Continental is the only tyre company that manufacturers bicycle tyres in Germany. The long-time Tour de France associate has always believed in serving cyclists with the best technology features they expect and deserve

How passionate Continental is about the bicycle tyre business can be judged by the company’s history and innovations in the segment. One of the leading innovative tyre makers that caters to all tyre segments, Continental will be celebrating its 150th anniversary of the bicycle tyre production next year.

“Mobility concepts are a core of Continental. We are looking back on a strong heritage and carefully built up expertise over the many years since we are operating. Therefore we find ourselves in the very encouraging position of contributing to mobility developments of today and serving solutions,” Oliver Anhuth, Global, Head of Marketing, Two Wheel Tires Bicycle at Continental Tires,told Tyre Trends.

Continental is the only tyre company that manufacturers bicycle tyres in Germany.

Though bicycles are no more preferred mode to commute on the road as it used to be, love for the bicycle has not faded. According to Anhuth, Continental has a robust international community with many interested people and cyclists who are keen to explore the options they have to tune their bikes easily. “Speaking of our community there are many many passionate fans who actively share information and tips and also help each other with recommendations when it comes to model selection, sizing or tyre pressure questions,” he said.

Over the years, Continental has believed in serving cyclists with the best technology features they expect and deserve. “We find ourselves both seen as an industry leader, yes, and by doing so, with a strong eye on the reliability aspect of our tyres, to really support for the best ride possible,” Anhuth said.

Continental sees the growing demand for more individual solutions and setups in the bicycle tyre business. “By perceiving this, the brand is not only the platform for a company’s overall appearance but also a strong promise we are lucky enough to make to the cyclists. By choosing Continental, cyclists can rely on the fact that the products have proven their performance multiple times before we present it and provide a high level of quality on different price points. We also strongly believe in the handmade aspect we are performing since 1871,” he explained.

In developing markets, such as China and India, which are also the largest bicycle markets and where bicycles are still used as a commuting tool, and there is another market like Europe where bicycles are used from commuting and exercising to for sadventure sports. Being a global company, Continental focuses on understanding different markets to cater to different demands. “We cater to different customers globally, this with various solutions; from specialist tyres to allrounders, from special interest products to generalists, at different price points. We always valued having the chance to gain insights from different perspectives. We learn from this and take this as inspiration to synergize,” said Anhuth.

Like other segments, significant trends are being seen in the bicycle tyre segment as well. Being serving the cyclists for over a century, Continental has a keen eye on emerging trends. “By today we have talked a lot about wider tyres in the classic Road tyre segment in the industry. We had stepped our way early in this field since we saw that increasing the comfort on the bikes was a real topic in the cycling community.”

If the passion and trends are evolving, so are technologies in the bicycle tyre segment. The company introduced the revolution to the tubeless market with the Grand Prix 5000 TL launch back in 2018. With the solution, ambitioned road cyclists finally had the chance to step their way into tubeless, without the discomfort of the early inventions of this technology. 

“Overall we definitely see the ongoing diversification of the formerly classified segments, Road, MTB, Urban/Tour, but in the same instance also the need for simplicity. This may appear as a contradiction but in fact, only shows how big the demand for a proper bike setup is. The goal we are working for is to provide cyclists with easy access to what they like most: riding their bike, without having to care too much for their tyre setup,” said Anhuth.

When it comes to technologies, Continental shares the same passion for bicycle tyres as it does for car tyres. For an instant, its Black Chili compound provides high grip not only in Continental bicycle tyres but in the company’s high-performance car tyres as well.

In its technology and development centre in Korbach, Continental is continuously developing new revolutionary technologies such as the unbeatable Black Chili compound and the ultimate Vectran breaker anti-puncture technology, both used at the top end of race sport.

These technologies demand sophisticated processes to ensure its legendary end-product quality, and these innovations, as well as the ProTection and RaceSport technology for MTB tyres, can only be manufactured in Continental’s factory in Germany.  

Continental has been associated with Tour De France, the iconic cross country bicycle race. “With the Tour de France as the queen of the tours, it is clear that we talk about the strong heritage we have in common.”

Over the decades Continental and Tour De France are working together with the professional teams, and Continental tyres always have been the preferred go-to-brand for many of the decorated winners of the last years.

“The activation of the Tour de France is a shared project we are happy to realize together with our colleagues from the PLT tyre segment. For us, this collaboration just underlines the important role that road cycling plays for many people,” said Anhuth.

“We love to enrich the strong connection with our community, be it merely online at the moment, due to the current situation, but hopefully soon in real life again, too. Learning from the cyclists, be it the ambitioned ones or the professionals, and transferring these gains into solutions, will stay a core driver for us,” he added.

ENDS

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

KraussMaffei has appointed Xinting Ren as Managing Director of its extrusion business, effective 1 September, 2026, combining the role with his existing leadership of the group’s China operations.

