Continental is increasing its use of recycled materials in tyre manufacturing, with more facilities now using polyester fabric made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. This initiative has raised the recycled content in several tyre lines by an average of thee percent. Depending on the tyre size, up to 15 PET bottles can be used in a single tyre, conserving valuable resources.

“Reduce, reuse, recycle – this trio is key to more sustainable tyres “, says Jorge Almeida, Head of Sustainability at Continental Tires.

“Reduce, reuse, recycle – this trio is key to more sustainable tyres. Wherever possible, we use recycled materials while maintaining our highest quality standards,” says Jorge Almeida, Head of Sustainability at Continental Tires. “Our polyester yarn made from recycled PET bottles is just as strong as conventional polyester yarn. This shows that sustainability, performance, and safety go hand in hand at Continental.

The company’s ContiRe.Tex technology, unveiled in late 2021, processes PET bottles that would otherwise go unrecycled. These bottles are spun into high-performance polyester yarn without intermediate chemical treatments, producing materials robust enough to meet the demands of tyre manufacturing.

Since 2022, this technology has been used on a limited scale at Continental’s tyre plants in Lousado, Portugal, and Otrokovice, Czech Republic. Recently, facilities in Korbach, Germany, and Sarreguemines, France, have also adopted recycled PET in series production.

Ambitious sustainability goals

The transition to sustainable materials aligns with Continental’s broader sustainability strategy. The company aims to increase the proportion of renewable and recycled materials in its tyres to over 40% by 2030. By then, all new car and light truck tyres are expected to feature high-performance polyester fibres made entirely from sustainable PET.

At present, an average passenger tyre contains 15–20 percent recycled and renewable materials. By 2050, Continental plans for all its new tyres to be made from 100 percent sustainable materials.

Turning waste into high-quality materials

Continental’s use of recycled PET is part of a broader effort to replace raw materials with sustainable alternatives. Textile fabrics made from recycled polyester enhance the strength, flexibility, and durability of tyres, with performance matching that of materials derived from crude oil.

In addition to recycled PET, Continental is exploring other sustainable materials, including bio-based and chemically recycled PET. Agricultural by-products, such as rice husk ash, rubber from dandelions and recycled rubber, are also being tested for future use.

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Atturo Tires has entered into a multiyear agreement to serve as the exclusive tyre brand for Mecum Auctions, the host of the World’s Largest Collector Car Auction. This strategic alliance positions Atturo at the heart of a dedicated automotive community that includes collectors, builders and daily drivers who value performance, style, durability and affordability – principles that have guided the tire manufacturer since its inception in 2009.

As the category-exclusive tyre sponsor for Mecum’s 2026-27 auction calendar, Atturo will benefit from extensive branding and promotional integration. This includes visibility across live events, television broadcasts, digital platforms, print media and social channels, all aimed at increasing brand recognition among consumers who actively seek Atturo products through dealerships.

The auction’s diverse lineup of muscle cars, luxury vehicles and off-road models aligns perfectly with Atturo’s target audience, showcasing Trail Blade and AZ tyres alongside enthusiast favourites. To support its dealer network, Atturo will provide co-brandable materials, event photography and sponsorship talking points via the dealer portal, reinforcing the brand’s national presence and its message of accessible performance.

Michael Mathis, President, Atturo Tires, said, “Mecum's audience is our audience. The people who show up to watch a Challenger cross the block or a built Bronco roll through the lot are the same drivers who trust Atturo on their daily vehicle, their weekend build and everything in between. This partnership puts our Trail Blade and AZ lines directly in front of them – and gives our dealer network another example of how Atturo is becoming the best-known private brand in the country.”

Breeann Poland, Director – Marketing and Communications, Mecum, said, “Mecum Auctions is excited to join forces with Atturo Tires by bringing them on as our official and exclusive tyre partner. Atturo has earned a reputation for delivering high-quality tyres for automotive enthusiasts of every kind, from racers and off-road enthusiasts to the everyday driver and weekend cruiser. That diverse range of customers they serve makes Atturo an excellent choice for our equally wide-ranging Mecum community.”

