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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Bridgestone Americas is preparing to introduce three new off-the-road tyres at the upcoming CONEXPO-CONAGG exhibition, showcasing advancements in durability, load capacity and application versatility across its Bridgestone and Firestone brands. The company’s booth will feature these latest innovations – the Bridgestone MasterCore V-Steel M-Traction Deep (VMTD), the Bridgestone V-Steel Rock Deep Ultra (VRDU) and the Firestone Multi Block T – alongside a broader selection of premium intelligent tyres engineered for equipment ranging from cranes and graders to haulers and loaders.

The Bridgestone MasterCore VMTD, a 27.00R49 tyre developed for 100-tonne haul trucks, represents the expansion of the company’s proprietary MasterCore technology into large-scale quarry applications. This new tyre features a traction-oriented tread pattern that delivers a 14 percent increase in tread depth compared to the conventional Bridgestone VMTP tyre, enhancing performance on difficult terrain. Its durable sidewall construction and narrow tread grooves contribute to a 10 percent extension in tyre life, while the MasterCore platform enables a 10 percent increase in load capacity and a two percent improvement in tonne-mile per hour and tonne-kilometre per hour metrics over the previous generation. With this launch, Bridgestone now offers two distinct tread patterns in the 27.00R49 segment, the other being the rock-patterned MasterCore VRDU introduced in mid-2025. The MasterCore VMTD will be available to fleets beginning in June, offered in four compound formulations including standard, cut resistant, ultra-cut resistant and heat-resistant options.

Also debuting at the show is a new three-star VRDU tyre in the 24.00R35 size, engineered with a rock tread pattern specifically for rigid dump trucks operating in quarry environments. This marks the company’s second three-star product in the large tyre segment and extends the hauling benefits of larger VRDU sizes to more compact applications. The tyre incorporates a stronger cord, enhanced casing structure and refined tread design that together yield a 15 percent increase in TMPH and TKPH compared to its predecessor. The new casing construction also provides more than an eight percent gain in load capacity relative to the two-star Bridgestone VRQP tyre. Its tread pattern incorporates slopes and centre grooves that improve wear characteristics while minimising heat generation during operation. This new VRDU size is scheduled for availability in 2027 and will replace the Bridgestone VRQP tyre in the company’s portfolio.

The Firestone brand introduces the Multi Block T radial tyre, designed for articulated dump trucks and wheel loaders, marking a new chapter in the brand’s 125-year legacy of durable products. This model replaces the Versabuilt AP and delivers a 10 percent improvement in cut resistance through strategically placed tie bars, robust steel cord construction and advanced compound formulations. The tyre features a 10 percent deeper tread depth combined with a new block design incorporating biting edges for reliable grip on challenging terrain. Its multi-star rating and non-directional pattern enhance application versatility and simplify tyre management, contributing to reduced operational costs. The Firestone Multi Block T will be available this summer in five sizes including 17.5R25, 20.5R25, 23.5R25, 26.5R25 and 29.5R25.

CONEXPO-CONAGG stands as the largest construction exhibition in United States, taking place from 3 through 7 March at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Bridgestone Americas will be exhibiting at booth 41633 in the West Hall.

Rob Seibert, President – Off the Road, Bridgestone Americas, said, "These three new tyres underscore our relentless focus on delivering premium products that help our customers operate more efficiently. Each tyre is engineered to deliver optimal performance in the most demanding environments, extending tyre life, reducing downtime and lowering total cost of ownership, helping our customers move more with less."

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Citira has taken another significant step towards becoming the leading tyre management provider in Northern Europe by acquiring Dekkservice Kvinesdal, marking its first service point acquisition in Norway. The well-regarded tyre shop has built a strong reputation since its establishment in 2000, serving both passenger car and heavy vehicle customers with consistent high-quality service and personal relationships.

Under the new arrangement, Dekkservice Kvinesdal will maintain its operations with the same team at the same location, ensuring continuity for its valued customers. The team will continue managing daily operations while gaining access to Citira's resources for continued development. Ivar Røyseland will become a co-owner of Citira as part of this strategic partnership that combines local expertise with broader organisational support.

David Boman, CEO, Citira, said, “It is a pleasure to welcome Ivar and the Dekkservice team to Citira. They have established a well-run tyre shop with a longstanding reputation in the industry as a trusted tyre service point, which has truly impressed us. The combination of strong expertise and local customer relationships makes them an ideal partner, and we are proud that they have chosen to join us. This marks an important first step as we pursue our ambition to build a nation-wide service network in Norway.”

Røyseland said, “When we started Dekkservice Kvinesdal, our goal was to build a tyre shop that customers could trust for timely and high-quality service. After more than 25 years, I am incredibly proud of the relationships we have built with customers and the team we have become. Joining Citira will now allow us to focus fully on further developing the business while leveraging the resources of a larger organisation, and it is exciting to do so as their first service point in Norway.”

