Recovered carbon black in solid tyres is gaining momentum as manufacturers seek cost-effective, sustainable alternatives to virgin carbon black.

• Solid tyres from Continental’s tyre plant in Korbach now contain carbon black recovered from end-of-life tyres
• Recovered carbon black reduces the use of fossil raw materials and CO₂ emissions
• Continental aims to use 100 percent sustainable materials in its tyre products by 2050 at the latest

Continental continues to step up its activities to ensure a circular economy. Recently, the tyre manufacturer added recovered carbon black (rCB) to its newly produced Super Elastic solid tyres at its tyre plant in Korbach, Germany, thus reducing the use of fossil raw materials and CO2 emissions. Solid tyres such as Continental’s SC20+ already contain around 60 percent renewable and recycled materials thanks to their high natural rubber content. By 2050, Continental aims to use 100 percent sustainable materials in its tyre products.

Pyrum Innovations, one of Continental’s partner companies, supplies the recovered carbon black. Pyrum uses a special pyrolysis process to break down end-of-life tyres into their components in industrial furnaces. This allows valuable raw materials in end-of-life tyres to be extracted and recycled. Solid tyres have a high load capacity and are incredibly stable, puncture-proof, maintenance-free, and highly economical. They are mainly used in material handling by forklift trucks, airport vehicles, heavy transport vehicles, sideloaders, platform trucks, and other industrial vehicles.

Advanced rubber compounds ensure reliable tyre performance

“Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the specialty tyre segment. Our Super Elastic solid tyres combine low rolling resistance, long service life, and a comparatively high proportion of sustainable materials,” says Matthias-Stephan Müller, product manager for material handling tyres in Continental’s Specialty Tires business area.

Most forklift trucks in intralogistics are already powered electrically. The range and charging times of the battery employed are therefore essential. Tyres with a low rolling resistance can help keep the energy consumption of electrically powered forklifts low, thus improving vehicle range.

The rubber compound is crucial for high energy efficiency and therefore low rolling resistance, as valuable natural resources can be saved and the energy consumption of special vehicles reduced. Müller explains: “Our customers want to make their operating processes even more environmentally friendly, resource-saving and efficient. Forklift trucks, for example, must do more work in the shortest possible time. This means moving heavier loads and traveling further distances at higher speeds. This is where Continental comes in with its customised tyre solutions.”

Recovered carbon black from end-of-life tyres thanks to an efficient pyrolysis process

Industrial carbon black is a vital resource used as a filler in tyre production and manufacturing other industrial rubber products. The targeted use of carbon black in rubber compounds increases tires’ stability, strength, and durability.

“In Pyrum, we have found a partner that has developed a particularly efficient pyrolysis process. Together, we want further to develop the process for the pyrolysis of end-of-life tyres,” explains Matthias Haufe, Head of Material Development and Industrialization at Continental Tires. In the future, the recovered carbon black will also be used in other Continental compounds. Jointly with Pyrum, the tyre manufacturer is working on further optimising and expanding the recycling of end-of-life tyres using pyrolysis.

Recovered carbon black from end-of-life tyres is an essential step toward more circular business practices in Continental’s tyre production. The company works 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 2050 at the latest, Continental aims to achieve 100 percent carbon-neutrality along its whole value chain.

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