The Tires Of The Future Could Be Made With Dandelions And Recycled Water Bottles

Dandelions are hated by countless homeowners, but they might find their way into the next-generation of eco-friendly tires.

As previewed by Continental’s latest concept, the tire of the future could be green as more than half of the raw materials used in the Conti GreenConcept are either recycled or come from renewable sources.

On the renewable side, the tire features bio-materials such as natural rubber from dandelions, silicate from the ash of rice husks, and vegetable oils and resins. This allows for a “significant reduction” of materials made from crude oil.

Also Read: Michelin Edging Closer To Making Tires From Recycled Plastic Bottles

That’s only part of the story as another 17 percent comes from recycled materials such as reclaimed steel and recovered carbon black. However, the most notable thing is the industry’s first use of polyester made from recycled plastic bottles. The polyester is used in the tire’s casing and Continental says more than 60 bottles can be reused to create a set of four tires. This idea isn’t limited to the concept either as the company is planning a gradual rollout of its ContiRe.Tex technology next year.

Besides being green, the tire is extremely lightweight as it tips the scales at a mere 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg). That’s up to 40 percent less than a conventional tire and the weight reduction was made possible by optimizing the tread pattern, utilizing a special sidewall, and opting for a new casing design with a “weight-optimized core.”

The concept tire was designed with eco-friendly vehicles in mind and its unique tread allows for an extremely low rolling resistance, which is “about 25 percent lower than class ‘A’ – i.e. the best possible rating – under the EU Tire Label system.” This could allow electric vehicles to gain a six percent improvement in range via the tires alone.

Speaking of the tread, it’s made with 100% Taraxagum natural rubber and the tire has been designed to be retreaded multiple times. This helps to maximize their eco-friendly credentials as the undamaged casing can be reused several times.

According to Continental’s David O’Donnell, the “Conti GreenConcept underscores our commitment to becoming the most progressive tire company in terms of environmental and social responsibility by the year 2030, and this ambition applies to every single link in the value chain.” He added, “sustainably sourced raw materials, lightweight design and tread renewal are the key ingredients in making future generations of tires more sustainable.”