Recent analysis by ADAC of 160 tested products found Continental tires abrade 11% less material than the average competitor tyre.
Continental continues efforts to reduce tyre wear through new technologies, research, and industry initiatives. Recent analysis by ADAC of 160 tested products found Continental tyres abrade 11% less material than the average competitor tyre. This reduction lowers overall environmental impact and supports long-term sustainability goals tied to Continental tire wear research, it said.
A key driver of this work is research with the Technical University of Braunschweig. The team analyses tyre wear using a vacuum device mounted behind a driven wheel. Advanced particle sensors detect fine airborne particles behind the wheels and across the vehicle.
“Data on the quantity, size and structure of particles allows us to optimise tyre designs and rubber compounds even more precisely – without compromising on safety or performance,” said Dr. Matthias Haufe, head of material development and industrialisation at Continental Tires. “This not only advances our technology, but also prepares our products for upcoming regulations like the Euro 7 standard, which will introduce limits on tire wear emissions in the EU starting in 2028.”
Continental Tire Wear Research
Funded by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture, the OLRAP research project provides new insight into tyre-wear properties. The project’s full name is “Online Analysis of Airborne Tire Wear Particles at the Point of Origin and Differentiation from Other Sources.”
A specially equipped test vehicle designed by Continental collected particles in real-world driving. A vacuum device behind a driven wheel captured particles as they were emitted. This setup helped determine whether particles came from tyres, the road surface, or braking systems.
Particle Measurement and Data Correlation
Researchers mounted particle measurement instruments developed by TU Braunschweig at multiple vehicle locations. These included positions directly behind the wheels. The instruments collected time-specific data tied to speed, acceleration, road surface, and weather conditions.
Using a newly developed multi-sampler, researchers gathered samples linked to specific driving events. They compared particles from cornering maneuvers with those from straight-line driving in laboratory analysis.
Vehicle Testing Findings
“The highly complex experimental setup, with simultaneous measurements at different points on our test vehicle, generated vast amounts of data, helping us to better understand tyre wear,” said Dr. Benjamin Oelze, head of tire wear testing development at Continental Tires. “We identified clear correlations between particle concentration and speed profiles, as well as the impact of high longitudinal and lateral acceleration on tire wear.”
The findings may help optimise traffic flow and vehicle driving profiles. These changes could reduce emissions and improve environmental sustainability, Continental said.
Industry Initiatives and Tyre Design Focus
Continental co-chairs the Tire Industry Project (TIP). The initiative studies the environmental impact of tyres across their entire life cycle. The company also participated in the RAU project, led by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Research. That initiative developed a filtration system reported to capture up to 97% of solid particles beneath storm drains.
