Conti & Evonik Seek Olympic Gold

Continental AG claims that experts at German specialty chemicals company Evonik Industries have improved Germany’s outdoor Olympic cycling team’s chances of taking gold at the Beijing Olympics. Conti applications technician Wolfgang Arenz says that Evonik has helped Continental reduce the energy loss experienced by its tyres by 26 per cent through optimally interacting three rubber filler components: carbon black, silica, and organosilane. The filler system reduces rolling resistance, which means a cyclist increases speed for the same energy input, and improves grip on wet roads.

Continental says that Olympic-grade tyres weigh no more than 160 grammes, of which the tread accounts for 100 grammes; the optimal filler volumes consist of 15 grammes of carbon black; 15 grammes of silica; and 1.5 grammes of organosilane, which binds the silica to the rubber.