Continental has created a tyre concept that aligns with the brand’s commitment to switching its production to more sustainable methods in the coming years. Presented at this year’s IAA Mobility event, the Continental Conti GreenConcept is not just chiefly made of traceable, renewable, and recycled raw materials, it’s also lightweight and efficient too.

Over half of the raw materials used to create the Conti GreenConcept tyre are either from renewable sources or recycled. 35% is made from renewables such as natural rubber from dandelions, silicate from the ash of rice husks, and vegetable oils and resins. Using these types of bio-materials allows for a significant reduction in materials when compared to crude oil. The concept also consists of 17% recycled materials including reclaimed steel, recovered carbon black, and recycled plastic bottles for the tyre’s casing. Using plastic bottles in tyre production is an industry first, and each set of four tyres is said to offer an opportunity to reuse over 60 recycled PET bottles.

Weighing just 7.5 kg each, the Conti GreenConcept is about 40% lighter than conventional tyres thanks to the optimised tread pattern, sidewall, and new casing design. Another innovative feature is that the 100% Taraxagum natural rubber can be retreaded multiple times, which further adds to the concept’s sustainable credibility.