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Recreatives Industries, the company behind the iconic MAX 6x6 Amphibious All-Terrain Vehicles, has unveiled a new proprietary tyre engineered specifically for its platforms. The TerraTread, available initially in a 23x11-8 size for the MAX 2 model, represents the largest original equipment tyre ever offered for that vehicle. Its expanded 23-inch diameter on an eight-inch rim provides increased ground clearance and a noticeably smoother ride. The design also delivers superior traction across diverse surfaces and enhances performance in water. According to the company, this new tyre substantially broadens the capabilities of both current and older MAX 2 vehicles while ensuring proper fit and boosting amphibious functionality.

Beyond the MAX 2 application, Recreatives Industries is developing a larger 25x12-10 TerraTread version intended for its MAX 4 and Buffalo Truck models. This larger tyre will utilise a 10-inch rim to preserve essential sidewall flexibility while improving flotation, overall stability and rugged off-road performance. The development of this larger TerraTread is a key component of the company's strategic plan, which includes a structured reintroduction of the MAX 4 and Buffalo Truck vehicles targeted for the middle of 2026.

The introduction of the TerraTread line underscores the company’s commitment to expanding its range of proprietary accessories and performance enhancements. These upgrades not only improve vehicle capability but also contribute to increased per-unit revenue. By engineering exclusive components tailored to its own vehicles, Recreatives Industries is strengthening its vertical integration and cultivating a more comprehensive ecosystem around the MAX brand. Initial stock of the new TerraTread tyres is anticipated to arrive during July and August of 2026, at which point they will be made available through the company's dealer network and its online store.

Andrew Lapp, CEO, Recreatives Industries, said, “Our TerraTread tyres were designed to elevate what MAX can do. The 23-inch TerraTread transforms the MAX 2 with additional clearance, improved ride quality and aggressive all-terrain performance. At the same time, the 25-inch development supports our forward platform planning as we position MAX 4 and Buffalo for expanded availability.”

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Apollo Tyres Ltd has officially opened a dedicated outdoor tyre testing facility in Ivalo, Finland, marking a major advancement in its global product development capabilities. Initially announced several months ago, the site became fully operational in December 2025 and underscores the company’s ongoing commitment to engineering high-performance winter and all-season tyres for international markets.

The inauguration was led by Vice Chairman and Managing Director Neeraj Kanwar, alongside Chief Commercial Officer Benoit Rivallant and Chief Technology Officer Daniele Lorenzetti. Their presence highlighted the strategic importance of the facility, which was established through a long-term collaboration with UTAC, a globally respected automotive testing and certification organisation. This investment strengthens Apollo Tyres’ ability to lead in the areas of innovation, safety and precision engineering.

Designed to address the complex demands of contemporary tyre development, the facility features snow and ice tracks that simulate diverse real-world winter conditions. It is equipped with advanced data collection systems to assess critical performance parameters such as braking, handling, traction and stability. The bespoke infrastructure enables comprehensive evaluation of tyre behaviour in extreme cold weather environments.

With full control over its winter testing schedule, Apollo Tyres now enjoys greater operational independence and flexibility throughout the season. This autonomy allows for more consistent testing under varied climatic conditions, faster development cycles and improved responsiveness to engineering requirements. By consolidating its winter testing operations at a single advanced location, the company has enhanced both efficiency and cost management.

The new setup enables engineering teams to conduct uninterrupted testing, resulting in quicker validation of new products, greater repeatability in results and reduced logistical demands. These operational improvements support the delivery of winter and all-season tyres that meet rigorous standards of safety, durability and performance.

Developed in line with current technical and legal norms, the facility is also built to accommodate future regulatory changes. Its adaptable infrastructure ensures alignment with evolving testing protocols and certification standards, allowing Apollo Tyres to stay ahead of industry requirements. As expectations for winter mobility continue to grow, this facility positions the company to consistently meet the needs of customers, partners, and regulators in the years ahead.

Kanwar said, “This inauguration is more than the opening of a facility, it is a clear demonstration of Apollo Tyres’ commitment to innovation, safety and performance excellence. With this investment, we are strengthening our ability to develop tyres that perform reliably in the most demanding winter conditions while maintaining exceptional year-round versatility.”

Rivallant said, “This facility is a great asset within Apollo Tyres. It is more than a tyre test facility, as it gives us also the possibility to invite our customers to be part of and experience winter testing for themselves. This will strengthen their insights in tyre development and performance.”

Lorenzetti said, “The launch of our dedicated outdoor tyre testing facility is a major step forward for our R&D capabilities. It gives us highly consistent, real-world data, enabling faster validation and quicker speed to market. Most importantly, it strengthens our ability to continuously improve tyre performance, safety and sustainability – delivering better products to our customers, faster.”

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