Continental and Security Matters (SMX) is an innovative technology platform dedicated to digital tracking using unchangeable chemical-based barcodes, successfully for the first time the marking substances of natural rubber in tires are undoubtedly verified throughout the production process. Both companies optimized dedicated marking technology for the use of natural rubber, aiming to improve transparency across the entire value chain of Continental tires and technology rubber products. The use of marking substances has special security characteristics and can be invisibly marked on natural rubber to mark its geographical source information. This means that, for example, responsible procurement of natural rubber and its origin can be validated at every stage of the supply chain until the customer is. By doing so, Continental further strengthens its pioneering role and is committed to increasing transparency in its supply chain. By 2050, all materials Continental uses in its tire production will come from responsible sources.
"We see great potential in marking technology. In the future, it will help us ensure that the natural rubber we use in tires is completely planted and procured in a responsible way," said Claus Petschick, head of sustainability at Continental Tires . “In the long run, we believe that marking technology can help sometimes highly complex processes in our supply chain be more transparent and verifiable. With Security Matters, we have an innovative partner to develop and experiment with marking technology around us.”
“With Continental, SMX will further improve transparency and sustainability and cyclicity in the natural rubber supply chain using markers, readers and digital technology .” said Haggai Alon, CEO of SMX.
In a successfully completed field test, the marking substance experiences and passed the true elasticity test. The substance is added to the responsible planted latex during harvest, not only withstands the intensive preparations involved in the production of natural rubber, but also withstands the tire manufacturing process itself.
In the manufactured tires, the data was retrieved using dedicated software and readers and was correctly explained. The appearance and performance of bicycle tires containing invisible marks remain the same.
Smallholder taught how to use the marking substance
In field testing, natural rubber grown in a joint project conducted by Continental and German development assistance agency "Deutsche Gesellschaf't für Internationale Zusammenarbeit" (GIZ) in the province of West Kalimantan, Indonesia, was used and provided with markings. The project focuses on education and digitalization as key to building a sustainable supply chain for natural rubber. Local small farmers were told how labeling substances work and at what concentrations they need to be added to the latex.
The future goal is clear: to use
on a large scale in rubber products Now that this technology has passed its first elasticity test, Continental plans to use this new marking technology on a larger scale in the future to purchase its rubber and integrate it into other rubber products. As part of this technological industrialization, it is conceivable to associate tags with the particularly tamper-resistant blockchain technology . This can provide additional support for tamper-free monitoring of quality standards and standards compliance along the complex natural rubber supply chain.
At the latest 2050, all Continental tires will be made of sustainable materials
Continental tires pursue a holistic approach to sustainable development at all stages of the tire value chain and set itself a mission to become the most advanced tire company in terms of environmental and social responsibility by 2030. By 2050, the company aims to use 100% sustainable production materials in its tires and hopes to achieve full climate neutrality throughout its value chain. Continental and Security Matters are both members of the industry initiative Global Sustainable Natural Rubber Platform (GPSNR), which connects businesses in the natural rubber industry with key players in civil society. As members, they are committed to actively improving the sustainability of the global natural rubber industry.
