Transformation Reducing the Carbon Footprint

Leading tire manufacturer Continental announced that it has reached a historic milestone in its global sustainability journey by completely phasing out the use of coal and heavy fuel oil at all of its tire plants worldwide.

Continental continues to decisively advance its transformation toward the use of renewable and recycled raw materials in order to reduce the environmental impact of tire production. As of January 2026, the company completed this transition across all 19 of its production facilities. By fully ending the use of coal and heavy fuel oil at all of its tire plants worldwide, the brand has switched to biomass, biogas, and electricity generated from renewable sources for steam production.

Highlighting that the future lies in renewable energy, Dr. Bernhard Trilken, Head of Manufacturing and Logistics at Continental Tires, said: “For us, coal is now a thing of the past. By diversifying our energy sources and generating our own energy at production sites, we have made our manufacturing processes far more independent and flexible.”

70% Reduction in Emissions

In addition to electricity generated from renewable sources, Continental also utilizes alternative fuels such as LPG and natural gas to ensure continuity of energy supply. In 2025, the company reduced its production-related greenhouse gas intensity by more than 10% compared to the previous year and by approximately 70% compared to 2019. Over the past four years, Continental achieved savings of around 180,000 metric tons of CO₂.

Sustainability Performance Recognized

This transformation across Continental’s production sites was also acknowledged by the global environmental reporting platform CDP. The company received an A- rating for its 2025 climate transparency and CO₂ reduction performance.

Having bid farewell to coal and heavy fuel oil, Continental is reducing its environmental impact while strengthening its operational resilience through a low-carbon production model. In line with its sustainability vision, the company continues to expand its renewable energy investments and shape a cleaner, more responsible future for tire manufacturing.