Continental introduced its most sustainable tyre series to date- the UltraContact NXT, which is made of up to 65 percent renewable, recycled and mass balance certified materials without compromising on maximum safety and performance. 
The UltraContact NXT is an extension of Continental’s successful UltraContact family, launched in 2022. These tyres are suitable for electric and combustion engines and will be available for European tyre dealers starting in July.

According to Continental, it is the first tyre company to produce a tyre with maximum sustainable materials and EU tyre-label performance in large-scale production. The UltraContact NXT comes in 19 different sizes and has received the highest rating (“A”) on the EU tyre label for rolling resistance, wet braking, and exterior noise.

Depending on the tyre size, the UltraContact NXT is made from up to 65 percent renewable, recycled, and certified sustainable materials. Renewable materials make up to 32 percent of the tyre, including resins derived from leftover materials from the paper and wood industries. The company also uses silicate from rice husk ash to enhance grip, rolling resistance, and tyre lifespan.
“At Continental, safety, performance, and sustainability go hand in hand. With the UltraContact NXT, we deliver on our ambitious sustainability goals. This development represents a significant leap forward and demonstrates our technological leadership as well as our strong commitment to both sustainability and safety,” says Ferdinand Hoyos, Head of Continental’s Business Area Replacement Tires EMEA. He adds, “With its impressive performance, the UltraContact NXT pushes sustainability to the NXT level.”

Continental incorporates up to five percent recycled materials in the UltraContact NXT, obtained from mechanically processed end-of-life tyres. The company uses its ContiRe.Tex technology, which allows them to recycle between nine and fifteen plastic bottles for each tyre, depending on the tyre size. Additionally, recycled steel is used in the manufacturing process. Continental aims to achieve fully circular tyre production by 2050.

The UltraContact NXT also incorporates up to 28 percent of certified sustainable materials through the ISCC PLUS mass balance approach. These materials include synthetic rubber and carbon black made from biobased, bio-circular, and circular sources. Synthetic rubber is a crucial component in modern tyres, offering specific performance characteristics. Carbon black is used to optimize stability, strength, and durability. The ISCC PLUS certification ensures transparency and traceability in the supply chain, verifying sustainable criteria and certifying the resulting products.
 

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The German Rubber Industry Association (wdk) has sounded an alarm over an exceptionally difficult economic situation facing the rubber sector. Soaring raw material prices and persistently high energy costs, exacerbated by the Iran war, are coinciding with weak industrial demand. wdk Chief economist Michael Berthel noted an almost unprecedented economic disparity, as raw material costs approach historical highs from 2011 and 2022 while a lack of demand prevents any offset for manufacturers.

Since the final quarter of 2025, prices for key inputs have risen sharply. Natural rubber has jumped more than 40 percent within months, while butadiene-based synthetic rubbers have increased over 30 percent. EPDM synthetic rubber, carbon black and oil-based plasticisers have all risen more than 20 percent, with some individual chemicals exceeding 40 percent cost growth in just a few weeks.

Energy prices remain a major burden, with Middle East developments fuelling market uncertainty. Risks to international transport and supply chains persist, and German rubber companies are closely watching potential impacts on raw material availability and global logistics flows.

Berthel warned that firms face mounting pressure from high costs, geopolitical instability and structural disadvantages in Germany, with no short-term relief in sight. The industry depends heavily on fair and reliable partnerships across the value chain, as processing companies alone cannot absorb the current strain. He called for fair solutions and a shared understanding of this exceptional situation.

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The Rubber Board of India has confirmed the continuation of all existing central sector schemes for the 2026-27 fiscal year at unchanged rates. Financial aid for new planting will be restricted to estates utilising poly bag or root trainer plants sourced solely from Board-approved nurseries, with applicants required to submit the original purchase bill. This mandatory verification step aims to ensure quality and authenticity of planting materials used across the sector.

Support for rain guarding and spraying operations will be channelled exclusively through Rubber Producers’ Societies. These societies must include GST bills for all acquired materials when applying. The official timeline for submitting applications will be announced separately by the Board, giving producers adequate time to prepare documentation and coordinate with their respective societies before the deadline.

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The Rubber Board of India has announced a temporary engagement for a young professional within its Market Promotion Division, located at the RRII campus in Puthuppally, Kottayam. The selected individual will assist with division activities and promote ‘mRube’, the electronic trading platform for natural rubber.

Candidates must hold an MBA in Marketing or Agri Business Management with computer knowledge, while skills in digital marketing, sales or market research and proficiency in English and Hindi are preferred. Applicants aged up to 30 years as of 1 May 2026, will be considered for the one-year role, which offers a consolidated monthly pay of INR 25,000.

Interested individuals should send their applications to the Deputy Director (Marketing) at the Central Laboratory Building, RRII, Rubber Board PO, Kottayam – 686009 by 19 May 2026. Shortlisted names will appear on the Rubber Board’s website with interview details, as no separate communication will be sent.

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Bekaert has officially finalised its acquisition of Bridgestone’s tyre reinforcement operations in China and Thailand, after securing all necessary regulatory approvals and meeting standard closing conditions. The deal, now fully completed, marks a significant step in the Belgian company’s expansion strategy.

The transaction brings under Bekaert’s control two production facilities: Bridgestone (Shenyang) Steel Cord Co., Ltd. in China and Bridgestone Metalfa (Thailand) Co., Ltd. in Thailand. These plants specialise in manufacturing high-quality tyre cord products exclusively for Bridgestone tyres, and they will continue to supply Bridgestone under the new ownership, further deepening the longstanding partnership between the two firms.

Financially, the acquisition is expected to add roughly EUR 80 million to Bekaert’s annual consolidated sales. The EUR 60 million cash consideration for the deal was funded from the company’s available cash reserves.

Curd Vandekerckhove, CEO Rubber Reinforcement, said, “With the completion of this acquisition within our Rubber Reinforcement division, we are pleased to officially welcome the plant teams in China and Thailand to Bekaert. Our immediate focus is on a smooth transition and operational continuity while continuing to serve Bridgestone as a key strategic partner. The completion of the acquisition further strengthens the position of Bekaert in the tyre cord market, expands the global manufacturing footprint and deepens our longstanding partnership with Bridgestone. A long-term supply agreement ensures continued delivery of high-quality tyre reinforcement within a trusted supplier model.”

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