Continental has completed a multinational shift away from coal and heavy fuel oil in its tyre manufacturing sites, utilising a tailored mix of biomass, biogas, and renewable electricity to significantly reduce greenhouse‑gas emissions and enhance factory resilience.
Continental has completed the switch away from coal and heavy fuel oil at every tyre production site, a move the supplier says marks a major step in cutting process-related emissions and improving factory resilience. According to Continental’s announcement, the company’s 19 tyre plants now generate the steam used in manufacturing and heating from a mix of biomass, biogas and electricity from renewable sources, with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas retained where needed to secure continuous operations.
The change, completed in January 2026, follows a multi-year programme of site investments and supplier coordination. Continental reports it purchased electricity exclusively from renewable sources from 2020 and has expanded on-site generation where feasible. The company says those measures helped lower its production greenhouse‑gas intensity by more than 10% in 2025 compared with 2024 and by roughly 70% versus 2019, and that switching fuels has avoided about 180,000 metric tonnes of CO₂ from tyre production over the last four years.
The shift reflects technical and logistical challenges unique to tyre manufacturing, where steam-driven heating processes such as vulcanisation are energy‑intensive and require reliable, high-temperature thermal output. Continental describes its approach as a regionally tailored “energy mix”, driven by local infrastructure and fuel availability, with the overarching aim of replacing the highest‑carbon heat sources while keeping plants operationally robust.
Company examples illustrate the varied pathways taken. In Gqeberha, South Africa, the plant has replaced coal with biomass while using LPG to cover residual demand, according to Continental. At Kalutara in Sri Lanka, the installation of a second biomass boiler last year enabled the site to stop using heavy fuel oil and produce steam exclusively from renewable biomass. In the Czech Republic, Continental worked with the regional energy supplier to pivot the local power plant’s fuel mix from coal towards biomass and natural gas, enabling Otrokovice to receive predominantly biomass‑based steam and improving the district‑heating fuel mix for neighbouring communities.
Industry observers and analysts have noted the significance of replacing coal and heavy fuel oil in industrial steam systems, given the long lifetimes and capital intensity of thermal plant. According to BusinessGreen, Continental’s move is among the more comprehensive examples in the tyre sector of decarbonising process heat at scale. Electrification of heat-intensive steps, where technically viable, and increased use of lower‑carbon fuels are both cited by the company as levers for further reductions.
Continental framed the decision as part of a broader sustainability push. Henning Mühlenstedt, head of Future Technologies and Sustainable Infrastructure at Continental Tires, said the company had “significantly reduced our production‑related CO₂ emissions, thanks to continuous investments in electrification and changing the energy sources used for heat generation at our plants worldwide,” according to the company release. Dr Bernhard Trilken, head of Manufacturing and Logistics, is quoted as saying: “For us, coal and heavy fuel oil are a thing of the past. The future increasingly lies in renewable energies.”
The company also points to external validation: Continental reports that the environmental non‑profit CDP awarded it an A‑ rating in 2025 for climate transparency and emissions‑reduction measures. That recognition underlines the governance and reporting elements that accompany operational changes, a critical factor for corporate buyers and investors scrutinising decarbonisation claims.
For buyers and fleet operators focused on industrial decarbonisation, Continental’s transition offers three practical takeaways. First, achieving zero coal/heavy‑fuel use in steam systems typically requires multiple, locally adapted solutions rather than a single technology. Second, combining renewables procurement with on‑site generation and lower‑carbon gaseous fuels can preserve reliability while cutting carbon. Third, aligning with regional energy suppliers can multiply benefits beyond factory gates by greening district energy networks.
Continental’s declaration does not, however, imply the end of work. The company continues to emphasise further electrification where process compatibility allows and ongoing expansion of renewables capacity. As industrial players assess pathways to decarbonise process heat, Continental’s phased, site‑specific model will be watched as a practical example of shifting long‑standing thermal processes away from the highest‑carbon fuels while maintaining production continuity.
