Continental's UltraContact NXT Wins German Innovation Award

Key Highlights:
•    Continental's UltraContact NXT wins German Innovation Award for its eco-friendly design.
•    Contains up to 65% renewable and recycled materials, a milestone for sustainability.
•    Incorporates 32% renewable materials like wood waste and rice husk ash.
•    Utilizes 5% recycled materials including rubber and steel.
•    Continental aims for over 40% renewable materials in tyres by 2030, driving sustainable innovation.

Continental's UltraContact NXT received the German Innovation Award in the category of 'Excellence in Business to Consumer: Transportation' from the German Design Council's jury. With up to 65 per cent renewable, recycled, and ISCC PLUS mass balance certified materials, the UltraContact NXT is Continental's most sustainable production tyre yet.

The UltraContact NXT is available in all sizes and has the highest rating ("A") from the EU tyre label for rolling resistance, wet braking, and outside noise.

Composition Highlights

The summer tyre composition includes 32% renewable raw ingredients. These include polymers derived from paper and wood industry waste, as well as silica from rice husk ash.

Approximately 5% of the UltraContact NXT is made up of recycled materials. These include recovered rubber from mechanically processed scrap tyres as well as recycled steel. 

The tyre's core is made of polyester fibres obtained by Continental's ContiRe.Tex technology from recycled PET bottles, which would otherwise end up in incinerators or landfills.

In addition, Continental uses up to 28% ISCC PLUS certified materials in the UltraContact NXT. The ISCC PLUS certified mass balance system promotes transparency and traceability across the supply chain by tracking raw material origins and qualities, ensuring compliance with sustainability criteria, and certifying the end goods. 

Overall, the UltraContact NXT combines high levels of renewable, recyclable, and mass-balance certified materials with optimal safety and performance.

"We are proud that the German Design Council has recognized our efforts for sustainability and innovation in the tyre industry with the German Innovation Award for the UltraContact NXT," said Maria Hanczuch, Continental's Head of Program Management Private Mobility Tyres.

"We regard ourselves as the most forward-thinking tyre producer when it comes to sustainability advancements. The UltraContact NXT, the first mass-produced passenger car tyre with such a high proportion of sustainable materials, is a significant step toward Continental's ambitious aims in this field," he added further.

Future Goals

Continental is trying to advance innovative technology and sustainable solutions throughout the value chain, from procuring sustainable resources to recycling used tyres. By 2030, the premium tyre manufacturer plans to use more than 40% renewable and recycled materials in its tyres.

Since 1953, the German Design Council has been one of the world's leading centers of competence in communication and knowledge transfer for design, branding, and innovation. Its present membership includes more than 330 businesses. 

The German Innovation Award recognizes goods, technologies, and services that pioneer new ground and provide solutions that stand out for their added value to users and the environment. The German Innovation Awards recognize creative achievements that break new ground and provide solutions based on their added value.

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CMV360 Says

The recognition of Continental's UltraContact NXT with the German Innovation Award highlights the growing importance of sustainability in the automotive industry. 

As concerns about environmental impact intensify, innovative solutions like these not only enhance brand reputation but also contribute significantly to a greener future.