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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The seventh edition of Trelleborg Tires’ Tractor Driver of the Year competition took place at the Cremona Circuit in Italy on 28 February 2026, drawing 50 skilled participants from across the nation. Held at a venue renowned for its professional standards, the event has become a fixture in the agricultural calendar, offering a platform for drivers to demonstrate their expertise while experiencing advanced tyre technology in practical scenarios. After a demanding day of challenges, Francesco Coppe emerged victorious, distinguished by his exceptional precision and versatility across the various disciplines.

The competition featured a series of exercises designed to assess core abilities, including manoeuvring, loader operation, reverse driving and trailer handling, culminating in a field regularity test. Throughout these tasks, participants directly observed the benefits of Trelleborg’s ProgressiveTraction technology, which aims to boost traction, reduce soil impact and enhance overall efficiency. This year, Fendt joined as the technical partner, supplying the machinery for the event. The tractors used, such as the Fendl 300 Vario Gen5, 500 Vario Gen4 and 800 Vario Gen5 models introduced in 2025, exemplified how modern agricultural engineering supports operators in achieving high performance with comfort and ease, both on road and in the field.

Daniela Gambatesa, Marketing Manager Italy, Trelleborg Tires, said, “The ‘Tractor Driver of the Year’ once again confirms its position as a landmark event for the agricultural sector: a unique opportunity to celebrate expertise, innovation and professionalism. This 7th edition recorded a remarkable participation of tractor drivers, highlighting the growing importance of the initiative. A key highlight of the event was the new ‘5,000 Hours of Guaranteed Performance’ campaign dedicated to ProgressiveTraction® treads, originally launched in July 2025 and now featuring a customised look for Fendt tractors equipped with VarioDrive technology. This initiative allows us to prove in real working conditions the long-term durability and efficiency of our tyres, offering tangible support to agricultural professionals in their daily operations. The collaboration with Fendt as technical partner further reinforces our shared commitment to excellence, combining advanced technology with high-performing solutions for the industry.”

Silvia Uderzo, Advertising & Sales Promotion Specialist, Fendt Italia, said, “Fendt has believed in the ‘Tractor Driver of the Year’ project since its early editions, reflecting the trust and importance we attribute to this initiative. Taking part again this year represents a valuable opportunity to enhance the skills of tractor drivers and to demonstrate how the technology, performance and comfort of our machines play a decisive role in improving operational efficiency. The partnership with Trelleborg Tires confirms our shared commitment to delivering increasingly high-performing and sustainable solutions to agricultural professionals, combining innovation with close attention to their real operational needs.”

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Pirelli is all set for the Australian Grand Prix, where a new era of Formula 1 begins with more uncertainties than any season opener in recent history. The 2026 cars, fundamentally redesigned in both power unit and aerodynamics, have completed nine days of pre-season testing across Barcelona and Sakhir, but Albert Park will offer the first genuine opportunity to assess their true potential. For the Italian manufacturer, this weekend represents far more than routine tyre supply; it is about observing how an entirely new generation of machinery interacts with its products on a familiar yet demanding street circuit.

The tyres brought to Melbourne reflect the sport's broader evolution, featuring a reduced contact patch and smaller overall diameter while retaining the 18-inch rim architecture. The full range spans five slick compounds, from C1 to C5, alongside Intermediate and Full Wet options. For Albert Park, Pirelli has selected the three softest compounds, C3, C4 and C5, continuing a strategy employed over the previous two seasons. The 5.278-kilometre layout, winding around a lake, combines fast straights with low and medium speed corners that do not place extreme thermal demands on the rubber. Degradation here typically results from mechanical wear rather than heat buildup, largely due to the smooth asphalt surface comprising public roads. Last season, minor graining appeared on dry days but remained at very low levels.

Friday practice will offer the first indications of how teams approach unlocking their cars' potential. Pirelli anticipates close observation of how squads balance performance simulations with longer runs, particularly regarding thermal management across both axles. The significant energy delivered by new power units to the rear axle creates an asymmetry requiring careful correction, especially in qualifying. Teams are expected to experiment with tyre blanket temperatures and preparation lap strategies to achieve optimal operating windows.

Predicting race strategies involves multiple variables unique to this opening round. Individual car loads will determine whether the softest compound can feature meaningfully in race stints on a circuit considered relatively low in severity. Overtaking presents another consideration, as Albert Park remains challenging for passing despite recent modifications. The introduction of Overtake mode could prove significant here, potentially reshaping tactical approaches.