- https://trucksmag.co.za/continental-phases-out-coal-and-heavy-fuel-oil-as-energy/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.continental.com/en/press/press-releases/20260302-zerocoalandheavyoil/ – As of January 2026, all Continental tyre plants have transitioned to alternative energy sources, including biomass, biogas, and electricity from renewable sources. Plants also use alternative fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas to ensure a constant energy supply. This shift has led to a reduction in process-related CO₂ emissions and increased operational resilience. Dr. Bernhard Trilken, head of Manufacturing and Logistics at Continental Tires, stated, ‘For us, coal and heavy fuel oil are a thing of the past. The future lies in renewable energies.’ ([continental.com](https://www.continental.com/en/press/press-releases/20260302-zerocoalandheavyoil/?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.tyrenews.co.uk/news/continental-drops-coal-and-heavy-fuel-oil-at-all-tyre-plants – Continental has fully phased out coal and heavy fuel oil across all its tyre production sites worldwide, completing the transition in January 2026. The company now generates steam for manufacturing tyres and heating using a mix of biomass, biogas, and renewable electricity, supplemented by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas as needed. This change has led to a reduction in process-related CO₂ emissions and increased operational resilience. Dr. Bernhard Trilken, head of Manufacturing and Logistics at Continental Tires, commented, ‘For us, coal and heavy fuel oil are a thing of the past. The future increasingly lies in renewable energies.’ ([tyrenews.co.uk](https://www.tyrenews.co.uk/news/continental-drops-coal-and-heavy-fuel-oil-at-all-tyre-plants?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.tyrepress.com/2026/03/continental-phases-out-tyre-production-with-coal-heavy-fuel-oil/ – In 2026, Continental achieved a significant milestone in its global sustainability strategy by fully phasing out coal and heavy fuel oil across all tyre production sites. The company now uses alternative energy sources, including biomass, biogas, and renewable electricity, to generate steam required for manufacturing tyres and heating. This transition has led to a reduction in process-related CO₂ emissions and increased operational resilience. Dr. Bernhard Trilken, head of Manufacturing and Logistics at Continental Tires, stated, ‘For us, coal and heavy fuel oil are a thing of the past. The future increasingly lies in renewable energies.’ ([tyrepress.com](https://www.tyrepress.com/2026/03/continental-phases-out-tyre-production-with-coal-heavy-fuel-oil/?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.businessgreen.com/news/4526378/tyre-manufacturer-continental-phases-coal-heavy-fuel-oil-production-plants – Tyre manufacturer Continental has successfully transitioned all 19 of its factories away from coal and heavy fuel oil, having switched to alternative and renewable energy sources to generate the steam required for manufacturing tyres and heating. This move is part of the company’s broader sustainability efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions and increase operational resilience. Dr. Bernhard Trilken, head of Manufacturing and Logistics at Continental Tires, commented, ‘For us, coal and heavy fuel oil are a thing of the past. The future increasingly lies in renewable energies.’ ([businessgreen.com](https://www.businessgreen.com/news/4526378/tyre-manufacturer-continental-phases-coal-heavy-fuel-oil-production-plants?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.aftermarketnews.com/continental-phases-out-coal-and-heavy-fuel-oil/ – Continental has reached an important milestone in its global sustainability strategy by fully phasing out coal and heavy fuel oil across all tyre production sites. Since January 2026, all plants have adopted alternative energy sources, including biomass, biogas, and electricity from renewable sources, to generate the steam required for manufacturing tyres and heating. This transition has led to a reduction in process-related CO₂ emissions and increased operational resilience. Dr. Bernhard Trilken, head of Manufacturing and Logistics at Continental Tires, stated, ‘For us, coal and heavy fuel oil are a thing of the past. The future lies in renewable energies.’ ([aftermarketnews.com](https://www.aftermarketnews.com/continental-phases-out-coal-and-heavy-fuel-oil/?utm_source=openai))
- https://trucksmag.co.za/continental-phases-out-coal-and-heavy-fuel-oil-as-energy/ – As of January 2026, all Continental tyre plants have transitioned to alternative energy sources, including biomass, biogas, and electricity from renewable sources. Plants also use alternative fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas to ensure a constant energy supply. This shift has led to a reduction in process-related CO₂ emissions and increased operational resilience. Dr. Bernhard Trilken, head of Manufacturing and Logistics at Continental Tires, stated, ‘For us, coal and heavy fuel oil are a thing of the past. The future lies in renewable energies.’ ([trucksmag.co.za](https://trucksmag.co.za/continental-phases-out-coal-and-heavy-fuel-oil-as-energy/?utm_source=openai))
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The article is based on a press release dated March 2, 2026, from Continental AG, announcing the completion of their transition away from coal and heavy fuel oil at all tire production sites. This is the earliest known publication of this information, indicating high freshness. ([continental.com](https://www.continental.com/en/press/press-releases/20260302-zerocoalandheavyoil/?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from Dr. Bernhard Trilken and Henning Mühlenstedt, both from Continental Tires. These quotes are consistent with those found in the press release dated March 2, 2026, confirming their authenticity. ([continental.com](https://www.continental.com/en/press/press-releases/20260302-zerocoalandheavyoil/?utm_source=openai))
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The primary source is a press release from Continental AG, a major multinational corporation. The article also references reputable publications such as BusinessGreen and Tyrepress, which have reported on the same topic, indicating a high level of source reliability. ([businessgreen.com](https://www.businessgreen.com/news/4526378/tyre-manufacturer-continental-phases-coal-heavy-fuel-oil-production-plants?utm_source=openai))
Plausibility check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims made in the article align with known industry trends towards sustainability and decarbonisation. The specific details about Continental’s transition to alternative energy sources and the reduction in CO₂ emissions are plausible and consistent with the company’s previous sustainability initiatives. ([continental.com](https://www.continental.com/en/press/press-releases/20260302-zerocoalandheavyoil/?utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The article is based on a recent press release from Continental AG, announcing the completion of their transition away from coal and heavy fuel oil at all tire production sites. The information is corroborated by reputable sources, and the claims are plausible and consistent with known industry trends. No significant concerns were identified regarding freshness, quotes, source reliability, plausibility, paywall status, content type, or verification independence.
