Continental has added recovered carbon black to its newly manufactured Super Elastic solid tires at the company’s Korbach-based tire facility in Germany, to reduce the use of fossil raw materials and simultaneously cut CO2 emissions.

The recovered carbon black is supplied by Pyrum Innovations – a Continental partner company – and is obtained by breaking down end-of-life tires (ELTs) in industrial furnaces using a pyrolysis process.

Continental’s SC20+ already contains approximately 60% renewable and recycled materials. By 2050 the tire maker seeks to use 100% sustainable materials in its tire products.

“Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the specialty tire segment.

Continue reading Continental uses Pyrum Innovations’ recovered carbon black in its Super Elastic solid tires at Tire Technology International.

A new size Michelin Xtra Defend has been launched. The 33.25 R29 will be released this December and has been designed for fitment to the Volvo A60H – stated to be the largest articulated dump truck in the world. It will replace the 800/80 R 29 size X-Super Terrain +.

The new means the range consists of four references for the 80 series – a 23.5 R25, 26.5 R25, 29.5 R25 and 33.25 R29 – and two references for the 65 series – a 750/65 R25 and 875/65 R29. To ensure the tires provide a longer service life, the Michelin Xtra Defend range is retreadable and intended for use in the OEM and replacement markets.

Continue reading Michelin adds new size to Xtra Defend range at Tire Technology International.

A Continental tire plant in Lousado, Portugal, has received the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) Plus, in recognition of its compliance with specific sustainability standards.

The certification also indicates transparency in terms of traceability of the raw materials used in Continental’s production processes at the facility. By certifying the raw materials used, the company can ensure traceability of materials from sustainable sources.

Continental’s UltraContact NXT is manufactured at the Lousado plant and features up to 65% renewable, recycled and mass balance certified materials.

“The certification underscores our strong commitment to more transparency along the entire supply chain, while enabling the introduction of new and more sustainable materials,” said Jorge Almeida, head of sustainability tires, Continental.

Continue reading Continental’s Lousado facility awarded ISCC Plus at Tire Technology International.

Bridgestone has expanded its Potenza range with the addition of the Potenza Sport AS, its latest ultra-high performance all-season tire. The Sport AS has been developed to provide “confident handling and responsive grip”, in addition to wet performance and enhanced winter capabilities.

The Potenza Sport AS –manufactured in North America – is Bridgestone’s first UHP AS tire to feature its Enliten technology, which was engineered to optimize all-season performance while providing longer wear life. For the Sport AS, this core technology includes a tread compound designed to deliver increased performance and wear life.

The tire is also Bridgestone’s first UHP tire to incorporate PeakLife, the company’s next-generation polymer technology, which is stated to enhance tread resistance to wear, extending service life.

Continue reading Bridgestone launches Potenza Sport AS at Tire Technology International.

The Cooper Discoverer tire range has been expanded following the addition of the Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT. The company’s latest tire has been re-engineered with a continuous tread pattern that extends 50% further down the sidewall than the previous iteration to deliver enhanced grip and control on soft and uneven terrain.

The new tire’s design features EnduraGuard, which delivers a durable internal construction for even wear across the aggressive tread pattern. Furthermore, the manufacturer’s winter grip technology – consisting of connected center tread lugs – results in stability and traction on snow-covered surfaces.

The Road+Trail AT is Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certified, denoting its capabilities in winter weather, and is available in 36 sizes ranging from 15in to 22in to suit an array of SUVs and mid-size and light-duty pickup trucks.

Continue reading Goodyear launches the Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT for SUVs at Tire Technology International.

Manja Greimeier has been appointed as the new head of the original equipment business area for Continental’s tires group sector, effective August 1. She will be tasked with the company’s global OE business for passenger and commercial vehicles.

David O’Donnell – who previously held the position –  is now responsible for the global research and development activities for the manufacturer’s passenger car tire replacement business.

Greimeier brings to the position 20 years of automotive industry experience. Since joining Continental in 2017, she has held positions within the automotive group sector heading sales and customer project management for ADAS.

Continue reading New head of original equipment business area for Continental’s tires group sector appointed at Tire Technology International.

Alfa Romeo’s new Tonale SUV will be fitted with Continental’s EcoContact 6 tires in 17in and 18in sizes as the vehicle’s original equipment. Continental has engineered the tire line to deliver energy efficiency and less road noise.

Continental’s engineers developed a rubber compound for use within the EcoContact 6 to ensure it benefitted from minimal energy absorption, less friction with the road surface and good rolling resistance.

Additional features include an asymmetrical groove and sipe geometry to enhance wet and dry grip and to foster cornering and stability when a vehicle is traveling at high speeds.

Continue reading Continental tires selected as factory equipment for Alfa Romeo Tonale at Tire Technology International.

Bespoke tires developed using 63% recycled and renewable materials will be supplied by Bridgestone for the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC) – a 3,000km race across Australia. The tires are the first to be used in motorsport competition with Bridgestone’s Enliten technology.

Enliten – a new base technology for product design – enhances a tire’s environmental performance. The advanced performance characteristics engineered by Bridgestone include low rolling resistance, wear and weight. The tires will be further customized to ensure they meet the requirements of each team entering the competition.

One of the tires Bridgestone is supplying consists of 63% recycled and renewable materials; tires used in the 2019 competition contained 30%.

Continue reading Bridgestone to supply BWSC entrants with tires made from 63% recycled and renewable materials at Tire Technology International.

Toyo Tire Malaysia is installing a large-scale megawatt solar power generation system on the facility’s roof in Perak, Malaysia to significantly reduce the tire maker’s CO2 emissions. The solar array from Solarvest is likely to cover 96,000m2.

The first half of construction has already been completed, ahead of the system becoming fully operational in December 2023. TTM’s new solar array will generate approximately 19,000MWh a year while stopping 12,000 tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere in the same period.

“We welcome Toyo Tire’s further focus on ESG efforts to create a sustainable business environment in Malaysia,” said Governor Saarani Bin Mohamad of Perak Province.

Continue reading Toyo Tire Malaysia completes first half of 19,000MWh solar array construction at Tire Technology International.

Following a five-year partnership with the T4 karting series, Maxxis and Tillotson have announced that they are to extend their partnership. Maxxis will sponsor the International Tillotson T4 Series and T4 Nations Cup for three more years.

Maxxis has been the official development and testing partner of Schuurman BV for karting tires since 1986, and this relationship will continue. The two companies work collaboratively to ensure tire products meet the karting sector’s requirements, in addition to homologation rules set out by the FIA. As a result of the partnership, the Maxxis T4 tire is now used within the international T4 categories.

Continue reading Maxxis and Tillotson extend sponsorship deal for the International Tillotson T4 Series and T4 Nations Cup at Tire Technology International.