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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A landmark supply agreement was formalised at the PIF Private Sector Forum 2026 in Riyadh to advance local manufacturing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) will provide polybutadiene rubber and carbon black to a joint venture established by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Pirelli. This partnership will supply the raw materials necessary to produce three and a half million tyres annually at a facility within the King Salman Automotive Cluster at King Abdullah Economic City.

This initiative marks a significant step for the NUSANED localisation programme by enhancing domestic content and establishing a comprehensive tyre production value chain within Saudi Arabia. The agreement is unprecedented as it enables the complete manufacturing of car tyres locally. It will result in the creation of a bespoke Saudi tyre brand specifically designed for passenger vehicles and regional car manufacturers, operating alongside the production of Pirelli-branded tyres.

The PIF Private Sector Forum serves as a vital platform connecting PIF-related companies, government entities and private firms to cultivate new partnerships. The event plays a crucial role in enabling the private sector to drive transformative projects. It facilitates the exploration of high-potential opportunities that support business expansion and contribute to shaping the nation's economic future, in direct alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

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Maxion Wheels South Africa played host to the Guinness World Record (GWR) Challenge4 team on 25 February 2026, marking a significant moment for the company’s local operations. The team is currently undertaking an ambitious attempt to secure their ninth world record by driving a fully electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz across six continents and through more than 75 countries. The vehicle is fitted with Maxion wheels, showcasing the company’s engineering capabilities in one of the most demanding electric vehicle journeys ever conceived.

The visit to the company’s light vehicle aluminium wheels plant near Johannesburg gave employees a firsthand opportunity to engage with the team and observe how Maxion’s advanced wheel technology performs under extreme global conditions. More than a technical showcase, the event highlighted the company’s central role in accelerating the global transition to electric mobility and its increasing contribution to South Africa’s own sustainable transportation evolution.

With worldwide EV adoption accelerating, Maxion Wheels continues to support its customers by delivering innovative steel and aluminium wheel solutions that prioritise functionality, safety and efficiency. This forward-looking approach is evident at the Johannesburg facility, where recent investments in solar energy underscore a firm commitment to environmentally responsible manufacturing. The integration of renewable power reinforces the company’s dedication to maintaining a sustainable and resilient industrial presence in the region.

The Challenge4 expedition, which began in July 2025, is scheduled to cover more than 80,000 kilometres across Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Americas. The team expects to complete the historic journey in the second half of 2026.

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Hankook Tire is preparing to drive excitement in the final stretch of TGL Presented by SoFi Season 2 as the tech-driven golf league approaches its regular-season climax. The concluding three matches are scheduled to take place from 1 to 3 March 2026 at the SoFi Center in Florida, marking a significant moment for both the league and its founding partner.

As the first Official Tire Partner and a Founding Partner of TGL, Hankook Tire has maintained a strong presence throughout the season, leveraging its global ‘Hankook’ brand across multiple platforms. From stadium LED displays to television commercials and live broadcast graphics, the brand has engaged golf fans around the world. This visibility aligns with Chairman Hyunbum Cho’s vision of ‘Innovative Technology’, through which the company seeks to merge mobility and sports while reinforcing its premium identity in approximately 150 broadcast markets.

The path to the championship is far from decided. The action begins on 1 March 2026 with a highly anticipated clash between Jupiter Links GC, co-founded by Tiger Woods, and the league-leading Boston Common Golf, backed by Rory McIlroy. This matchup is more than a meeting of celebrity owners; for the sixth-place Jupiter Links, a victory is essential to break into the top four and keep their playoff hopes alive.

The following day, Los Angeles and New York golf clubs face off in a contest with significant playoff implications. Both teams are locked in tight races with their counterparts, where tiebreakers like total holes won could ultimately decide their fate. Each squad understands that a commanding win is their best path forward. The regular season then concludes on 3 March 2026 with a rematch, as The Bay Golf Club and Jupiter Links GC battle to secure their positions, ensuring every shot until the final hole carries immense weight.

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Apollo Tyres Ltd recently marked the seventh edition of EK NAAM, its flagship programme dedicated to recognising and uplifting women entrepreneurs from underserved communities. The initiative, launched in 2019, has evolved into a significant platform that celebrates grassroots women leaders who drive community transformation and inclusive development through their resilience and vision. By spotlighting their achievements, Apollo Tyres reinforces its commitment to fostering gender equity and enabling sustainable livelihoods.

At this year’s ceremony, eight remarkable women were honoured as EK NAAM Change Agents for their outstanding leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. The awardees included Sahida Beevi, Seemamol S, Meera Appa, Pinki Ji, Manjulaben Patel, Kavita Ji, Gohil Dakshaben and Bahamuni Kisku. Their recognition followed targeted support and collaboration between Apollo Tyres and its NGO partners, underscoring the impact of structured interventions in empowering women at the grassroots level.

The event featured notable voices who enriched the discourse on equity and inclusion. Gregor Trumel, Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs and Director of The French Institute in India, spoke on the importance of diversity in strengthening societies and international partnerships. R Mahalakshmi, Chief Human Resources Officer at Apollo Tyres, reiterated the organisation’s dedication to inclusive growth, emphasising that supporting women entrepreneurs is essential for lasting community progress. A special interaction with Anjum Chopra, former captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, offered the audience valuable perspectives on leadership and determination.

The occasion also saw Apollo Tyres Foundation reaffirm its strategic alliance with Saral Jeevan India Foundation and Frontier Markets, aimed at expanding economic opportunities for rural women through digital platforms. Ajaita Shah, Founder and CEO of Frontier Markets, highlighted the vital role of women-led enterprises in fostering grassroots economic development. Additionally, a panel discussion titled ‘Justice in Action: Advancing Equity for Inclusive Futures’ called for moving beyond conversation to concrete systemic change, ensuring fairness and access for marginalised groups by embedding equity into policy and practice.

Through EK NAAM, Apollo Tyres continues to advance its sustainability goals in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, positioning women as key drivers of change and community resilience.

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