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Avon Tyres has expanded its motorcycle tyre portfolio with the introduction of 11 new specifications across its Cobra Chrome, Spirit ST and 3D Supersport product lines. The release comprises seven completely new sizes and four established dimensions that have been technically refined to broaden vehicle compatibility. This strategic enlargement is designed to align the company’s offerings more closely with contemporary market demands.

The most substantial growth occurs within the Cobra Chrome family, which accounts for seven of the new entries. Four pre-existing sizes have received upgrades, including enhanced load and speed ratings or a construction shift to bias belted technology, aimed at delivering superior stability and wet-weather braking for cruiser riders. Additionally, three entirely new sizes have been introduced, extending fitment to popular models such as the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, Sport Glide, Low Rider S and ST, alongside the current Honda GL1800 Gold Wing series.

To address the needs of younger commuters who often depend on their motorcycles as primary transport, Avon has launched Spirit ST sizes in 110/70ZR17 and 150/60ZR17. These dimensions are tailored for a variety of small to medium-displacement machines released over the past decade, with the tyre’s advanced tread compound and extended mileage characteristics making it a suitable option for daily use.

Finally, the 3D Supersport range gains two new fitments: a 120/60ZR17 front and a 190/50ZR17 rear. These additions are aimed at owners of older sports bikes and roadsters, as well as riders of contemporary Japanese sport-touring motorcycles, allowing them to benefit from the tyre’s refined handling dynamics and superior grip characteristics.

Don Argento, Manager Motorcycle Sales & Marketing North America, Avon Tyres, said, “These latest additions are designed not only to enhance the riding experience for our loyal customers but also to reach the next generation of riders by expanding fitment across the models they ride most. Avon Tyres remains committed to delivering unparalleled quality and ability, and it is exciting to extend the availability of three of our most popular road tyre ranges to an even broader selection of motorcycles. With its distinctive design and proven performance, Cobra Chrome continues to complement cruisers and tourers in both curb appeal and riding experience, and these new size additions represent a significant step forward for the range.”

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Goodyear Racing has retained its three-star rating within the FIA’s Environmental Accreditation Programme for 2026, securing the highest possible distinction for environmental management in motorsport. The renewal affirms that the company’s racing division operates at best-practice standards, as defined by the governing body of world motor sport and mobility organisations.

The renewed status follows an accelerated push by Goodyear to embed sustainability throughout its racing operations, spanning manufacturing, product development, logistical support and on-track activities. Auditors confirmed top-level commitment to environmental goals, supported by an integrated management system ensuring consistent implementation and ongoing refinement.

Goodyear Racing EMEA’s portfolio, including its role as official tyre supplier for the FIA World Endurance Championship, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the European Le Mans Series and the Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship, falls under the accreditation. Initiatives include renewable electricity at Hanau and Colmar-Berg facilities, ISO certifications, single-specification tyre strategies, increased virtual simulation, retreading practices and a take-back system diverting tyres from landfill.

These measures support long-term targets of 100 percent renewable energy in manufacturing by 2040 and net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2050. Recent innovations include the 2027-generation EAGLE racing tyres with 66 percent sustainable materials for LMGT3 and a truck racing specification featuring up to 60 percent sustainable content.

Originally awarded the three-star FIA accreditation in 2024, Goodyear continues using motorsport as a testing ground for sustainable technologies. The latest developments demonstrate a strategic vision where racing accelerates innovations that transition to road applications, showing measurable progress and enduring commitment.

Xavier Fraipont, Vice-President, Goodyear Racing, said, “Renewing the FIA’s highest level of environmental accreditation is a strong validation of the progress we have made in embedding sustainability across our racing operations. Over the past years, we have focused our efforts at every level – from how we design and manufacture our tyres to how we operate at the track. Crucially, we are proving that there is no trade-off between performance and a more responsible approach: the two go hand in hand. Motorsport has always been a driver of innovation, and today it also plays a key role in advancing more sustainable mobility. We remain fully committed to building on this progress together with our partners, continuing to push the boundaries of both performance and sustainability.”

