Hinnerk Kaiser
Head of Product Development Bus and Truck Tires EMEA
Newly developed tire with optimized compound and structural components
In what way does the Conti Eco Gen 5 add to the Continental product portfolio?
We have streamlined our product portfolio to align it with our customers’ requirements of tires used in long-distance and regional haulage. The Conti Eco Gen 5 fits in perfectly here thanks to its optimized rolling resistance and extra reserves of traction. Digitalization is also a highlight feature of the new tire line. All Generation 5 tires come with an RFID chip and can be factory fitted with latest-generation tire sensors as an option, making them an integral part of the ContiConnect digital tire management solution.
What advances have been made with regard to the traditional trade-off between rolling resistance and mileage?
With the help of state-of-the-art simulation tools, we were able to put the Conti Eco Gen 5 through an extremely efficient and targeted development process. By using a new tread design we managed to combine the robustness of a long-distance tire with the traction capabilities of a regional one. For this, we employ a thicker base compound with low rolling resistance and a tread compound designed for optimized mileage. Optimized compounds are likewise used for the sidewall and inner layer. The geometry of the bead design has been modified. The drive axle tire now comes with a new tire contour whose ground contact patch in the shoulder area lowers rolling resistance. Overall, we have succeeded in harmonizing the conflicting objectives of rolling resistance and mileage with the Conti Eco Gen 5.
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important for fleet operators when selecting tires. What does the new Conti Eco Gen 5 have to offer in this regard?
When developing tires, low rolling resistance and a long tire life are the key levers for improving the carbon footprint of fleets and increasing their sustainability. Sustainability takes many forms for tires. The three most important are reducing their CO2 contribution during the use phase, maximizing tire life and recycling the materials used. In the case of the Conti Eco Gen 5 it was important for us to make improvements in terms of rolling resistance and durability without compromising on the recyclability of the casings. The casing is likewise designed for optimum rolling resistance, while also being fully suitable for retreading. This is because consideration was also given to the tire’s retreadability during the development process.
How does the Conti Eco Gen 5 perform in tire tests?
The Conti Eco Gen 5 achieves a noise rating of A. This, together with the improved rolling resistance figures, means the tire meets the requirements of the EU Taxonomy system of classification that has been in place since 2022. Consequently, fleet operators who make a suitable choice of vehicle and fit the Conti Eco Gen 5 will be able to declare their transport activities to be ‘environmentally sustainable’ as per the term’s EU-wide definition. The Conti Eco Gen 5 helps to meet the requirements of VECTO, improve vehicle efficiency and, last but not least, save toll charges.
What is special about the design of the Conti Eco Gen 5 tire?
We have redeveloped the Conti Eco Gen 5 from scratch. Many of its components feature new compound formulas. One of the standout characteristics is the improvement in the casing’s rolling resistance that has been achieved by redeveloping compound and structural elements. The casing is reusable, allowing the tire to have a second or even a third life. Retreaded tires will also benefit from the optimized compounds and their improved rolling resistance. This all serves to underline the product’s sustainability. The combination of full-width lamination, improved contact pressure distribution and traction-enhancing tread design allows this low-rolling-resistance product to be used in both long-distance and regional applications.
What is special about the tread compound of the Conti Eco Gen 5 tire?
When developing the tread compound, it was important for us to focus on both long-distance applications and operation on a regional level. We managed to find just the right combination of mileage, robustness, traction capabilities and low rolling resistance. These are characteristics that essentially conflict with one another. But by using new materials, we were able to redefine their overall interaction and harmonize them. The steering axle tires additionally employ a new base concept that improves rolling resistance, thereby making it possible to use a tread compound offering greater mileage.
So, the Conti Eco Gen 5 meets the market’s demand for a healthy balance between ecology and economy?
Precisely! Our customers need to prepare themselves for an increasing number of challenges in future. Higher fuel prices, driver shortages, additional legal requirements and toll charges will all hamper the profitability of logistics. Compared to previous versions, the Conti Eco Gen 5 boasts a significantly improved carbon footprint. At the same time, it helps to further reduce tire-related operating costs, so is in line with our Lowest Overall Driving Costs (LODC) approach. The Conti Eco Gen 5 was therefore developed with an eye on both its ecological and economical credentials.
Is the Conti Eco Gen 5 suitable for alternative drive systems?
Yes. Alternative drive concepts such as battery-electric or fuel-cell systems place high demands on a tire’s wear behavior, rolling resistance and acoustic properties. Our tire development process focused on all three of these criteria. As a result, the Conti Eco Gen 5 is ideally suited to these drive concepts.
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