Continental will showcase three new tyres for the bus and truck segment at IAA Transportation 2024, 17-22 September, in Hanover. The premium tyre manufacturer is focusing on efficient and sustainable solutions optimised for electric vehicles.

Visitors to the Continental booth will experience the new Conti EfficientPro 5 truck tyre, which boasts a 10 percent improvement in rolling resistance compared to its predecessor. It offers excellent energy efficiency, is rated with the EU tyre label Class A, and has outstanding braking performance.

Continental will also showcase its most sustainable tyre for city traffic to date: the Conti Urban NXT, which recently entered pilot production. Composed of an extremely high proportion of renewable, recycled, and ISCC PLUS mass balance-certified materials, coming in at 59%, its low rolling resistance makes it a game changer for electrified commercial vehicles.

With the Conti EcoPlus HT3+, Continental will present the latest iteration of its innovative trailer tyre, specifically designed for trailers with an electrified drive axle.

“We are continually making our tyre solutions for commercial vehicles more sustainable and efficient both in terms of materials and on the road,” says Holger Lange, Head of Research and Development for Truck and Bus Tyres at Continental, adding: “The Conti EfficientPro 5 offers excellent energy efficiency, reducing consumption, lowering fleet costs and helping to protect the environment. The Conti Urban NXT is Continental’s most sustainable commercial-vehicle tyre to date.”

Conti EfficientPro 5: A New Benchmark in Efficiency

Continental has drastically cut the rolling resistance of the Conti EfficientPro 5 by 10 percent compared to its predecessor within Class A of the EU tyre label. This significant technological leap will help customers save fuel and further reduce CO2 emissions.

The tyre’s tread’s special rubber compound, combined with its rigid profile, helps reduce rolling resistance, extending mileage by around five percent compared to the predecessor model. The tyre’s profile provides a secure grip and superior tracking. Its especially low external rolling noise level (EU tyre label Class A) means that the Conti EfficientPro 5 is EU Taxonomy-eligible.

“We have improved the rolling resistance of the Conti EfficientPro 5 by a full 10 percent compared with its predecessor within Class A of the EU tyre label. This is a major technological leap that will help our customers save fuel and further reduce CO2 emissions,” says Leo Kolodziej, Head of the Original Equipment Business for Truck Tyres for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at Continental. The experts at Continental have achieved this without making any sacrifices in terms of running and wet braking performance. “This is impressive because very low rolling resistance and very high braking performance are competing aims under the laws of physics,” explains Kolodziej.

The Conti EfficientPro 5 is designed for trucks with both combustion engines as well as hybrid or purely electric drives. It will be commercially available from the start of 2025, initially in the two sizes 315/70 R 22.5 and 385/55 R 22.5. Additional sizes will be added in due course.

Ford, Iveco, Scania, and Volvo, manufacturers of long-haul trucks, will be exhibiting the tyres on their display vehicles at this year’s IAA.

Conti Urban NXT: Boosting Sustainability in City Traffic

According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), one in six new buses exceeding 3.5 tons that were registered in 2023 were partially or fully electrified. Continental is responding to this trend with the Conti Urban NXT – a new original equipment tyre designed for city transport. It combines a high proportion of sustainable materials with exceptional energy efficiency, making it ideal for electrified city buses and delivery vehicles. The pre-production version of the all-season tyre will be on display at IAA Transportation, with a market launch planned for 2025. It will initially be available in the size 275/70 R 22.5.

With up to 59 percent renewable, recycled, and ISCC PLUS mass balance-certified materials, the Conti Urban NXT has a very high share of sustainable materials. Up to 25 percentage points more than the average share of renewable and recycled materials used in Continental’s commercial-vehicle tyres. For the Conti Urban NXT, Continental has allocated up to 24 percent ISCC PLUS mass balance-certified materials, i.e., sustainable synthetic rubber and carbon black from bio-based, bio-circular, and/or circular raw materials. The proportion of recycled materials is three percent. This includes recycled rubber originating from mechanically processed end-of-life tyres as well as recycled steel. The Conti Urban NXT has a sustainable raw materials content of 32 percent, consisting mainly of natural rubber.

The Conti Urban NXT’s rolling resistance has been reduced by 25% versus the comparable Conti Urban HA3 model. This translates into lower CO2 emissions for combustion-engine vehicles and an increased battery range of up to 15 percent for electric vehicles. High-density interlocking sipes ensure a secure grip, superior tracking, and excellent braking performance, both in wet conditions and throughout the tyre's service life. The specially developed rubber compound reduces tyre abrasion and enhances resistance against cuts, cracks, chips, and breakage. The mileage of the Conti Urban NXT is also around 15 percent higher than the predecessor model. Boasting very low external rolling noise, the Conti Urban NXT is an EU Taxonomy-eligible tyre and thus perfectly tailored to the requirements of electric vehicle fleets.

