Continental Unveils Eco-Friendly Tough RuNR Air Springs with Reduced CO2 Emissions

Continental Unveils Eco-Friendly Tough RuNR Air Springs with Reduced CO2 Emissions

(IN BRIEF) Continental has launched Tough RuNR air springs, which significantly reduce CO2 emissions by using a new compound of natural rubber and ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) instead of synthetic rubber. This innovation, to be showcased at the IAA Transportation 2024 in Hanover, Germany, enhances the air springs’ performance under extreme climate conditions. The initiative is part of Continental’s broader strategy to develop more sustainable and circular rubber products for commercial vehicles, utilizing recycled, renewable, and bio-based materials.

(PRESS RELEASE) HANOVER, 29-Jul-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Continental has introduced Tough RuNR air springs, a new product made with a material compound that significantly reduces the carbon footprint. By replacing the synthetic rubber commonly used in air springs with a combination of improved natural rubber and ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), Continental has achieved a more than 50 percent reduction in CO2 emissions for the rubber compound. Tough RuNR air springs not only offer enhanced environmental benefits but also perform exceptionally well under extreme climate conditions, withstanding both high heat and severe cold.

Continental plans to showcase the Tough RuNR air springs and its broader sustainability initiatives at the IAA Transportation 2024 in Hanover, Germany, starting September 17. The company’s material experts will present their comprehensive strategy for creating more sustainable air springs, which includes the use of recycled, renewable, and bio-based materials. Dr. Kevin Borck, head of Marketing and Strategy Industrial Solutions EMEA at Continental, highlighted the company’s commitment to sustainability, emphasizing their material competence, experience, and economic sensibility in improving product carbon footprints.

The Tough RuNR air springs are designed to offer a perfect blend of material properties, providing dynamic performance and protective characteristics. Traditionally, manufacturers had to choose between natural rubber, which is resistant to cold climates, and chloroprene rubber, which is resistant to high temperatures, ozone, and UV light. Continental’s new compound, incorporating high-performance EPDM, offers resistance to both extreme cold and heat, enhancing material longevity and resilience in tough environments.

Marc Leinemann, head of Product Platform Air Springs at Continental, stated, “Tough RuNR not only demonstrates our ability to make products greener but also showcases our commitment to leveraging sustainable material evolution to enhance our products and customer applications.”

Continental emphasizes that Tough RuNR air springs represent the beginning of their journey toward more sustainable and circular rubber products for commercial vehicles. The company is well-equipped to continue this journey, with plans to improve the environmental impact of air springs through the increased use of recycled materials, enhanced recyclability, and bio-based materials.

*Note: The carbon footprint reduction is based on Continental’s own calculations, comparing the new product to the rubber bellow of an original equipment air spring made from chloroprene rubber.

Media Contact:

Oliver Heil
Spokesperson EMEA
ContiTech
+49 6196 87-2681
+49 6196 87-79-2681
oliver.heil@continental.com

SOURCE: Continental AG