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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Hankook & Company Group showcased battery, thermal management and tyre technologies at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), held 3–5 November. Its three core companies – Hankook & Company, Hanon Systems and Hankook Tire – exhibited together for the second consecutive year, introducing worldwide customers to the Group's mobility portfolio through a joint booth.

Located in the Underhood Section on Level 2 of The Venetian Expo, the booth featured a vehicle mock-up displaying batteries, thermal management systems and tyres from the three companies, illustrating each product's role and how the technologies complement one another. A large hanging LED display showed promotional videos, while dedicated product and technology displays and a shared lounge supported on-site consultations and business meetings aimed at exploring new partnerships.

Hankook & Company's Energy Solution (ES) Business Division showcased Hankook brand batteries, focusing on AGM batteries as a key line in its global strategy. Its lead-acid range includes AGM, EFB and MF products for passenger and commercial vehicles, with AGM batteries combining strong starting power and high charge acceptance for start-stop systems and hybrids. The display featured the Electrified AGM concept battery and a brand video, following the company's September appearance at Automechanika Frankfurt.

As electrified vehicles and software-defined vehicles reshape mobility, Hankook & Company is developing next-generation solutions including lithium-ion batteries. Hanon Systems, a worldwide supplier of HVAC systems, compressors, powertrain cooling systems, electronics and fluid products, presented aftermarket components such as mechanical and electric compressors, radiators, condensers, cooling modules, electronic water pumps and blower motors for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles.

Hanon Systems also exhibited the production version of its Highly Integrated Cooling Entity (HICE) module for the first time, integrating an electric compressor, electronic expansion valves, water-cooled condenser, internal heat exchanger and chiller into one unit to reduce complexity, simplify assembly and optimise space. First applied in the BMW iX3, the module was named a finalist for the 2026 Automotive News PACE Awards, with winners announced November 17.

Hankook Tire exhibited the EV-specific iON evo SUV, also fitted to the mock-up, alongside the i-Flex intelligent airless concept tyre for future applications such as robotaxis and Concept S, an airless tyre embodying its vision for 100 percent sustainable materials by 2050. The iON evo SUV balances low noise, tread life, grip and low rolling resistance for EV loads, reinforcing the brand's premium EV positioning, while booth content explained both concepts' structures and features.

"At AAPEX, our three companies showcased the Group's technological and business strengths to customers worldwide for the second consecutive year. We will combine our companies' expertise to create new business opportunities and further strengthen the global presence of Hankook, our unified brand," said a spokesperson for Hankook & Company Group.

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ZC Rubber has unveiled plans to establish a new tyre production base in Vietnam, adding another site to its worldwide manufacturing map. The plant, occupying 344,195 square metres within IDICO Phu My II Expansion Industrial Park, is targeted to start output in 2027.

A newly created subsidiary, ZHONGCE RUBBER VIETNAM COMPANY LIMITED (ZCV), will run the operation. The company marked a developmental milestone in Ho Chi Minh City on 12 November 2026, when it obtained the investment registration certificate and formalised a land sublease with IDICO Corporation.

The Southeast Asian nation's location, trade relationships and maturing industrial base make it a sound choice for the venture, which will cater to Vietnamese and regional demand while reaching European and North American buyers. The move fits ZC Rubber's wider push to spread production across multiple countries and reinforce supply flexibility for distributors and customers globally.

Henry Shen, Senior Deputy General Manager, ZC Rubber, said, “Our overseas investments are guided by a long-term goal: to build a manufacturing network that supports our customers as their markets evolve. The Vietnam facility will give us greater flexibility to serve key markets and support our partners’ growth. We appreciate the support of the local authorities and will work closely with IDICO to deliver this project to high standards.”

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Tyres Europe has released its members’ replacement tyre sales figures for Q3 and the first nine months of 2026. Secretary General Adam McCarthy cautioned that modest nine-month gains should not obscure a weak third quarter. Consumer tyres across passenger car, SUV and light commercial dipped 1 percent in Q3 versus 2025, though nine-month volumes stayed 1 percent ahead, with all-season tyres up 13 percent in the quarter and 10 percent over nine months.

Summer tyres slipped 1 percent in both periods as demand shifted towards all-season, while winter tyres fell 11 percent in the quarter and remained 9 percent lower over nine months. Miles travelled declined again on high fuel prices and weak consumer confidence amid Middle East conflict, at about half Q2's pace, and PCLT imports into the EU27 plus UK dropped 7 percent from January to August.

Chinese imports more than halved year on year in July and August after July's anti-dumping duties. Truck & Bus tyres were stable in the quarter after strong Q2 growth and stood 4 percent higher over nine months, with freight volumes beating expectations and truck tyre imports up 26 percent. Agricultural tyres fell 34 percent quarterly and 17 percent over nine months, Moto & Scooter tyres dropped 5 percent in the quarter but stayed 2 percent higher over nine months. The full report is available on Tyres Europe's website.

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Goodyear brought generations of performance heritage to the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where its tyres appeared on some of the event's most talked-about vehicles. The annual automotive aftermarket gathering ran from 3–6 November at the Las Vegas Convention Center, drawing builders, manufacturers, buyers, media and enthusiasts for four days centred on innovation, new products, craftsmanship, performance and emerging trends. For Goodyear, the setting was familiar territory, as racing has long served as both a proving ground and an inspiration for its street products.

A 1928 Ford Model A reimagined by TQ Customs as an F1-inspired mid-engined hot rod stood out among the featured builds. It pairs a custom chassis and roll cage with a Honda K20 engine and Porsche transaxle, riding on custom Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres sized 275/45R18. Three F-550 Super Duty trucks wore Goodyear's heavy-duty G275 MSA in 335/80R20, while the new 819-horsepower Ferrari 12 Cylindri was fitted with application-specific Eagle F1 SuperSport tyres, sized 275/35R21 front and 315/35R21 rear.

Goodyear's presence also extended through Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels, the enthusiast performance brand within its portfolio. Mickey Thompson maintained a significant show footprint with displays in the Race/Performance section of Central Hall and the Silver Lot, showcasing products and builds spanning street, strip and off-road performance. Its SEMA programme highlighted the limited-edition Street Comp GHT Signature Series street-performance tyre, expanded Baja Boss A/T and Baja Boss M/T sizes and new MT Classic Forged wheel sizes.

The vehicles on display ranged from vintage American muscle to cutting-edge performance machines and purpose-built off-road rigs, yet they shared a fundamental drive to perform better, make a statement and become more personal.

Andrew Lau, Enthusiast Account Lead at Goodyear, said, "The SEMA Show highlights the best of the industry – emotionally charged and technology-filled and crossed with dramatic and eye-catching, which is where Goodyear and our dynamic portfolio really shine. For cars worth bragging about, we make tyres worth bragging about! Our Goodyear Eagle lineup fits the ever-growing supercar market, which we see growing especially as more enthusiasts get their hands on these cars at a range of price points. And it wouldn’t be SEMA without giant trucks and extreme lift kits, where we saw Mickey Thompson and Goodyear tyres shown off in a dramatic fashion.”

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