Conti EcoPlus HT3+: Designed for Electric Drive Axles

Another development Continental is set to showcase at this year’s IAA Transportation: the Conti EcoPlus HT3+. This tyre – which is specifically designed for trailers with electrified drive axles – offers exceptionally balanced performance in terms of traction and rolling resistance and an especially high load capacity. The tyre’s features are specifically geared to new-generation trailers featuring fully electric drive axles. Accordingly, the tyre’s load capacity has been increased by 500 kilograms per axle to enable a constant payload despite the higher net weight resulting from the battery. The company had unveiled the prototype back in 2022. Continental is the exclusive development partner for this innovative trailer concept from the company Trailer Dynamics. The aim is to hybridise tractor trucks with battery-powered electric trailers, reducing their fuel consumption and thus their CO2 emissions.

The siping tyre tread profile of the Conti EcoPlus HT3+ has been designed specifically with traction in mind, while an innovative rubber compound provides a balanced combination of grip and mileage. As a result, the tyre ensures maximum safety in all weather conditions. The tyre, which can not only be used on electrified trailer axles but also fitted as an all-round tyre, will initially be available in the sizes 355/50 R 22.5, 385/65 R 22.5, and 385/55 R 22.5. Market launch is scheduled for early 2026.

Continental's new tyre developments presented at IAA Transportation are in keeping with its “Lowest Overall Driving Costs” (LODC) advisory approach. The goal is to provide the transport industry with an effective lever to withstand increasing cost pressure and make its fleets more sustainable.

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Apollo Tyres’ Chennai Plant has formalised a multi-institutional partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with five esteemed engineering colleges from Kerala, Odisha and Tamil Nadu. This strategic alliance is designed to fortify the nexus between industry and academia, with a focused objective of developing a robust, industry-ready talent pool to meet future sector demands. The collaboration represents a significant investment in the human capital pipeline, directly linking academic output with corporate needs.

The collaborating institutions in this forward-looking initiative are SASTRA University, SRM TRP Engineering College, JJ College Of Engineering & Technology, Ma'din Academy and Nilachal Polytechnic. The partnership’s framework encompasses a comprehensive suite of initiatives aimed at mutual development. For students, it provides a structured pathway to employment, including placement assurances during their final year and enhanced campus hiring opportunities. To bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application, the programme will facilitate organised industry visits to Apollo’s manufacturing facility, offering students firsthand exposure to modern production processes. Complementing this, a series of expert-led sessions, technical lectures and seminars will be delivered by in-house professionals from Apollo Tyres, ensuring the curriculum remains aligned with evolving industry practices.

This symbiotic engagement yields significant strategic benefits for all stakeholders. Students gain invaluable industry awareness and confidence, while academic institutions enhance their curriculum's practical relevance. For Apollo Tyres, the initiative enables the early identification and nurturing of prospective talent, effectively streamlining recruitment and fostering a positive perception of manufacturing careers.

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German chemicals group Wacker Chemie lowered its full-year outlook after third-quarter profit fell by nearly a quarter, hit by weak demand and intense competition from China.

The Munich-based company, which makes silicones and polysilicon for semiconductors and solar panels, reported earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of 112 million euros ($121.6 million) for the July-September period, down 23 percent from 145 million euros a year earlier.

Sales fell 6 percent to 1.34 billion euros from 1.43 billion euros, weighed down by lower prices and unfavourable currency effects.

The results were broadly in line with analyst expectations, which had forecast sales of 1.37 billion euros and EBITDA of 101 million euros, according to Vara Research.

Wacker swung to an operating loss of 20 million euros in the quarter, from a profit of 30 million euros a year ago, whilst net income turned negative to 82 million euros, compared with a profit of 34 million euros.

“The chemical industry is under pressure – worldwide, but in Europe in particular. The economic situation is tense, and market demand is weak. At the same time, the market environment is changing, and competitive pressure is high – especially from China. And this is something that we are experiencing at WACKER as well,” Chief Executive Christian Hartel said.

“Like many other companies, we had to lower our full-year forecast in the middle of this year. Even though we closed Q3 in line with market expectations, sales and earnings were again down year on year in almost all business divisions,” he said.

