German tyre manufacturer demonstrates 11% reduction in material abrasion compared to competitor average, whilst developing innovative real-time particle detection methods
Continental is intensifying its efforts to reduce tyre wear through the deployment of innovative technologies and comprehensive research initiatives, with recent data confirming significant progress in minimising environmental impact.
According to a recent ADAC analysis covering 160 tested products, Continental tyres abrade 11 per cent less material than the average competitor tyre – providing clear evidence of the effectiveness of the company's technological advances and development strategies.
A key driver of this progress has been the company's intensive research programme. Continental has partnered with the Technical University of Braunschweig to develop an innovative method for analysing tyre wear that employs a specially adapted vacuum device mounted behind a drive wheel. Combined with advanced particle sensors, the system enables detection of even the finest airborne particles behind the wheels and at other points on 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," explains Dr Matthias Haufe, head of Material Development and Industrialisation at Continental Tyres. "This not only advances our technology but also prepares our products for upcoming regulations like the Euro 7 standard, which will introduce limits on tyre wear emissions in the EU starting in 2028."
The measurement technique was developed as part of the recently completed OLRAP research project ("Online Analysis of Airborne Tyre Wear Particles at the Point of Origin and Differentiation from Other Sources"), funded by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture.
The project utilised a specially equipped test vehicle designed by Continental for real-world driving conditions. The vehicle was fitted with a specialised vacuum device behind a driven wheel to collect particles as they were emitted, allowing researchers to determine whether particles originated from tyres, road surfaces or brakes.
Particle measurement instruments developed by TU Braunschweig were mounted at various points on the vehicle, including directly behind the wheels, to collect detailed, time-specific data. These measurements were correlated with factors such as driving dynamics, road surface conditions and weather conditions – essential steps towards scientifically accurate tyre wear analysis.
Using a newly developed multi-sampler device, researchers collected samples related to specific driving events, enabling laboratory comparison of particles gathered during cornering versus straight-line driving.
"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," says Dr Benjamin Oelze, head of Tyre Wear Testing Development at Continental Tyres. "We identified clear correlations between particle concentration and speed profiles, as well as the impact of high longitudinal and lateral acceleration on tyre wear."
These findings could help optimise traffic flow and vehicle driving profiles to reduce emissions and improve environmental sustainability.
Continental has maintained a longstanding commitment to research projects focused on tyre wear. The tyre manufacturer co-chairs the Tyre Industry Project (TIP), an initiative studying the environmental impact of tyres throughout their lifecycle. Continental was also the only tyre manufacturer to participate in the RAU project ("Tyre Wear in the Environment"), a German Federal Ministry of Research initiative that developed a filtration system capable of capturing up to 97 per cent of solid particles beneath storm drains.
Continental acknowledges that a certain level of tyre wear remains unavoidable if safety-critical features – such as wet braking performance – are to remain uncompromised. Studies demonstrate that driving style and road conditions influence tyre wear up to three times more than tyre design itself.
However, the company continues to focus its efforts on the design factors within its control. The EcoContact 6 tyre line, for instance, generates 30 per cent less wear per kilometre and delivers 20 per cent more mileage compared with its predecessor – representing measurable improvements in environmental impact and efficiency achieved without sacrificing safety or performance.
The insights gained from Continental's research feed directly into the company's tyre development process, enabling targeted improvements whilst maintaining the grip and safety characteristics essential for modern vehicles.
Tagged with: tyre wear particles, tyre abrasion, Euro 7 tyres, particle measurement, Continental Tyres, ADAC tyre tests, vacuum sampling, TRWP, UNECE R117, sustainability in tyres
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