Continental and Pyrum Innovations continue to expand the circular economy in the tire industry

Continental is consistently expanding its activities in the circular economy. To this end, the premium tire manufacturer has signed a development contract with Pyrum Innovations, a specialist in the pyrolysis of used tires. The aim of the cooperation is to further optimize and expand the recycling of used tires through pyrolysis. Among other things, particularly high-quality recycled carbon black (rCB) is to be obtained for tire production at Continental in the future. Soot is an important component of many tire compounds. By using high-quality carbon black, the performance of tires can be specifically improved. The Continental subsidiary Reifen-Entsorgungsgesellschaft (REG) will start delivering used tires from the premium manufacturer to Pyrum as early as March 2022. In the long term, a circular economy concept for the recycling of used tires is to be established -of-life tires. Since Pyrum’s IPO in 2021, Continental has already held a strategic minority stake in the company.

“In Pyrum we have found a partner who has developed a particularly efficient pyrolysis process. Together we want to further develop the processes for the pyrolysis of used tires. Our goal is to recover valuable materials and high-performance raw materials on an industrial scale in the future, for example for Continental’s tire production,” explains Dr. Andreas Topp, Head of Material and Process Development and Industrialization at Continental Tires. He adds: “Continental has ambitious sustainability goals. It is important to us to conserve resources. That is why we are continuously expanding our solutions for the circular economy.”

“We have been in close contact with Continental for some time and look forward to further expanding our cooperation with this agreement. Our business model is already fully sustainable. Together with Continental, we now want to take the next step towards a sustainable tire industry,” says Pascal Klein, CEO of Pyrum Innovations.

Carbon black is an important resource used in tire production and the manufacture of other industrial rubber products. Carbon black recovered from old tires saves fossil raw materials and makes a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions. The targeted use of carbon black in rubber compounds increases the stability, strength and durability of tires. In a standard car tire, the proportion of soot that gives the tire its black color is 15 to 20 percent.

Circular economy is an integral part of Continental’s sustainability strategy

Sustainable materials and the circular economy are an important part of Continental’s sustainability strategy. “For Continental, used tires are a raw material in the wrong place. We believe that the circular economy is the model of the future. Modern, highly efficient pyrolysis processes are very important to us,” says Claus Petschick, Head of Sustainability at Continental Tires. He adds: “As part of our ambitious sustainability strategy, we will increase the use of sustainable materials in our tire products to 100 percent by 2050 at the latest, with recycled materials making a significant contribution. As part of a closed-loop system, tires will become the starting material for new tires in the future.”

Circular economy concept for the recycling of end-of-life tires, including the recovery of recycled carbon black (rCB).

SOURCE: Continental