Continental Develops Technology to Minimize Odors Related to Tire Production

The process of tire manufacture involves the use of chemical components that can smell noxious. Even if you are miles away from a tire factory, the sweet and acrid smell of rubber in the air would signal the proximity of a tire plant. Now, Continental has come up with innovative technology to minimize the odors associated with tire production and make life easier for those who live and work close to tire manufacturing units.

In fact, Continental has already spent over 10.5 million Euros to set up this equipment at its plant in Timisoara, Romania. The equipment has been in place from October. In the first week of December, a team from the environmental biotechnology firm Braunschweiger Umwelt-Biotechnologie carried out tests and calibration of the equipment to ensure that it would work at optimum level.

The tests carried out from December 1 to December 4 revealed that the equipment installed at the plant was successful in reducing the odors associated with tire production by up to 80 per cent, based on preliminary results.

Continental AG had set up the EUR 370 million greenfield plant, Continental Tires Timisoara back in 1998, with production beginning at the plant at the turn of the century. The group has invested some EUR 370 million in the factory.

Last year, the branch of Continental that operates in Romania, Continental Automotive Products, had a turnover of almost EUR 600 million and a net profit of EUR 134 million. The Timisoara plant is Continental’s biggest business in Romania.