Continental has recently launched the UltraContact NXT, marking a significant milestone in their journey towards sustainability. This new premium summer tire, produced in Lousado, Portugal, is hailed as Continental’s most sustainable tire yet, with up to 65 percent of its composition stemming from renewable, recycled, and ISCC PLUS mass balance certified materials. It sets a new standard in the industry by combining an unprecedented level of sustainable materials without sacrificing safety or performance.
Significantly, the UltraContact NXT boasts the highest EU tire label ratings across all sizes for rolling resistance, wet braking, and exterior noise, achieving an “A” grade in each category. This achievement underscores Continental’s commitment to not only enhancing environmental sustainability but also ensuring maximum safety and efficiency for drivers.
The tire’s rubber compound is notably innovative, incorporating bio-based silica derived from agricultural waste, specifically the ash of rice husks. This process is less energy-intensive, highlighting a move towards more eco-friendly manufacturing practices. Natural rubber, a key component due to its strength and durability, remains an essential part of the tire’s makeup, emphasizing the blend of traditional and innovative materials to achieve high performance.
The UltraContact NXT also features a special logo indicating its use of recycled materials, which make up to five percent of the tire. This includes recycled rubber from end-of-life tires and recycled steel, as well as polyester fibers reinforced using Continental’s innovative ContiRe.Tex technology. This technology recycles PET bottles, which would otherwise contribute to landfill waste, into high-performance fibers for the tire carcass, further enhancing the tire’s sustainability profile.
Incorporating up to 28 percent ISCC PLUS mass balance certified materials, such as sustainable synthetic rubber and carbon black, the UltraContact NXT exemplifies Continental’s commitment to transparency and traceability in its supply chain. These efforts are part of Continental’s broader strategy to incorporate over 40 percent renewable and recycled content in its tires by 2030 and to transition to 100 percent sustainable materials by 2050.
The UltraContact NXT is designed to cater to a wide range of vehicles, including those with electric and combustion engines, ensuring compatibility with popular models like the Kia Niro, VW ID.3, Mercedes-Benz EQA, and Tesla Model 3, among others. With the EV Compatible logo, it promises the highest label efficiency and optimum mileage performance, making it a forward-thinking choice for today’s diverse automotive landscape. This tire is not only a testament to Continental’s innovative capabilities but also a step towards a more sustainable future in automotive mobility.