Continental Tire announced it has created a new department for Sustainability activities to demonstrate its commitment to research and development in new technologies, alternative materials, and environmentally friendly production processes in the tire sector.

Under the leadership of Claus Petschick, as part of the company's "Vision 2030" strategy program, the new department will lead strategic direction and worldwide steering of all sustainability projects of the company.

"With the creation of a dedicated sustainability organization under the leadership of Claus Petschick, we are consolidating our far-reaching activities and research projects and underscoring our commitment to further systematic expansion of sustainable business models and innovative products and services along the entire value chain,” explains Christian Kötz, Head of the Tires business area and member of the Executive Board of Continental AG. “We are confident that sustainable and responsible management enhances our capacity for innovation and our future viability, and that we can make an important contribution to society and toward shaping our future through our commitment.

claus-petschick-head-of-sustainability-continental-tires-kopie — Claus Petschick | © Continental Tire

In order to make the tires of the future even more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly in terms of production, use and recyclability, Continental is systematically investing in the research and development of new technologies, alternative materials, and environmentally compatible production processes.

This includes, for example, the extension of product service life through retreading. Back in 2013, Continental already built the globally unique ContiLifeCycle plant in Hanover, Germany, for this purpose. Here, specially designed machine fleets with integrated retreading systems set new standards in the field of tire recycling.

A further central concern for Continental is to cease importing natural rubber exclusively from the tropics, but to produce it as close as possible to the tire plants in order to prevent the ongoing deforestation and reduce the CO2 emissions generated through long transport routes.

Continental is a founding member of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR), an association of the major players in the natural rubber sector from business and civil society, who are working jointly to improve global sustainability in the natural rubber sector.

Tagged: ContiLifeCycle

Continental Tire creates new department for Sustainability activities