Continental has concluded a long-term purchase agreement with Pyrum Innovations, a specialist in the thermolysis technology of end-of-life tires, for particularly high-quality carbon black (rCB) recovered from end-of-life tires.

Pyrum thermolysis involves the thermal decomposition of organic substances or rubber and plastic waste in the absence of oxygen. The process enables precise temperature and pressure control, which minimizes the risks during the thermolysis process (spark-free and airtight) and guarantees raw materials of a consistently high quality. These process conditions produce vapors that condense into oil at low temperatures, as well as permanent gas (gaseous hydrocarbon compounds) and coke.

The coke obtained in the Pyrum thermolysis process can be used in unground form, with a grain size of up to 4 mm; as a soil conditioner; substitute fuel; or filler. Further processing in a grinding plant enables Pyrum to produce high-quality recovered Carbon Black (rCB).

Pyrum rCB

Pyrum’s recovered Carbon Black (rCB) can be supplied in ground form in sizes from 7–36 µm. The reuse of carbon black in the production of new tires can help to reduce their carbon footprint by almost 80%.

Continental intends to use recovered carbon black in the series production of passenger car tires in the future. The two companies are thus intensifying their cooperation. The premium tire manufacturer had already signed a development agreement with Pyrum Innovations in 2022. Since then both companies share the common goal to further optimize and expand the recycling of end-of-life tires through pyrolysis.

Carbon black is an important raw material both for tire production and for the manufacture of other industrial rubber products. The use of carbon black in rubber compounds increases the stability, strength and durability of tires.

Carbon black recovered from end-of-life tires helps reduce the use of fossil raw materials and CO₂ emissions. In a passenger car tire from Continental, the soot content, giving the tire its black color, is between 15 and 20%, depending on the model. By using recycled carbon black, Continental is one step closer to its goal of using more than 40% renewable and recycled materials in its tires by 2030.

Recycled raw materials are becoming increasingly important in our tire production. To further increase the circularity of our products, we need to think differently. We need to move from an “end-of-life” to an “end-of-use” tire concept. This means that the end of a tire’s intended use phase must become the beginning of a new opportunity. Together with Pyrum, we are developing highly efficient processes to recycle as many components and materials as possible from an end-of-use tire back into our production cycle.

—Jorge Almeida, Head of Sustainability Continental Tires

Continental tires already contain recycled materials such as recycled rubber from mechanically processed end-of-life tires, recycled steel and recycled polyester from PET bottles, which otherwise often end up in incinerators or landfills.

Tire recycling requires advanced technologies and processes to separate, clean and recycle materials efficiently without compromising the safety and quality of the recycled tires or recycled materials.