Pyrum rCB in Continental solid tyres

Continental has begun using recovered carbon black (rCB) in the production of Super Elastic solid tyres at its Korbach plant in Germany. The recovered carbon black is supplied by Pyrum Innovations, one of Continental’s partner companies.

Pyrum breaks down end-of-life-tyres into their individual components in industrial furnaces using a pyrolysis process, allowing raw materials to be extracted. “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.

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

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