Continental Ends Coal Use in Tire Production, Boosts Renewable Energy
According to Continental, the German tire giant has fully eliminated coal and heavy fuel oil from its global tire manufacturing plants as of January 2026. This marks a major step in the company’s sustainability journey, replacing these traditional energy sources with biomass, biogas, renewable electricity, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and natural gas.
The switch targets the steam generation and heating operations crucial for tire production, especially vulcanization. Over the past four years, this transition has cut approximately 180,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions linked to tire manufacturing.
Dr. Bernhard Trilken, Continental Tires’ head of Manufacturing and Logistics, emphasized the shift: “Coal and heavy fuel oil belong to the past. Our future depends increasingly on renewable energies. By using a smart combination of energy sources—mostly renewable and ideally produced onsite—we make our manufacturing processes more independent and resilient.”
Since 2020, Continental has sourced all its electricity from renewable providers, while steadily expanding its own clean energy production capabilities. This change addresses a major energy challenge in tire making, where heat-intensive steps like vulcanization have historically relied heavily on fossil fuels.
Moreover, the company has integrated advanced electric technologies that enhance flexibility and energy efficiency in these critical processes.
This announcement aligns with Continental’s comprehensive global sustainability strategy and reinforces its position as a pioneer in environmentally responsible tire manufacturing.
