Continental has said it has achieved CO2-netural production at its Lousado ‘mega plant’ in Portugal, with capacity of more than 18 million tires per year.

The company says it has utilised an electric boiler capable of generating steam from green electricity, such as solar, instead of gas.

The thermal energy turns raw rubber into flexible and elastic rubber.

By 2040 at the latest, Continental wants to switch production in all tyre plants to CO2-neutral energy sources.

Dr. Bernhard Trilken, Head of Manufacturing and Logistics at Continental Tires said: “In Lousado, we are demonstrating that even very large tire plants can achieve CO2-neutral production.”

The UltraContact NXT, the most sustainable series tire to date, is produced in Lousado.

He continued: "We are preparing all our plants so that they can use as much renewable energy as possible. The commissioning of our electric steam boiler in Lousado is the start of an exciting learning curve."