Continental, a leading tire manufacturer, has introduced its most sustainable series tire to date – the UltraContact NXT. With a significant share of renewable, recycled, and mass balance certified materials, the tire combines sustainability with top-notch safety and performance. Continental is the first manufacturer to launch a tire that achieves a high level of sustainability while also meeting the maximum EU tire-label performance standards.
The UltraContact NXT will be available in 19 sizes, all of which have received the best possible rating (“A”) on the EU tire label for rolling resistance, wet braking, and exterior noise. This tire sets a new standard by incorporating up to 65 percent renewable, recycled, and mass balance certified materials, making it a milestone in sustainable tire production.
Ferdinand Hoyos, Head of Continental’s Business Area Replacement Tires EMEA, emphasizes the company’s commitment to safety, performance, and sustainability. He states, “At Continental, safety, performance, and sustainability go hand in hand. With the UltraContact NXT, we deliver on our ambitious sustainability goals, pushing sustainability to the NXT level.”
The UltraContact NXT utilizes various sustainable materials based on tire size. Renewable materials, accounting for up to 32 percent, include resins derived from residual materials from the paper and wood industries. The tire also incorporates silicate derived from rice husk ash, a byproduct of agricultural waste, which enhances grip, rolling resistance, and tire life. Natural rubber, essential for tire performance, remains a key component of the UltraContact NXT due to its strength and durability.
To highlight the use of recycled materials, the UltraContact NXT features a special logo on its sidewall. Up to five percent of the tire consists of recycled rubber material obtained from mechanically processed end-of-life tires. Additionally, Continental incorporates recycled steel and employs its innovative ContiRe.Tex technology, which recycles PET bottles to produce high-performance polyester fibers used in the tire carcass.
Continental’s commitment to sustainability is further demonstrated through the use of up to 28 percent ISCC PLUS mass balance certified materials. These materials include sustainable synthetic rubber and carbon black derived from biobased, bio-circular, and/or circular feedstock. The ISCC PLUS certification ensures transparency and traceability throughout the supply chain.
Continental aims to have over 40 percent renewable and recycled content in its tires by 2030 and strives for 100 percent sustainable materials in all its tire products by 2050 at the latest. The launch of the UltraContact NXT aligns with these sustainability goals and reinforces Continental’s position as a progressive and innovative tire manufacturer.
The UltraContact NXT will be available for various car models, both electric and combustion engines. It offers excellent label efficiency and optimum mileage performance, catering to popular vehicles such as the Kia Niro, VW ID.3, Mercedes-Benz EQA, Tesla Model 3, Audi Q4 E-TRON, Skoda Octavia, VW Golf 8, Audi A3, and many more. Continental continues to lead the way in developing pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility, emphasizing its commitment to safe, efficient, intelligent, and affordable solutions.
