Efforts to reduce the harmful impact of cars and other vehicles on the environment are actively undertaken. Continental is taking a step forward by launching environment-friendly tires to further decrease the damage done to the environment. The Conti GreenConcept introduced by Continental is an eco-friendly concept tire made of materials that can be recycled and are renewable. The company claims that even the natural rubber tread can be renewed with a little bit of effort. This is not an entirely new idea. But such tires were not generally used except for large commercial vehicles. Three renewals would be sufficient to ensure that the amount of casing material used is reduced to half when compared to the overall mileage.
About 35% of the ingredients are renewable, such as dandelion rubber, rice husk ash silicate, and a variety of vegetable oils and resins. Polyester yarn manufactured from recycled PET bottles, reclaimed steel, and recovered carbon black makes up the remaining 17%.
Continental noted that the design should increase the efficiency of the cars themselves. The GreenConcept, with its new casing, sidewall, and tread patterns, is around 40% lighter than a traditional tire, weighing around 16.5 pounds. This results in a 25% lower rolling resistance than the EU’s highest-rated tires. An electric vehicle, according to Continental, would have a six percent longer range.
While you may not be able to put these precise tires on your car anytime soon, this is more than just a thought experiment. Continental intends to gradually roll out its recycling technology, including tire production from recycled bottles, beginning in 2022.
Part of the goal of initiatives like the Conti GreenConcept is to improve Continental’s public image. It aspires to be the most environmentally conscious tire manufacturer by 2030, and to be carbon-neutral by 2050 “at the very latest.” However, it also suggests a more holistic approach to environmentally friendly vehicles, in which many components, not only the powertrain, are more environmentally friendly.