Weather adds further complexity, with the race falling in early autumn, one week earlier than last year, bringing potential temperature swings and rainfall. Intermittent showers dramatically influenced the 2025 race, won on Intermediate tyres, and similar conditions remain possible.

Melbourne celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Australian Grand Prix this year, marking its 29th occasion as host since replacing Adelaide in 1996. Michael Schumacher holds the record with four victories, followed by Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel with three each, while 21 other drivers have won here, including reigning champion Lando Norris. McLaren leads constructors with 12 wins, one ahead of Ferrari.

This season also launches a collaboration between Pirelli Design and renowned designer Denis Dekovic, creating 15 special-edition podium caps for selected grands prix. Each cap draws inspiration from host country traditions through dedicated colours and materials. The collection begins in Australia, where podium finishers will wear caps inspired by the southern hemisphere sky and the stars of the Australian flag, available on the Pirelli e-commerce platform.

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Italian bicycle tyre manufacturer Vittoria has expanded its premium road tyre lineup with the introduction of the Corsa PRO Speed in a new 700x30c (30-622) format. This latest addition directly responds to requests from WorldTour professional teams and reflects the shifting priorities in contemporary high-performance road cycling, where riders continuously seek marginal gains in speed, aerodynamics, comfort and overall efficiency.

The new 30 mm model joins the established Corsa PRO family, Vittoria’s flagship range defined by its supple 320 TPI cotton casing. Within this series, each variant serves a specific racing purpose: the Corsa PRO Speed is engineered for outright velocity, the standard Corsa PRO offers versatility for general racing and the Corsa Control is built for challenging conditions. The new 30 mm iteration of the Speed model aims to bridge the gap between aerodynamics and ride quality.

Building on technology introduced with the 2025 Corsa Wide Rim series – a 29 mm tyre co-developed with Team Visma | Lease a Bike to minimise micro-turbulence on wider rims – this new 30 mm tyre is designed to deliver tangible benefits in grip and comfort without sacrificing speed. The increased air volume and larger contact patch provide superior traction, particularly in wet conditions, while also absorbing road vibration for a smoother ride. This setup aligns perfectly with modern road bike frames, which now commonly accommodate wider tyres.

The Corsa PRO Speed 30 mm is positioned as a pure performance tool for elite competition. It is intended for fast, smooth asphalt in events like time trials, triathlons and high-speed road races. By offering this size, Vittoria aims to enhance the racing experience for both professionals and serious amateurs, further cementing its reputation as a leader in road tyre innovation.

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Plannex Recycling has entered into a strategic partnership with French technology firm REGOM to establish a closed-loop tyre recycling system in India. The collaboration aims to replace manual sorting with AI-powered identification and X-ray technology to improve traceability and processing safety.

The initiative addresses operational challenges in the Indian recycling sector, including labour shortages and equipment damage caused by hidden contaminants such as batteries and TPMS sensors. By automating the identification process, the companies intend to create a verifiable data trail for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance.

Plannex will deploy REGOM’s automated systems to classify light vehicle, truck and bus tyres. The technology uses AI vision to categorise tyres by type and condition, while an integrated X-ray unit scans for metal fragments and electronic components before materials enter the shredder. This process reduces the risk of plant shutdowns and fire hazards.

Key features of the system include:

• Contaminant Detection: X-ray scanning for batteries and sensors to protect downstream machinery.
• Data Traceability: Automated, time-stamped records of material flows to support EPR audits.
• Regulatory Readiness: Support for RFID infrastructure and Digital Product Passport (DPP) requirements aligned with EU standards.
• Downstream Optimisation: Classification of tyres for specific uses, including retreading, mechanical recycling and pyrolysis.

Yashraj Bhardwaj, Co-Founder and CSO, Plannex Recycling, said, “India’s tyre infrastructure undoubtedly has the potential to scale and improve, but we need the right tools and infrastructure to match the ambition. Our newly forged partnership with REGOM paves the way for us to move from reactive, manual operations to a data-driven, verifiable system, where the quality of every output stream can be demonstrated. We are pleased to collaborate with REGOM, which has incredible expertise in the tyre solutions segment, and look forward to a fruitful partnership.”

Arthur Wagner, Director, REGOM, stated, “We are excited to join hands with Plannex, which has contributed immensely to shaping India’s recycling and waste management sector. What we have built together is the data backbone for a circular tyre economy. When every tyre is identified, tracked, and routed based on its actual condition and composition, the entire recycling system becomes more efficient and transparent. We look forward to working with the Plannex team to achieve our shared vision and ensure a long-standing relationship.”

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