About the Lousado Plant
Continental's state-of-the-art production plant
Continental's production facility in Lousado, Portugal, is an example of state-of-the-art tire manufacturing driven by the company's commitment to innovation and sustainability.
- Located in Lousado, Portugal
- Employees: approx. ~2700
- Passenger and Light Truck Tires (PLT) and Commercial Specialty Tires (CST)
The tire plant in Lousado started its operations in 1990 as one of Continental's most modern tire plants after a complete transformation of the former “Mabor” production facility. In 2017, Continental re-entered the agricultural business by starting to expand its passenger tire production in Lousado with a state-of-the-art agricultural tire production facility. With a significant investment of 49.9 million euros in 2017, the agricultural tire production hall was built in less than two years. Today, the Lousado plant produces tires for passenger cars and off-road vehicles including agricultural, port and earthmoving tires. Continental's re-entry in 2017 into the agricultural tire business was driven by its own in-depth knowledge of the development, production and distribution of specialty tires. With more than 30 years of history in Portugal, relying on it’s tire manufacturing tradition and innovation tire manufacturing technology Continental is a reliable partner of the automotive industry that focuses on tradition and innovation in both.
Product Portfolio
- PLT: 14” to 22” ContiSeal & ContiSilent, NXT
- CST: AGRO: 20”, 24”, 26”, 28”, 30”, 32”, 34”, 38”;42”, 46”, 50”
- OTR 24”, 25”, 29”, 33”, 35”
Specialty Tires production at the Lousado plant
The high-tech facility produces robust, long-lasting agricultural, port and earthmoving tires that incorporate advanced technologies such as innovative bead technologies (see technology factsheets for further details). In 2019, the Lousado facility, recognized as one of Continental's most efficient, was expanded with a new production hall dedicated to manufacturing radial off-the-road (OTR) tires, including port and earthmover (EM) tires larger than 24 inches. The plant also includes a research and development center and an Evaluation and Test Center dedicated to continuous quality testing and advancements in tire technology.
Sustainability at the Lousado plant
Continental aims to be the most progressive tire company in terms of environmental and social responsibility.
By 2030, Continental aims to produce more than 40 percent of its tires from renewable and recycled materials. Looking further ahead, the company has also committed to using 100 percent sustainable materials in its tires by 2050 at the latest. The Lousado plant is part of this effort and is Continental's frontrunner in terms of sustainability.
The Lousado plant has been awarded the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS, confirming its adherence to strict sustainability standards and transparency in raw material traceability. This international recognition underscores Continental's goal of using 100 percent sustainable materials in its tire products by 2050.
The plant's strategic investments and innovative processes underscore its key role in Continental's growth and commitment to excellence in tire manufacturing. It also demonstrates that even very large tire plants can achieve CO2-neutral production. This is made possible by an innovative electric steam boiler that converts electricity into steam with virtually no losses. Electricity is generated partly from the plant's own rooftop photovoltaic systems and partly from the grid.
About Continental & Group Sector Tires
Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent, and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. Continental generated sales of €41.1 billion in 2023 and currently employs more than 200,000 people in 56 countries and markets.
Tire solutions from the Tires group sector make mobility safer, smarter and more sustainable. Its premium portfolio encompasses car, truck, bus, two-wheel, and specialty tires as well as smart solutions and services for fleets and tire retailers. Continental has delivered innovative excellence and top performance for more than 150 years now and is one of the world’s largest tire manufacturers. In 2023, the Tires group sector generated sales of €14 billion. It employs more than 56,000 people worldwide and has 20 production and 16 development locations.