How Continental is Ensuring a More Responsible Supply Chain

Continental recently achieved a notable milestone at its Korbach plant in Germany, earning the noteworthy International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS.

Known for producing car and bicycle tyres as well as advanced high-performance tyres, Korbach has become is the fourth Continental site to obtain such a distinction, underscoring the organisation's adherence to supply chain sustainability standards. This includes efficient sourcing documentation and the incorporation of sustainable materials.

Specifically, the certification highlights the effective traceability of the raw materials used, ensuring they meet stringent sustainability criteria.

Continental's facilities in Portugal, China, and Slovakia have also achieved this certification, which is integral to Continental's long-term sustainability goals set for 2050, promoting the traceability of sustainable materials sourced from renewable and recycled origins. ​​​​​​​

To attain such recognition, Continental rigorously adheres to the mass-balance approach. This method is vital for transitioning towards a bio-based and circular economy, integrating increased volumes of recycled and bio-based resources in the production processes.

Utilising the mass-balance approach, the company can precisely track the quantities of materials across the entire value chain, ensuring accurate reporting of the sustainable materials' proportion.

Pioneering sustainability in tyre manufacturing

By 2030, Continental aims to set a benchmark in environmental and social responsibility among tyre manufacturers, with a broader objective to achieve complete climate neutrality by 2050.

To realise this vision, the company actively integrates innovative technologies and sustainable practices across its operations. This includes the design phase, material sourcing, operational processes, product usage and waste management, placing a strong emphasis on substituting traditional materials with sustainable alternatives.

Continental has ambitious plans for the materials used in its tyres, targeting more than 40% composition from renewable and recycled resources by 2030. Prospective materials for future tyres include agricultural waste products like rice husk ash and sustainably produced carbon black, as well as recycled steel.

Jorge Almeida, Head of Sustainability at Continental, articulates the importance of certifications like ISCC Plus: “We are consistently increasing the amount of renewable and recycled materials in our tyres. Our ambition is to roll out the mass-balance approach to all of our tyre plants worldwide."

The Korbach plant remains at the forefront of exploring alternate material and manufacturing innovations, validated further through the production of the Urban Taraxagum, a tyre made using dandelion rubber. This not only ensures minimal transport distances but also boosts local production efficiencies within the supply chain.

Klaus Ohlwein, Head of the Korbach plant, adds: "Our ISCC PLUS certification, as well as our latest step – the use of recycled PET bottles in series production – are proof of our consistent implementation here in Korbach. Our high-performance tyres not only deliver outstanding performance but also increasingly support the bio-based and circular economy.”

Decoding the ISCC PLUS

Established in 2010, the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification functions as a globally-recognised certification system that prioritises sustainability within supply chains. It focuses on enhancing traceability, advancing climate-friendly solutions, curtailing deforestation and fostering holistic sustainability practices.

Sustainability in the supply chain plays a crucial role in addressing global climate change, with ISCC serving as a key element in promoting responsible resource usage and production methods worldwide.

The ISCC actively participates in the United Nations Global Compact, the largest corporate sustainability initiative globally, helping to translate ambitious environmental standards into practical actions that benefit supply chains across various sectors.

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