ISCC Plus certificate for the Puhoi plant
The Continental production site in Puchov, Slovakia, has become the company's first truck tire plant to receive the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) Plus certificate, which confirms the transparency of raw material traceability. All materials are sourced from suppliers that meet environmental protection requirements, and Continental's facilities in Lousado, Portugal, and Hefei, China, have also previously received this certification.
According to Anton Watály, the plant manager in Puchov, obtaining the eco-certificate "confirms our commitment to ensuring high product quality and growth in the field of sustainable development".
The ISCC Plus certification is based on the so-called "mass balance", which takes into account the amount of fossil and recycled raw materials used, as well as materials from renewable sources. The ecological compatibility of raw materials is tracked throughout the supply chain, and Continental emphasizes that it is constantly working to increase its share in the materials used.
"The certification of our production processes is the result of continuous work in the field of sustainable development," noted Jorge Almeida, Director of Sustainable Development at Continental's Tires division. "We are currently transitioning to the implementation of circular economy and sustainable bioeconomy principles, with the goal of making the 'mass balance' approach mandatory at our tire plants around the world".
ISCC Plus certificates are recognized internationally and are obtained on a voluntary basis by companies in various industries, such as food manufacturers, animal feed producers, chemical products, plastics, packaging, textiles, and more. To pass the certification, it is necessary to comply with standards in the field of ecosystem protection, labor rights of employees, and more.
According to the "mass balance", Continental's UltraContact NXT passenger car tires were previously certified, which are made using eco-materials. For example, synthetic rubber is obtained, among other things, from biologically derived raw materials, and tech-carbon is partially produced from oil using circular processes.
"Continental is constantly working to maximize the share of eco-friendly materials in the volume of raw materials," the company notes. "In particular, materials from agricultural waste, such as rice husks, as well as dandelion rubber, recycled rubber, and raw materials from PET bottles can be used".
By 2030, Continental aims to use more than 40% of "green" raw materials, and by 2050, its share should increase to 100%, which will allow the company to achieve complete climate neutrality.
The Puchov plant, which is part of the Continental Tires Slovakia division, was opened in 1950. Today, the plant employs more than 500 people, and its product range includes tires for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and trucks. In addition, the Puchov plant is home to a research and development center where tire development is carried out, and the ContiTech division is based, which produces a range of automotive components, such as timing belts, generator pulleys, and more.