Continental taps Solvay for rice husk ash silica in tires

Hanover, Germany – Continental is increasing its use of sustainable fillers, including rice-based silicas, in the production of tires, the German group has announced.

As part of this effort, Continental is using silica from Asian rice farming and Italian risotto rice production, manufactured by Solvay in Italy.

In an 8 July statement, the German group said the method of silica production from biomass was more energy-efficient than conventional production processes.

As a result, the switch to silica from rice husk ash supports circular economy goals and contributes to a more sustainable value chain.

Traditionally obtained from quartz, silica partially replaces carbon black as a filler and can improve tire efficiency and braking distances by “almost 50%” compared to conventional fillers, according to Continental.

Silica in tread compounds also helps reduce rolling resistance, lowering energy consumption and CO? emissions.

In addition to sustainable silica, Continental said it also sources more sustainable carbon black for use in tires.

These include carbon black materials produced from bio-based alternatives such as tall oil and materials made using pyrolysis oil from end-of-life tires (ELTs).

In addition, Continental uses recovered carbon black (rCB), obtained through ELTE pyrolysis processes.

The group is currently under a long-term offtake agreement with German ELT pyrolysis company Pyrum for the supply of rCB, used in the production of forklift tires.

The two companies are working to extend the application of rCB to other tire types.

Continental said the share of sustainable materials in its tires averaged 26% in 2024 and is expected to increase by 2–3 percentage points in 2025.

By 2030, the manufacturer aims to raise the proportion to over 40%.