By Sharad Matade

As part of its sustainability efforts, Continental aims at using at least ten percent of natural rubber derived from Russian dandelion roots in its tyre and industrial rubber goods production in future.

“We have undertaken a huge research task to meet ten percent of our requirement of natural rubber from dandelion roots. It is a long-term process,” Dr Carla Recker, Head of Expertfield Materials Chemistry & Taraxagum, told Tyre Trends in an interview. “It will take decades to complement natural rubber from Hevea brasiliensis with natural rubber from dandelion plants at an industrialised level. However, the company does not intend to replace NR from Hevea brasiliensis trees.”

According to Dr Carsten Venz, Site Manager at Taraxagum Lab Anklam, “Dandelion will be an additional source of natural rubber, not a replacement to rubber trees, in the coming years.”

Continental has been consequent on the cultivation and processing of Russian dandelion as an alternative source of raw material to the rubber tree in the tropics. Last year, the company officially opened its research and test laboratory named Taraxagum Lab Anklam in Anklam, Germany, a base for its future research into the cultivation and processing of Russian dandelion, within a year after the ground-breaking ceremony held in November 2017.

“The Taraxagum Lab Anklam is the latest key milestone of our project,” said Dr Recker.

The Taraxagum project is crucial for the company. “The natural rubber from dandelion is important to develop a new alternative and sustainable supply of the raw material” Dr Venz said.

On bicycle tyres

Though the lab was opened last year, Continental started working on the dandelion rubber project in 2011, and the company has already used rubber from dandelion roots in its passenger car tyres, truck tyres and industrial rubber goods. “The latest development on production-side is that we have industrialised bicycle tyres with rubber derived from dandelions. So, you can now buy bicycle tyres of Continental made of dandelion rubber in the market,” Dr Recker said. Continental showcased its first bicycle tyre with dandelion rubber at the Tour de France this year.

Currently, the Taraxagum lab is working on dandelion research, and over the next five to ten years, it will focus on the industrialisation of dandelion rubber and increase the share for the dandelion rubber in its products.

“Continental sees the Russian dandelion as one element of our commitment for sustainable natural rubber as detailed in our Sustainable Natural Rubber Sourcing Policy published in October 2018. At least for us, the Russian dandelion is the most promising alternative source for natural rubber. There might be different sources (to get natural rubber), but that does not fit for us. The Russian dandelion can be grown in different climate zones unlike natural rubber from heave brasiliensis trees which need tropical climates to grow. Rubber trees and the Russian dandelion have the same characteristics, the same chemical structure and the same properties. It is just two plants producing the same material,” says Dr Recker. The advantage of dandelion rubber over rubber from trees is that the former has a generation succession of just three months as compared to seven years for the latter.

Since the dandelion plants can be cultivated in Northern and Western Europe, which makes transportation routes to the European production sites much shorter and contributes to the sustainable use of existing resources, thinks Continental.

However, the major challenge will be the 100 percent replacement of rubber made from trees with dandelion rubber. Dr Recker thinks, yes, technically, dandelion can replace tree rubber by 100 percent, but the more significant challenge will be the industrialisation of dandelion rubber to the level of rubber trees. “We are at a research stage. The amount of dandelion available globally is not enough to replace natural rubber commercially. To create that biological system to industrialise the natural rubber from the dandelion will take some time and we will have to be more patient,” says Dr Recker.

Research is a time and capital consuming task. Synthetic rubber is also coming into tyre production in a more significant way, but the crude oil derived commodity has historically been volatile, and even oil-producing nations are diversifying their businesses citing falling productions and growing focus on cleaner options.

Dandelion rubber is not new to the tyre industry; however, the industry does not seem much keen on dandelion plants as an alternative source for natural rubber. “Not everybody (tyre company) is willing to invest in the early research of dandelion rubber and setting up the entire bio-economy. You have to establish a full value chain from breeding to the production of natural rubber from dandelion plants, which is does not exist yet and not every market player is willing to invest in such a long-term process,” explains Dr Recker.

