One of the world’s leading tire manufacturers, Continental, has announced that next June it will begin marketing its polyester tires processed from plastic bottles.
German tire brand Continental, has presented two initiatives that will contribute to improving the environment. The first is the imminent commercialization of its tires made from recycled plastic.
Specifically, the German manufacturer uses the PET plastic (polyethylene terephthalate) from the bottles used to produce the polyester yarn that is used in the manufacture of the tire carcass.
What is interesting about this method is that, in addition to recycling bottles, it does not require the use of intermediate chemical processes and fully replaces the use of conventional polyester.
“Achieving a positive impact on the environment is crucial and possible through small and simple individual actions. And that goes for the tyres, too.”They have explained from Continental.
40 bottles are enough to produce a set of tires. After being crushed, they are melted and granulated. This is followed by solid state polymerization and a modified spinning process. The marketing of this new tire will begin in June in some European countries.
Pyrolysis and a second life for tires
The second sustainable initiative that Continental has presented is the recycling of used tires thanks to the pyrolysis technique.
This is possible thanks to the company’s agreement with Pyrum Innovationa specialist in this technique, to “optimize and expand the recycling of end-of-life tyres”.
The technique consists of obtaining recovered carbon black, a resource used in the production of tires and other industrial rubber products. Thus, the use of fossil feedstock and emissions are reduced of carbon dioxide (CO₂).
In addition, the use of this technique allows to increase the stability, resistance and durability of the tires.