EcoVadis Recognises Continental’s Sustainability Performance in Tire Manufacturing

EcoVadis Recognises Continental’s Sustainability Performance in Tire Manufacturing

(IN BRIEF) Continental has achieved 84 out of 100 points in the latest EcoVadis Sustainability Rating, earning a gold medal and ranking among the top 5 percent of companies assessed worldwide. The company scored especially strongly in the environment and labour and human rights categories, with 86 points in each. The assessment reviewed areas such as climate measures, environmental management, sustainability reporting, certifications, sustainable procurement and related implementation processes. Continental highlighted progress in renewable and recycled tire materials, which reached 28 percent of purchased production materials in 2025, with a target of at least 40 percent by 2030. The company has also reduced tire production emissions by around 180,000 metric tons of CO₂ over four years and phased out coal and heavy fuel oil at all production sites.

(PRESS RELEASE) HANOVER, 22-Jul-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Continental has received a gold medal in the latest EcoVadis Sustainability Rating, achieving 84 out of 100 points and placing among the top 5 percent of companies assessed by EcoVadis worldwide.

The rating recognises the tire manufacturer’s sustainability performance across four key areas: environment, labour and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement.

This year marked the first time Continental was assessed in the “manufacture of rubber tyres and tubes” industry category. In previous years, the company had been evaluated under the “manufacture of parts and accessories” category.

Jorge Almeida, Head of Sustainability for Continental’s Tires group sector, said the result confirms the company’s strong performance even under a new industry classification with different assessment criteria.

“Even in our new industry category, with its different assessment criteria, we continue to rank among the top 5 percent of companies worldwide,” said Almeida.

He added that Continental’s particularly strong environmental score reflects the measures and management approaches the company has implemented to meet its sustainability targets, including the use of renewable and recycled materials and further emissions reductions at its plants.

Continental achieved its highest scores in the environment and labour and human rights categories, receiving 86 points in each.

As part of its assessment, EcoVadis reviewed factors including documented environmental measures, climate-change mitigation actions, management systems, reporting standards, sustainability policies and sustainable procurement practices.

The evaluation also considered certifications, sustainability reporting transparency and the implementation of related processes.

Continental said it has made progress in increasing the use of renewable and recycled materials in tire production.

In 2025, the company raised the share of purchased renewable and recycled production materials used in its tires to 28 percent. Continental aims to increase this figure to at least 40 percent by 2030.

Materials already used in Continental tires include polyester made from recycled PET bottles, recycled steel, silica derived from rice husk ash and synthetic rubber produced from recycled, renewable and circular raw materials.

The company is also expanding raw material traceability and uses certified supply chains, alongside mandatory sustainability requirements for direct suppliers.

Continental has also advanced its efforts to reduce emissions from tire production.

By switching to lower-emission energy sources, the company has cut absolute emissions from tire production by approximately 180,000 metric tons of CO₂ over the past four years.

At the beginning of 2026, Continental reached another milestone by fully phasing out the use of coal and heavy fuel oil at all of its production sites.

Since then, all Continental tire plants have used alternative energy sources to generate steam for tire production and heating.

These energy sources primarily include electricity from renewables, biomass and biogas, as well as liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas to support reliable energy supply.

EcoVadis has assessed corporate sustainability practices worldwide since its founding in 2007. Its Sustainability Rating provides an overall evaluation and awards medals to top-performing companies, including bronze, silver, gold and platinum.

Today, EcoVadis has a network of more than 150,000 rated companies and operates a collaborative platform that helps buyers and suppliers assess, monitor and benchmark supply chains with greater transparency.

Continental said sustainability is firmly embedded in its corporate strategy and acts as a driver of innovation as mobility and industry continue to transform.

The company said sustainable and responsible business strengthens its ability to innovate, identify risks and opportunities early, and support the change processes needed for long-term value creation.

Media Contact:

Laura Averbeck
Spokeswoman, Technology and Sustainability
+49 511 938-23614
laura.averbeck@conti.de

SOURCE: Continental