Since Continental sees dandelion a sustaining resource for natural rubber in the future, it has made a substantial investment for the project. It has already poured in 35 million euros for the project. “Though many of our peers are investing in other resources to get natural rubber, I think we are quite unique investing like the way we are to explore alternative resources for natural rubber,” says Dr Venz.

Over 90 percent of natural rubber derives from South East Asia, a tropical region suitable for natural rubber trees. However, erratic climate behaviour is hitting production of natural rubber in this region. Natural rubber producers are also exploring other areas to grow natural rubber trees. According to Dr Recker, the research project has yet to ascertain the survival scope of the Russian dandelion in changing climates. “I believe that Dandelion will grow in all climate zones,” says Dr Recker.

Yield ratio

As of now, Continental also does not have comparable yield ratios between natural rubber from dandelion and hevea brasiliensis. “We are working on determining the output of natural rubber per acre from both resources,” says Dr Venz. “Usually, between 1 and 1.8 ton per hectare per year is produced from rubber trees, and around the same amount of production per hectare we are expecting from dandelion plants,” estimates Dr Recker.

As part of the value chain creation, the company is focusing on breeding for seed production and harvesting, root production and harvesting, and the extraction process. According to the company, growers also need some time to understand and get hands-on to harvest dandelion plants. Every year climate conditions will determine a different impact on the plants. “We will need to see how the crops will react in different climate and harvesting seasons. We are building a network of farmers in North East Germany from whom we learn and whom we can teach what we have learned,” added Dr Recker.

Fundamental design and development of tires for the mobility of the future will be unchanged; however, tires will be expected to be high performance and eco-friendly. According to Continental executives, for the mobility of the future, natural rubber will remain the core ingredient and dandelion will be one of the sustainable options to provide natural rubber. “Rubber be will be used in future to make high-performance tires, and we are exploring the option to have a sustainable source for natural rubber,” adds Dr Recker.

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Demonstrating its advanced SUV tyre technology to North American customers, Hankook Tire took part in the prestigious King of the Hammers off-road race in California’s Johnson Valley on 6 February. This gruelling event, which challenges drivers across desert, rock and mud, is a major North American motorsport spectacle, annually drawing over 500 teams, 80,000 spectators and millions of online viewers.

For the competition, Hankook equipped the vehicles of drivers Joel Dulac, Justin Dulac and Jacob Pacheco with its extreme-terrain Dynapro MT2 tyre. This model is engineered to provide exceptional traction, grip and durability on severe off-road surfaces. Its specialised tread pattern enhances performance on mud and gravel, while a robust V-shaped sidewall design offers protection against sharp rocks and obstacles. The tread block design also ensures stable control and comfort across both on- and off-road environments.

The Dynapro series represents SUV tire technology already validated in major North American motorsports. At last year's King of the Hammers, drivers Dulac and Pacheco achieved outstanding results using the Dynapro MT2, and at the 2024 Antigo Off-Road National, Michael Funk earned a podium finish with Dynapro tyres. Beyond performance, the tyre’s innovative design has been globally recognised, winning a Red Dot Design Award in 2020.

Hankook Tire is actively strengthening its North American market presence through innovation and its premium unified brand. Beyond sponsoring teams at events like King of the Hammers, the company engages customers at major automotive exhibitions such as the SEMA Show and Overland Expo. It further amplifies its technology-driven brand image through partnerships in sports and entertainment, including its role as an Official Tire Partner and Founding Partner of the US-based Tomorrow Golf League (TGL) presented by SoFi.

Looking forward, Hankook intends to solidify its global market leadership by leveraging performance data from its involvement in over 70 motorsports events worldwide, such as the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and the FIA World Rally Championship. This strategic use of real-world racing insights will advance the development of its core ultra-high-performance tire technologies.

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Linglong Tire hosted its second Chinese fan event with Chelsea Football Club early this year in Chongqing, reinforcing its role as the club’s global tyre partner. The gathering attracted a wide range of guests, partners and media, who joined Chelsea icon Gianfranco Zola for an engaging experience. Located in central China, roughly 1,500 kilometres west of Shanghai, Chongqing is a dynamic metropolis of 32 million people and a vital commercial hub, reflecting the progressive spirit both Linglong Tire and Chelsea embody.

