Instead of rectifying quality issues affecting hoses produced at the ContiTech plant in Korbach, Germany, someone allegedly chose to address the problem by systematically manipulating test results. Continental uncovered this potential fraud during an internal investigation, and authorities are now on the case.
After months of fine-tuning and integrating into development processes, Continental has begun operations with its new driving simulator for tyres and aims to use it in particular to assist original equipment tyre development. Tyrepress recently visited the simulator to find out more.
Germany’s position as a centre of manufacturing took another blow today with the confirmation that Michelin will gradually cease production at its Karlsruhe and Trier sites, as well as the manufacture of new tyres and semi-finished products in Homburg. Michelin will also transfer its Customer Contact Center from Karlsruhe to Poland. These changes are expected to be completed by the end of 2025 and will impact a total of 1,532 employees.
Continental will support luxury tuning firm Brabus at the Essen Motor Show 2023 (1-10 December). Brabus will present the Rocket R Limited Edition and Brabus 750 Bodo Buschmann Edition, both of which are limited to 25 models, and which fit Continental’s ultra-high performance SportContact 7. Continental will also supply ContiSportAttack 4 motorcycle tyres for the Brabus 1300 R Masterpiece Edition in its debut appearance, while the manufacturer will display its infotainment products on a separate stand (Hall 7, Stand A07).
Pyrum Innovations has dropped plans to build a pyrolysis tyre recycling plant at Homburg, in Germany’s Saarland – but is still confident of setting up its second facility within the originally-announced timeframe, more or less. The company has already identified a potential new location.
As announced during 20th-anniversary celebrations in August, Dr Andreas Güntner has taken over the management of Borbet Thüringen GmbH, the Borbet subsidiary responsible for operating the company’s Bad Langensalza plant. Güntner brings a quarter-century of experience with leading OEM suppliers and knowledge of the wheel business to his new role.
Continental has extended its longstanding partnership with football club Hannover 96. The new contract runs for five years, starting with the 2023/2024 season, and is independent of the club’s league affiliation. Hannover 96 currently plays in Germany’s second division 2. Bundesliga.
Those of us living in countries that have experienced extensive deindustrialisation may be able to commiserate with workers in Germany’s tyre plants, including the many who have received unsettling news of late. Michael Berthel, chief economist of the German Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (WdK), recently commented that “the situation is not entirely healthy” – and this may be an understatement. Berthel believes an uncertain future awaits more than half of Germany’s tyre manufacturing locations.
Goodyear has confirmed that ending tyre production at its Fulda and Fürstenwalde factories in Germany will be recorded as a charge of “between $575 million and $600 million”. Of that, $425 million to $450 million is “primarily for associate-related costs and other exit costs”. The remainder represents “non-cash charges of approximately $150 million” related to “…accelerated depreciation”.
Recycling company Remondis Group recently signed a letter of intent with Pyrum Innovations. The partners intend to set up a plant for reclaiming raw materials from end-of-life tyres on a site in Bremen, Germany that’s owned by Weserport, a subsidiary of Remondis sister company Rhenus. This plant will be capable of recycling 20,000 tonnes of tyres annually.
Following the publication of the company’s Goodyear Forward global cost reduction and business transformation strategy, Goodyear EMEA is proposing the closure of its Fulda and Fürstenwalde car tyre factories in Germany. The plans specifically involve the closure of the Fulda plant by the end of the third quarter of 2025 and “a gradual phase-out of all tyre manufacturing activities in Fürstenwalde by the end of 2027”. However, the mixing department in Fürstenwalde will continue its operations, “supplying compounds to tyre plants across Europe”.
Pyrum Innovations has produced the first batch of pyrolysis oil in one of the two new reactors it has installed at its main facility in Germany. Although the Pyrum team has only made “small quantities” of oil so far, this marks a further step towards volume production.
Goodyear Farm Tires will unveil a new product and display its exclusive Low Sidewall range when it heads to Germany for Agritechnica next week. During the show, Goodyear Farm Tires will unveil its new LW Waffle Wheel, which is adjustable to up to eight different track positions (depending on crop row widths) and allows tyres to seat correctly at lower pressures, improving safety.
Tyre distributor SD Reifen GmbH recently went into liquidation, which means its business activities will officially end in autumn 2024. Bernd Schwarz, company shareholder and managing director of the German firm since its founding almost eight years ago, has been appointed to the role of liquidator.
Capacity at Pyrum Innovations AG’s main plant in Dillingen/Saar, Germany will soon increase following the successful warm commissioning of the site’s two new pyrolysis reactors. With licensing authorities having given the green light for production to start, Pyrum will soon begin recovering oil from end-of-life tyres within Reactors 2 & 3.
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