Wacker launched a comprehensive cost-cutting programme in October aimed at achieving significant savings in production and administration, with implementation planned to begin in the first quarter of 2026.

The company now expects full-year sales at the lower end of its previously forecast range of 5.5 billion to 5.9 billion euros, with EBITDA in the lower half of its 500 million to 700 million euro range. It also anticipates a negative net result for the year, significantly below the previous year.

The company’s silicones division, its most significant business, saw sales decline 7 percent to 673 million euros, whilst EBITDA fell 19 percent to 86 million euros. The polysilicon unit, which serves both solar and semiconductor markets, reported a 40 percent drop in EBITDA to 18 million euros, as low prices and exchange-rate effects offset strong hyperpure polysilicon performance in semiconductors.

Wacker’s workforce declined to 16,616 employees at the end of September from 16,724 three months earlier.

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Finnish tyre manufacturer Nokian Tyres said it would cut 80 permanent positions and temporarily lay off about 650 workers as part of measures to improve financial performance and operational efficiency.

The company has begun personnel negotiations affecting roughly 1,700 permanent white-collar positions across its global operations, including group functions and all business units.

The temporary layoffs will affect blue-collar and white-collar staff at passenger car and heavy tyre production facilities in Nokia, Finland, for up to 90 days per person. These measures could be implemented by the end of 2026.

The permanent job cuts, targeting white-collar roles, may take effect by late 2025, the company said.

Nokian Tyres employed approximately 4,400 people worldwide at the end of September, with 2,045 staff based in Finland.

The negotiations will commence immediately in line with local labour legislation in each country where the company operates.

The announcement comes as tyre manufacturers face pressure from volatile raw material costs and shifting demand patterns in key markets.

Nokian Tyres, known for its winter tyres and premium products, has been restructuring its operations following geopolitical challenges that affected its Russian production and sales.

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Capitalising on a period of significant growth, Nexen Tire is strategically introducing two new passenger tyres, the N’Priz S and the N’Fera Sport, through a comprehensive two-stage launch. This initiative represents one of the company's most substantial product introductions, designed to engage key audiences from media to consumers through immersive, hands-on experiences.

The launch commenced earlier this fall with an exclusive Ride N’ Drive event at the Illinois Autobahn Country Club. There, participants had the opportunity to personally evaluate the new tyres across a variety of driving conditions, including autocross challenges and highway simulations. This direct testing allowed them to assess critical performance attributes such as handling and comfort while also facilitating valuable interaction with Nexen’s own engineering and product development teams.

The campaign now advances to a broader stage, moving to the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Nexen Tire America will host an extensive activation featuring a 240-foot booth where the N’Priz S and N’Fera Sport will be prominently displayed. The exhibit will include original equipment vehicles, motorsports trucks competing on Nexen tires and a dynamic schedule of live discussions with company leadership, technical experts and brand partners on the specially created Nexen Live stage. This platform will also serve to showcase the brand's latest progress in areas like tyre design simulation and electric vehicle development.

These two tyres are engineered to meet the distinct needs of different drivers, thereby broadening Nexen’s market reach. The N’Priz S is a grand-touring all-season tyre that is also EV-compatible, focusing on delivering a quiet, comfortable ride and reliable traction for daily commuting and long-distance travel. It incorporates advanced AI performance prediction and virtual simulation technology to optimise tread design and reduce cabin noise, alongside a specialised rubber compound aimed at enhancing tread longevity and overall efficiency.

In contrast, the N’Fera Sport is an ultra-high-performance summer tyre built for drivers seeking precision steering response and superior control in warm conditions. Its design prioritises direct feedback, confident wet-road braking and stability while still maintaining usability for spirited street driving. The N’Fera Sport is scheduled to arrive at dealers this fall, with the N’Priz S following in early 2026. Together, these launches underscore Nexen’s commitment to technological innovation and creating meaningful connections with the driving public.

Brian YoonSeok Han, CEO, Nexen Tire America, said, “Nexen Tire’s growth in the US is being fuelled by innovation and experience. We wanted people to feel what sets these new tyres apart, including how they handle, how they perform and how they represent our continued commitment to excellence. Ride N’ Drive gave us that direct connection with our partners, and now SEMA allows us to share that story on a global stage.”

Theresa Kapper, Director of Marketing for Nexen Tire America, said, “Launching the N’Priz S and N’Fera Sport through both Ride N' Drive and SEMA us to connect every piece of our story, from innovation and testing to excitement and scale. It’s about showing not only what these products can do, but what Nexen stands for as a brand. This rollout reflects the growth, energy and ambition driving Nexen Tire forward in the US market.”

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