German autoparts maker Continental has inaugurated its new tire plant, ContiLifeCycle, in Hannover-Sticken, Germany.
Claimed to be the first globally, the new plant integrates an advancede facility for retreading bus and truck tires with an industry-scale rubber recycling unit.
Continental executive board member of and tire division head Nikolai Setzer said that when they started this project, their aim was to bring their LifeCycle solution closer to new tire production.
"Within a timeframe of less than 18 months, we planned and built a plant that not only catered to necessities, but pushed the boundaries of what is possible.
"We have put all of our knowledge from tire engineering and manufacturing into the ContiLifeCycle Plant and thus reached a new level in terms of product performance and characteristics," Setzer added.
The new retreading plant will have a projected annual capacity of 180,000 retreaded tires once reached full capacity.
Continental commercial vehicle tires business unit head Andreas Esser said that for them, the ContiLifeCycle Plant serves as a competence center for their world-wide LifeCycle business.
"Our unique team of R&D, Manufacturing, Engineering as well as Quality Management departments here in Sticken develops and improves solutions for our other LifeCycle centers, such as Petaling Jaya - Malaysia, Cuenca - Ecuador, and Morelia - Mexico," Esser added.
"Furthermore, we established an on-site training facility, the ContiLifeCycle Academy, in the plant for both internal and external staff on different topics of retreading."
The company has also developed a recycling process for the tread powder that arises during retreading.