Marek Nawarecki, Senior Circuit Sport Director, FIA, said, "Goodyear's renewed Three-Star Accreditation reflects exactly the kind of sustained, credible commitment the FIA Environmental Accreditation Programme is designed to recognise. By embedding sustainability from manufacturing through to trackside operations, Goodyear has demonstrated measurable, lasting progress. It's encouraging to see this level of commitment from a key partner in both the FIA World Endurance Championship and the Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship.”

Pierre Fillon, President, Automobile Club de l’Ouest, said, “We would like to warmly congratulate Goodyear on the renewal of its FIA Three-Star Environmental Accreditation, the highest level of recognition within the FIA’s Environmental Accreditation Programme. This achievement reflects the commitment of a major partner of endurance racing, demonstrating that performance and a more responsible approach can progress together. Alongside the ACO, Goodyear plays an important role in developing innovative solutions for motorsport. Endurance racing has always been a laboratory for progress. It must continue to be so, not only in terms of performance but also in supporting the transformation of mobility. This is the spirit of our collaboration with Goodyear.”

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Thai Bridgestone Co., Ltd. has formalised a strategic memorandum of understanding with Nippon Express Logistics (Thailand) Co., Ltd. to advance joint sustainability and corporate social responsibility initiatives. This alliance is structured to generate measurable ecological and societal benefits across the entire supply chain, directly supporting the Bridgestone Group’s overarching environmental strategy. A core target of this roadmap is the substantial escalation of recycled and renewable material usage to constitute 40 percent of all tyre production raw materials by the year 2030, as part of the broader 2050 vision for fully sustainable materials.

The partnership establishes a comprehensive framework for the environmentally sound stewardship of end-of-life tyres, incorporating rigorous selection processes for high-quality casings destined for premium retread manufacturing. Concurrently, a systematic recycling channel for non-retreadable tyres is being developed under circular economy principles to optimise resource utilisation. This system merges Bridgestone’s advanced tyre technology with the global logistics infrastructure of Nippon Express to forge a closed-loop sustainability management network that mitigates environmental harm.

Beyond waste management, the collaboration yields reciprocal operational advantages by ensuring the safe and efficient processing of discarded tyres. The two entities are also initiating joint research to devise methods for improving tyre efficiency, prolonging product service life and enhancing the sustainability of recycling protocols. These operational synergies are designed to transform logistical and manufacturing processes into more environmentally conscious operations.

The scope of the agreement further encompasses community-focused projects, including the B-SAFE programme for driver safety training and the Bridgestone Nature Conservation initiative for biodiversity protection. These activities collectively strive to foster a safer society and are anchored in the Bridgestone E8 Commitment, specifically the principles of Ecology and Empowerment. Through this integrated approach, Bridgestone aims to solidify its identity as a Sustainable Solutions Company, delivering enduring value and trust for future generations.

Akihito Ishii, Managing Director, Thai Bridgestone Co., Ltd., said, “This marks another important milestone for both organisations in strengthening our business relationship towards sustainability and social contribution initiatives. Climate change and resource management are challenges that no organisation can solve alone. Bridgestone firmly believes that collaboration with strong partners is a key starting point in creating sustainable value for our customers, society, the environment and future generations.”

Masato Tanabe, Managing Director, Nippon Express Logistics (Thailand) Co., Ltd., said, “The signing of this MOU marks an important milestone in our partnership. It also reflects our shared commitment to sustainability and our common aspiration to create long-term value for society. We see this initiative as the beginning of a new chapter in our partnership, and through our collaboration with Thai Bridgestone Co., Ltd., we look forward to steadily advancing meaningful initiatives. By deepening our contribution to local communities, we will continue working towards the realisation of a more sustainable future for the next generation.”

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