holding GmbH, with the ambition to build a European network for processing end-of-life tyres. Based in Hamburg, the venture will be managed by a dedicated team overseeing the expansion of multiple advanced recycling facilities. The initial blueprint calls for the development of five to 10 such plants across strategic European locations, beginning with several sites in Germany.

Each new facility will feature a modular setup, starting with a minimum of three modern thermolysis reactors. This configuration allows a single site to process at least 22,000 tonnes of scrap tyres annually, with the flexibility for future capacity increases based on local demand. For the launch, three initial target regions have been selected, with comprehensive preliminary work on engineering and business planning already completed. A UNITANK facility in Emleben, Thuringia, is under strong consideration as the first operational location, and the partners are preparing to initiate approval processes imminently.

UNITANK, which holds a 51 percent majority stake in the partnership to Pyrum’s 49 percent, is actively securing the venture’s commercial foundations. This involves concurrent negotiations to establish reliable supply chains for feedstock tyres and to secure offtake agreements for the recycled output. The collaboration combines Pyrum's proprietary technology with UNITANK's industrial logistics expertise to accelerate the rollout of this recycling infrastructure.

Jan Vogel, CEO, UNITANK Group, said, “We are delighted to take a decisive step forward in our longstanding and trusting partnership with Pyrum by establishing this joint venture today. In addition to our core business in the tank storage sector, this creates a new business area with strong growth potential that is independent of the energy transition. The combination of Pyrum’s leading technology and our extensive experience in operating critical infrastructure in the energy sector opens up exciting opportunities for the future. The aim is for the new joint venture to rapidly develop and operate a network of used tyre recycling plants in Germany and neighbouring countries.”

Pascal Klein, CEO, Pyrum Innovations AG, said, “Since our initial memorandum of understanding with UNITANK, we have worked intensively together to further develop our partnership. We are delighted to reach this important milestone today. Following the positive funding approval in Greece and the recently signed shareholder agreement with SUAS, the founding of the joint venture with UNITANK represents the next important step in finally accelerating the construction and operation of new plants. UNITANK’s many years of experience in operating critical infrastructure and its diverse technical and logistical expertise complement our technology perfectly. Together, we are significantly increasing Europe-wide recycling capacity for end-of-life tyres and actively promoting the circular economy.”

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Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA), under the leadership of Executive Director Chalermpop Khanjan, has entered a strategic partnership to advance sustainability through innovation. The company participated in a ceremony to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Chiang Mai University and five other leading industrial sectors. This collaboration is dedicated to promoting the development of knowledge, research and innovation, firmly aligning with STA's commitment to sustainability and its core Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) values.

The partnership’s specific objectives include advancing joint research, supporting specialised training programmes and strengthening collaborative networks to directly address climate change. A key focus is the transfer of technology and environmental innovations, including climate adaptation solutions, to be applied across business, government and community sectors to drive tangible, shared learning. This initiative reinforces STA’s mission to generate long-term value for all its stakeholders, including farmers, local communities, customers and consumers.

Concurrently, an industrial panel discussion titled ‘Innovations Toward Industrial Sustainability’ was held. Dr Saranthinee Mongkolrat, Sustainability Division Manager at STA, delivered a presentation on ‘Carbon-Smart Natural Rubber: Turning Plantations into Long-Term Carbon Sinks’. Her session underscored the critical role of natural rubber plantations in carbon sequestration and their contribution to a more sustainable industrial future.

Through this integration of expertise, technology and cross-sector collaboration, Sri Trang Group continues to drive its long-term sustainability mission. The Group is committed to consolidating its position as a global leader in the green natural rubber industry, thereby fostering balanced growth and supporting sustainable development on both a national and international scale.

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