Continental has become the first tire manufacturer to use Vulkanox HS Scopeblue from Lanxess in the production of its tires. The ISCC PLUS-certified additive is a more sustainable version of the established Vulkanox HS (TMQ) antioxidant and is designed to protect rubber compounds during vulcanization from oxygen and heat. According to the companies, the overall chemical structure of the Scopeblue grade is unchanged compared to the conventional product, so tire makers do not need to adapt their production processes. Lanxess reports a cradle-to-gate carbon footprint that is more than 30 percent lower, achieved by using bio-circular acetone as feedstock and renewable energy in manufacturing. The collaboration supports Continental's materials strategy and aligns with its target of using over 40 percent renewable and recycled materials in its tires by 2030.
"At Continental Tires, we are continuously working to improve the environmental performance of our products. Collaborations like the one with Lanxess and the use of innovative rubber additives such as Vulkanox HS Scopeblue, help us move closer to our goal of using over 40 percent renewable and recycled materials in our tires by 2030," said Steffen Ryssel, Head of Purchasing at Continental Tires.
Dr. Jens-Hendrik Fischer, Head of Lanxess's Rhein Chemie business unit, added: "We are delighted that Continental, a premium manufacturer, has chosen our Vulkanox HS Scopeblue for its products. This shows that our innovative additives are recognized and valued in the industry. With solutions like these, we support our customers in developing the best possible products while achieving their climate goals."
Lower carbon footprint via mass balance
Lanxess developed Vulkanox HS Scopeblue to address growing demand for more sustainable rubber chemicals. The product carries the Scopeblue label, which denotes either a particularly low carbon footprint or a high share of circular raw materials. Production is carried out in Germany in an ISCC PLUS-certified, mass balance-based setup that attributes bio-circular feedstock to the finished additive. The company calculates the product's carbon footprint using a cradle-to-gate approach that includes Scope 1 direct emissions, Scope 2 indirect emissions from purchased energy and relevant Scope 3 upstream emissions.
Additive performance in tire compounds
For tire manufacturers targeting high durability and long-term performance, the use of antioxidants is critical. Vulkanox HS Scopeblue protects rubber compounds during vulcanization against oxidative and thermal influences, supporting thermal stability in the early stages of processing and contributing to consistent performance throughout the tire's service life. In addition, the additive is characterized by low volatility and a low tendency to migrate. Because the chemical structure is unchanged versus the standard Vulkanox HS, integration into existing formulations and process conditions does not require adjustments.
Continental is the first tire manufacturer to use Lanxess’s new Vulkanox HS Scopeblue rubber additive in the production of its tires. This is the more sustainable, ISCC PLUS-certified version of the proven additive Vulkanox HS (TMQ). Photo: Lanxess
