Tyre manufacturer Continental has opened a new plant in Germany, said to be the world's first integrated facility for retreading bus and truck tyres.
The ContiLifeCycle plant is located in Hannover-Stöcken and houses a proprietary, industrial-scale rubber recycling unit.
The aim of the project was to be able to produce retreaded tyres with the same product characteristics as new tyres. Designed and built in 18 months, the retreading factory will turn out 180,000 retreaded tyres per year when operating at full capacity.
Continental is recycling the tread powder that arises during the retreading process for use in tyre compounding. Tread buffings will also be recycled in a move that cuts waste by more than 80%.
The new plant is also home to an on-site training facility, the ContiLifeCycle Academy, where staff can learn more about retreading.