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 Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) has warned that UK’s circular economy goal will remain out of reach if waste tyre processing continues to move abroad. Environment Agency data shows enhanced verification measures introduced last October have a compliance rate below two percent, a figure the TRA described as deeply concerning. Without a fundamental shift in policy and enforcement, a closed-loop system cannot be realised.

Exporters are systematically ignoring the new rules. Of 4,189 waste tyre shipments since 1 October 2025, only 54 post-shipment forms were completed correctly, a compliance rate of just 1.3 percent. The vast majority of UK’s annual 300,000 tonnes of tyre exports end up at illegal batch pyrolysis plants in India. The TRA called this both an environmental failure and an economic loss, as the UK ships abroad the very feedstock needed to power its own circular economy.

While the UK treats waste tyres as a disposal problem, the domestic sector holds 150,000 tonnes of licensed but idle processing capacity. The TRA argued that with enforceable regulation and proper oversight, the industry could expand significantly, creating skilled jobs and generating high-value secondary materials at home instead of losing them overseas.

Shredding tyres reduces environmentally harmful disposal and unlocks new value streams. Shredded tyres are strategic feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel, advanced continuous pyrolysis, recovered carbon black for new tyre manufacturing and rubberised asphalt for long-life roads. The TRA urged immediate regulatory action to stop uncontrolled exports and activate dormant domestic processing capacity without further delay.

Peter Taylor OBE, Secretary General, Tyre Recovery Association, said, “The Environment Agency’s transparency is very welcome, but the figures are an indictment of those tyre export brokers who continue to operate without conscience. To see a compliance rate of just 1.3 percent is ultimately depressing, these measures are a long way off having any meaningful impact.

“New measures need to be introduced so that EA can fulfil their statutory duty; until then, the export chain simply continues to abuse their goodwill. We must face the hard reality. Shred is the only immediate route to a circular economy and sustainable future for British operators. Unless we mandate that tyres must be mechanically processed into shred before they leave our shores, we will continue to fuel pollution abroad while our domestic recycling assets wither.

“Our neighbours and competitors are realising the opportunity from secondary materials. We continue to export the UK’s future in the back of shipping containers, while the rest of the world builds a circular economy. If the UK does not move to a shred-only mandate, we will be left behind.”

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Pirelli has claimed the top position in a recent ranking of the world’s fastest road-legal track tyres, according to the Tyre Reviews platform. The comparison, which evaluated four products available in Europe and North America, crowned the P Zero Trofeo RS as the pinnacle of Pirelli’s road range. The tyre integrates technological solutions derived from the Italian company’s 120 years of motorsport experience at the highest levels.

During dry handling tests, the P Zero Trofeo RS set the fastest lap time and was described as clearly superior. Tester Jonathan Benson noted he had to recalibrate his braking points twice due to unexpectedly high grip levels. The tyre enabled quick and precise turn-in, earlier throttle application and immediate traction on corner exits, with the front axle delivering strong grip and confidence. It also ranked first in dry braking with the shortest stopping distance.

Consistency of performance under demanding conditions was another standout feature, confirming the product’s ability to maintain high performance over time. These results were reinforced by a separate test from Auto Bild Sportscars, which compared five road-legal semi-slick tyres. There, the P Zero Trofeo RS also secured first place with an ‘Exemplary’ rating thanks to best-in-class dry performance and long-distance consistency.

Designed for track use yet approved for road driving, the P Zero Trofeo RS was originally developed for original equipment and is now available on the replacement market. It brings Pirelli’s expertise from bespoke fitments for high-performance prestige and premium models to all customers. While conceived to maximise vehicle performance on the track, Pirelli engineers have also ensured a high level of safety on wet surfaces.

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Sun Auto Network has expanded its footprint in the Midwest through two strategic moves: the opening of a new Plaza Tire Service in Owensboro, Kentucky, and the acquisition of two Checkpoint Tire & Service locations in Illinois.

The Kentucky addition marks the 89th Plaza Tire Service overall and the eighth within the state, broadening regional access to automotive care. Meanwhile, the Illinois acquisitions include one Checkpoint Tire & Service location and one Checkpoint Express Lube Center, bringing Sun Auto’s total presence in the state to 15 sites. The Checkpoint additions specifically introduce express oil changes and maintenance services, offering faster and more convenient options alongside complete vehicle care.

Both the Kentucky and Illinois locations now operate under Sun Auto’s Driver Commitment, which emphasises clarity, confidence and customer care. They also benefit from the company’s scaled network advantages, including a Price Match Guarantee, access to leading tyre brands, round‑the‑clock online appointment scheduling, digital vehicle inspections, nationwide warranties and a full range of services such as tyre replacement, alignments, brakes, batteries and preventative maintenance.

Rob Kingery, Regional Vice President, said, "Growth is focused on strengthening the markets we already serve and improving access to dependable automotive care. These additions build on that approach, bringing greater convenience and service capabilities to the communities we support."

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Goodyear Racing Eagle tyres emerged as the central strategic battleground in the LMGT3 class during the FIA World Endurance Championship’s season-opening 6 Hours of Imola. The Italian circuit’s notably smooth asphalt led to unexpectedly low tyre degradation across the six-hour race, which allowed teams to experiment with varied tactical plans rather than following a single, predictable approach. Under this season’s increased tyre allocation rules, teams enjoyed greater flexibility, although not every squad chose to use its full supply.

The performance and consistency of the Goodyear Racing Eagle Medium compound proved decisive, with most teams minimising pit lane time by double- or triple-stinting their tyres. However, a minority of competitors opted for a contrasting strategy, fitting fresher Goodyear Racing Eagle tyres more frequently. Crucially, the durability of the Medium compound ensured that both approaches remained competitive, resulting in a wide array of live strategies unfolding simultaneously across the LMGT3 field.

The FIA World Endurance Championship resumes with the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps from 7 to 9 May 2026. Over the same weekend, Goodyear Racing Eagle tyres have also been in action at Kansas Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, as well as at Donington Park for the British Touring Car Championship season opener.

Stephen Bickley, Goodyear Endurance Programme Manager, said, “In the first half of the race, we saw several teams double stinting the unloaded left-hand side, but changing their right-hand side tyres at every stop. But as the race progressed, some teams began to double-stint both sides. This meant that teams that had only changed the right-hand side at the previous stop were onto their third stint with the left-hand tyres. Across the field, we saw some teams stop as little as five times during the race, and some as many as eight, emphasising the range of different strategies teams employed.”

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