Up to 65% sustainable materials – Continental launches UltraContact NXT

The “most sustainable” Continental tyre to date will arrive next month. With up to 65 per cent renewable, recycled and mass balance certified materials, the Continental UltraContact NXT “combines a high share of sustainable materials with maximum safety and performance.”

Introducing this latest portfolio addition, Continental comments that it is the first tyre maker to launch a volume production tyre with both a high share of sustainable materials and maximum EU tyre-label performance. All 19 available sizes will carry the highest possible EU tyre label ratings for rolling resistance, wet braking, and exterior noise.

“At Continental, safety, performance, and sustainability go hand in hand. With the UltraContact NXT, we deliver on our ambitious sustainability goals. This development represents a significant leap forward and demonstrates our technological leadership as well as our strong commitment to both sustainability and safety,” says Ferdinand Hoyos, head of Continental’s Replacement Tires EMEA business area. “With its impressive performance, the UltraContact NXT pushes sustainability to the NXT level.”

Renewable, recycled & certified

Exact renewable, recycled, and mass balance certified material content depends upon tyre size, with 65 per cent representing the highest level. Renewable materials make up to 32 per cent of the tyre, the proportion of recycled materials is up to five per cent, while Continental has sourced up to 28 per cent ISCC Plus mass balance approach certified materials from bio, bio-circular and/or circular feedstock.

Renewable materials include resins based on residual materials from the paper and wood industries. Used in tyres, resins allow highly flexible compounds to improve the material’s grip. The UltraContact NXT contains silicate from the ash of rice husks. Rice husks are an agricultural waste product suited to processing into silica through a new, less energy consuming process.

Sidewall logo denotes recycled content

The “contains recycled materials” logo on the sidewall of the UltraContact NXT informs of the use of recycled materials in this tyre line. The up to five per cent recycled materials within the tyre include recycled rubber material from mechanically processed end-of-life tyres.

The “contains recycled materials” logo on the sidewall of the UltraContact NXT informs of the use of recycled materials (Image: Continental)

In addition, Continental uses recycled steel in the UltraContact NXT and has adopted ContiRe.Tex technology for the tyre, utilising high-performance polyester fibres obtained from PET bottles to reinforce the tyre casing. Depending on tyre size, between nine and 15 plastic bottles go into each product.

As already mentioned, ISCC Plus mass balance certified materials account for up to 28 per cent of the materials within the UltraContact NXT. These are sustainable synthetic rubber and carbon black made from biobased, bio-circular and/or circular feedstock. The ISCC Plus certified balance mechanism ensures transparency and traceability throughout the supply chain by tracking the origin and characteristics of raw materials, verifying compliance with sustainable criteria, and certifying the resulting products.

Towards greater sustainability

Continental says it is “working tirelessly to advance innovative technologies and sustainable products and services throughout its entire value chain,” from sourcing sustainable materials to recycling end-of-life tyres.

By 2030, the tyre manufacturer aims for all its newly produced tyres to have over 40 per cent renewable and recycled content, and it is working towards 100 per cent sustainable materials in all its tyre products by 2050 at the latest. It considers the UltraContact NXT to be an “important step towards fulfilling these ambitious sustainability goals” as well as the company’s aim of becoming the “most progressive tyre manufacturer” as laid out in its Vision 2030 strategy programme.

Available for all drive types

The UltraContact NXT is an extension of the 2022-launched UltraContact family, with the 19 new sizes replacing any existing respective UltraContact dimensions. Continental will gradually launch the UltraContact NXT in Europe, with tyre retailers in Europe, including the UK and Ireland, receiving tyres this July.

Continental designed the UltraContact NXT for both electric and combustion engines. The range thus features the EV Compatible sidewall logo. According to Continental, the NXT line-up covers many popular vehicles, including the Kia Niro, VW ID.3, Mercedes-Benz EQA, Tesla Model 3, Audi Q4 E-TRON, Skoda Octavia, VW Golf 8 and Audi A3.