Ren succeeds Ralf Benack, who left the company at his own request on 31^st August , ending a tenure of about two years.

The company said the dual appointment is intended to strengthen integration between its extrusion activities and international operations.

Ren has led KraussMaffei China for the past three years, overseeing cross-technology activities in the Chinese market. Before joining the group, he held several management roles in the chemical industry, including Assistant General Manager at KraussMaffei Company Limited, now operating as Sinochem Equipment Technology Qingdao Co., and most recently served as general manager of Shanxi China Coal Pingshuo Energy Chemical Co., Ltd.

Benack took over leadership of KraussMaffei Extrusion in 2024 and was responsible for the group’s global extrusion business. During his tenure, the company focused on operational processes and customer orientation, reducing delivery times and further developing the Technology Center at its Laatzen site.

The facility now offers 26 pilot lines for development and customer projects, and the company said it also expanded its extrusion technology portfolio.

From September, responsibility for the extrusion business and management of the China business will be combined under Ren’s leadership.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Nokian Tyres plc has introduced a new premium summer tyre, the Powerproof E, designed for Central and Southern European markets, with A-class ratings in all three European Union tyre label categories across its full range.

The company said the tyre achieves top grades for rolling resistance, wet grip and external rolling noise, reflecting a development approach aimed at balancing efficiency, safety and comfort within a single product.

“Whether the priority is maximizing range and efficiency or achieving confidence and comfort in wet conditions, drivers should not have to compromise on safety. The new Nokian Tyres Powerproof E is designed to deliver outstanding performance in the areas that matter most to drivers,” said Tommi Alhola, Senior Vice-President for Passenger Car tyres in Central Europe.

Samu Lepistö, development manager at the company, added: “Achieving A-class ratings in all three EU tire label categories across the entire range is a significant result. These characteristics are all important to today's drivers yet improving one can often affect another. Nokian Tyres Powerproof E was developed to deliver balanced performance across all three areas.”

The tyre incorporates what the company calls Motion Control Technology, combining tread design, compound development and structural engineering to support efficiency and wet-weather performance.

Depending on size, between 40.9 percent and 42.8 percent of the tyre’s material content consists of recycled and renewable inputs, including rice husk ash, recycled carbon black and recycled steel.

Production takes place at the group’s factory in Oradea, Romania, which opened in 2024 and operates with zero direct carbon dioxide emissions, powered by renewable energy.

The Powerproof E is designed for passenger cars, sport utility vehicles and crossover vehicles, including electric, hybrid and internal combustion models. It will be available in sizes ranging from 16 to 20 inches for the 2027 summer season in Central and Southern Europe.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Continental Tire Canada has appointed Frank Buntinx as its new Managing Director, effective 17 August 2026. In this executive capacity, he assumes comprehensive oversight of the organisation’s entire Canadian tyre portfolio, which encompasses passenger and light truck vehicles, commercial truck lines and specialised tyre segments. His leadership will guide the strategic direction and operational performance across these diverse business units.

A native of Belgium, Buntinx brings over two decades of tenure with Continental, having commenced his career there in 2003 within logistics and supply chain management. Over the years, he has accumulated a broad commercial skillset through successive roles in marketing, pricing strategy, business analytics, fleet operations and sales. His professional trajectory later elevated him to senior leadership positions in the Benelux region, where he directed marketing efforts and subsequently headed Fleet Solutions and Truck Tires, thereby acquiring multifaceted management expertise.

This transatlantic appointment signifies a pivotal career transition for Buntinx, offering him the chance to infuse the Canadian market with an international vantage point. His arrival is anticipated to bolster Continental’s regional presence, leveraging his extensive cross-functional background to navigate the complexities of the domestic tyre industry and drive organisational growth.

“I am truly excited to join Continental Tire Canada and begin this new chapter. Continental has built a strong business and reputation in the Canadian market, and I look forward to working alongside our talented team to build on that success, strengthening Continental's position while supporting the growth and success of our customers,” said Buntinx.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., which operates the Dunlop brand, will discontinue the supply of karting tyres by the end of 2027 as part of a strategic review of its business and allocation of management resources.

The company said it would continue supplying products to existing customers until December 31, 2027.

Dunlop has produced karting tyres since 1976, supplying products homologated by the Commission Internationale de Karting-FIA (CIK-FIA), under the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, as well as tyres accredited by the Japan Automobile Federation.

The company said its products had supported a wide range of users, from recreational drivers to young drivers aiming to compete at higher levels, and had contributed to the development of karting participation.

It added that the decision followed a review of its medium- to long-term management strategy and changes in the business environment.

The group said it would continue to contribute to motorsport activities, while expressing appreciation to customers and organisations that had supported its karting tyre business.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!