How Continental is repurposing Extreme E tyres for the next generation
Continental has developed a cutting-edge programme to build a new basketball court in Hannover, Germany, out of recycled Extreme E racing tyres.
"Turning racing tires into living space" aims to give children from the surrounding area a safe and entertaining place to play, run, and train.
Continental has provided approximately 400 square metres of rubber paving stones as a donation, developed from the ground-breaking Extreme E CrossContact racing tyre, which was created to meet the challenges of a wide range of different terrains in the pioneering series.
Enno Straten, Head of Strategy, Analytics and Marketing, Replacement Tires EMEA at Continental, has said: "We are very pleased to support the project with paving stones made from our recycled tires here in Hanover. In this way, we are bringing the materials from the sustainable Extreme E electric racing series back into circulation and using them for a good cause.”
In its second year of partnership, Continental launched its most sustainable tyre ever, the second generation of the Extreme E CrossContact.
The application of old PET bottles, making up 100% of the tyre carcass, and a new silica material created from rice husks, a waste product from agriculture, pushes the boundaries in tyre technology ahead of plans to integrate the new technology into volume production of various Continental premium tyres later this year.
Continental’s partnership with Extreme E to develop this tyre is a fantastic example of a major manufacturer adapting to match a purpose driven mission, which now incorporates "turning racing tires into living space".
Ali Russell, Chief Marketing Officer at Extreme E, added: “This is a fantastic initiative from our partner Continental and one which is going to benefit so many people.
“To combat the climate crisis, creative thinking and a great deal of ingenuity is required to deliver the solutions necessary, and this initiative certainly achieves that.”
Through their impressive innovation, Continental has turned old Extreme E tyres into surface tiles, giving them a second life as the foundation of the high-level basketball court. This involved a particularly complex manufacturing process to ensure the converted tyres were safe and reusable.
The project supports the iSo initiative, BasKIDball, which uses sports to overcome social barriers. This includes creating basketball courts throughout Germany, so that young people can train together, regardless of age, origin, or school.
BasKIDball stands for values such as team spirit and trust, health, and fairness. With the social aspect playing a central role, it is fitting that Continental will support this approach with the help of Extreme E resources, as all involved stand for progression, sustainability and equality.