Linglong Tire’s Vice President, Guo Kuntao, inaugurated the event by reviewing key milestones of the partnership, established in 2024. He emphasised the natural alignment between the two brands, noting shared commitments to innovation, excellence and high-quality standards. Attendees then enjoyed various interactive opportunities, such as taking digital photos with virtual backgrounds featuring Chelsea stars and Stamford Bridge, collecting autographs from Zola and participating in digital football matches. Throughout the event, Linglong highlighted its newest tyre products, underscoring that safety and quality remain central to its development philosophy.

The celebration culminated in a public viewing of Chelsea’s Premier League match against Brentford, where fans united in song and cheered the team’s comfortable 2-0 home victory. By organising ‘The Famous CFC’ event in Chongqing, Linglong Tire not only showcased its international brand strength but also deepened its influence in the Chinese market, creating lasting impressions among fans and potential customers. Moving forward, the company plans to expand such activations to additional cities across China, further energizing its sports marketing initiatives and supporting the growth of football culture nationwide.

Zola said, "It is an honour for me to represent Chelsea Football Club at the Linglong Tire event today. This collaboration reflects Chelsea's commitment to fans worldwide, particularly in strengthening relationships with the passionate fan community in China. Many thanks to Linglong Tire for supporting the club. I hope everyone has a wonderful time in Chongqing."

Kuntao said, "We take this opportunity to sincerely thank the fans for their love for Chelsea and their trust in Linglong Tire. In the future, we will continue our efforts to strengthen the passion and joy of football through further events."

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Nokian Tyres has launched its ‘Carve the Corners’ contest, offering hockey fans in United States and Canada a chance to win a trip to the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. The promotion runs from 6 February to 20 March. Entrants can visit a dedicated page on the company’s website for their opportunity to win an all-expenses-paid experience. This includes airfare, lodging and tickets to the semifinal games in Zurich, Switzerland, on 30 May. One winner will be randomly selected from each country, each receiving a trip for themselves and a guest.

The tournament itself, for which Nokian Tyres is an Official Sponsor for a two-year period, takes place from 15 to 31 May. It is the world’s largest annual winter sports event, featuring 64 games where 16 top national teams compete for the World Champion title, captivating millions of viewers. Beyond the grand prize, the contest page allows participants to predict the tournament’s overall winner and leading scorer, and also provides information on Nokian Tyres products.

The company is promoting the campaign extensively. Efforts include social media outreach on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Threads, where followers can find competition updates, driving tips and hockey-related content. Nokian Tyres is also working with its network of tyre dealers and hockey media across both countries to raise awareness. This broader campaign involves dealer showrooms, podcast discussions and various grassroots channels. Additionally, a separate contest is available exclusively for tyre dealers, offering them a chance to win tickets to the championship, promoted through the company’s dedicated dealer communications.

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MRF Limited reported a 15 per cent rise in consolidated total income for the third quarter ended 31 December 2025, supported by stronger demand across original equipment and replacement segments.

Total income rose to INR 81.75bn, compared with INR 70.99bn in the corresponding quarter a year earlier. Consolidated profit before tax increased to INR 9.17bn, up from INR 4.24bn a year earlier, after providing for an exceptional item of INR 0.77bn related to the new Labour Code.

Provision for tax during the quarter stood at INR 2.25bn. Consolidated net profit more than doubled to INR 6.92bn, compared with INR 3.15bn in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

The company said both original equipment and replacement sales were robust during the quarter, aided by higher demand following the reduction in goods and services tax rates. Rural demand also improved, supported by good and widespread monsoons.

MRF said demand momentum from lower GST rates was expected to continue into the fourth quarter. Original equipment manufacturers were also expected to raise production levels, driven by higher anticipated sales and lower channel inventories.

The company said increased government spending on infrastructure, announced in the Union Budget, was positive for commercial vehicles and, in turn, the tyre industry. It also noted that trade agreements under discussion with several countries, including the European Union and the United States, could create export opportunities in the future.

The board of directors declared a second interim dividend of INR 3 per share, representing 30 per cent on the face value of INR 10, for the financial year ending 31 March 2026.

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