Tag: sustainability

Continental Bags Award For “Tire Manufacturer of the Year” And Recognized For Environmentally Friendly Tire Production

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Continental has been awarded “Tire Manufacturer of the Year” at this year’s Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence. The premium tire manufacturer received a further honour for its tire plant in Lousado, Portugal, which has produced tires CO2-neutrally since last year. This makes Continental the only tire manufacturer to win two of the prestigious awards, outperforming the competition as “Tire Manufacturer of the Year” as well as in the category “Environmental Achievement of the Year – Manufacturing”. The awards were bestowed as part of the Tire Technology Expo on March 4 at the exhibition center in Hanover. They are regarded as some of the top honours in the industry.

“We are especially proud to be the only manufacturer to be honored twice at the Tire Technology Awards in an extremely competitive field,” says Edwin Goudswaard, Head of Research and Development at Continental Tires. “Both awards highlight our strong commitment to sustainable tire development and manufacturing. In such a highly competitive market, this success demonstrates our innovative prowess and our ability to actively shape the future of the industry.”

Competition in both categories was fierce. As “Tire Manufacturer of the Year,” Continental outperformed competitors from the USA, Italy, and France. This marks the fourth time Continental has received this title – most recently in 2022.
Sustainability efforts are becoming an increasingly important focus for the industry, and therefore for the awards. By naming Continental “Tire Manufacturer of the Year” for 2024, the jury of 27 independent industry experts acknowledged Continental’s ongoing achievements on the road to greater sustainability. The projects considered in their deliberations included increasing the share of sustainable materials through recycled PET bottles at further Continental plants, expanding the plant in Rayong, Thailand, according to the highest energy-efficiency standards, obtaining the international sustainability certification ISCC-PLUS for its plants in Lousado, Portugal, Puchóv, Slovakia, and Hefei, China, as well as upgrading the tire plant in Hefei with automation technology in line with state-of-the-art sustainability standards.

Continental has also repeatedly impressed the jury in award categories that specifically recognize environmentally friendly development and production measures. In 2024, for example, the company took top spot in the category “Environmental Achievement of the Year – Tire Design” with its sustainable production of the tire UltraContact NXT. This year, Continental won the prize in the “Manufacturing” category for the sustainability measures at its tire plant in Lousado, Portugal. Since 2024, the plant has been testing a CO2-neutral production process that advances the company’s ambition to achieve carbon neutrality. Thanks to a fully electric steam boiler, Continental generates the steam using both in-house produced solar power and renewable energy from the grid. Steam is needed to heat the rubber compound for the tires during the so-called vulcanization. During this process, raw rubber is turned into a flexible, elastic form. In the tire industry, a large proportion of the consumed energy is used for generating steam. Previously, the Lousado tire plant relied exclusively on natural gas for steam generation. With an annual production capacity of 18 million tires, the plant in Lousado is considered a mega plant. Continental is aiming to switch all of its tire plants to fully carbon-neutral production processes by 2040 at the latest.

The Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence have been bestowed since 2008 as part of the Tire Technology Expo in Hanover each spring. The prizes span 13 categories honoring the latest innovations in tire technology and major advances on the road to a more sustainable tire industry. The award ceremony is coordinated by the industry magazine “Tire Technology International.”

Bridgestone India Introduce Turanza 6i New Premium Tyre For Premium Passenger Vehicles

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Bridgestone India has launched its new generation tyre Bridgestone Turanza 6i for the passenger vehicle segment. Turanza 6i is the result of previously announced expansion in the passenger radial business. The tyre, specifically developed for Indian roads, provides premium comfort ride experience, with superior fuel efficiency and wear life, making it a well-rounded premium offering from Bridgestone. 

Bridgestone Turanza 6i is available in 36 SKUs (Stock Keeping Units) ranging from 14 inches to 20 inches.  It is targeted for premium vehicles covering SUVs, sedans, hatchbacks and CUVs. The launch of this new premium tyre for premium vehicles illustrates Bridgestone’s commitment to the “Make in India” initiative of the Government.

With this launch, Bridgestone brings to India its global proprietary Enliten technology enabling ultimate customisation by providing a unique value proposition as per the growing new needs of the market, while also enhancing the base performance parameters required by Indian consumers. Turanza 6i, with Enliten technology provides premium comfort ride experience, through a smooth and quite ride, while enhancing fuel efficiency and wear life.

Turanza 6i meeting both general performance demands and the specific requirements of electric vehicles by way of low noise, better fuel efficiency and superior wear life, is also EV Ready.

“TURANZA 6i shows our commitment to offer the best technology for the fast-growing Indian market. This is a success of our planned investment strategy to bring global leading tyre technologies to the Indian mobility sector,” said Mr. Hiroshi Yoshizane Managing Director, Bridgestone India. He further said, “Bridgestone’s proprietary ENLITEN technology incorporated in product design, enables us to provide a unique value proposition of ‘Premium Riding Comfort’ as per the growing new needs of the market, while also further enhancing the basic performance desired by Indian consumers including long lasting tyre life and better fuel efficiency. We are very much delighted to introduce the new TURANZA 6i for our consumers.”

“Bridgestone has globally been on the forefront of tyre technology, and this is now showcased in India through our new offering in the passenger car segment”, said Rajarshi Moitra, Chief Commercial Officer of Bridgestone India, “TURANZA 6i is a result of our commitment to customers towards providing premium comfort through superior quality. Catering to Premium Vehicles segment, TURANZA 6i will be available in our premium outlets across India.”

Bridgestone continuously works on improving its product range to serve the evolving needs of consumers. Bridgestone has been inspired to introduce new tyre models into the Indian market by the changing vehicle landscape in India. This strategic move also allows Bridgestone to cater to the growing demand for premium range offerings, positioning the brand as a leader in the market.

Motovolt Launches The Multi-Utility M7 E-Scooter

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 (L-R)  – Dr Soumitra Mohan, IAS, Secretary, Department of Transport, Government Of West Bengal, Mr Andreas Zurwehme, CEO, eROCKIT, Germany, Renowned Actor, Mr Abir Chatterjee, Mr Tushar Choudhary, Founder & CEO, Motovolt Mobility Pvt Ltd, Mr Snehasis Chakraborty, Hon’ble Minister Of Transport, Government Of West Bengal  and  Ms Barbara Voss, Consul General of Germany at the launch of Motovolt M7 – India’s first multi -utility e-scooter in Kolkata

Motovolt Mobility Pvt Ltd, has announced the launch of the Motovolt M7. This multi-utility e-scooter (MUSe) marks the company’s entry into the high-speed electric scooter segment. Infused with German technology, the M7 sets a new standard for safety, quality, comfort, and sustainability.

Earlier this month, the Motovolt M7 was launched by Mr Snehasis Chakraborty, Hon’ble Minister Of Transport, Government Of West Bengal in the presence of Dr Soumitra Mohan, IAS, Secretary, Department of Transport, Government Of West Bengal, Ms Barbara Voss, Consul General of Germany in Kolkata, Tollywood actor, Mr Abir Chatterjee, Mr Andreas Zurwehme, CEO, eROCKIT, Germany and Mr Tushar Choudhary, Founder & CEO, Motovolt Mobility Pvt Ltd.

Designed with sustainability at its core, the M7 reduces plastic use, opting for a blend of efficient metals. Its modular design aims to enhance travel convenience, featuring an intelligently crafted rear section for carrying loads with ease. The M7’s seating is ergonomically designed, supported by a double cradle heavy-duty mild steel frame that accommodates a payload of up to 180 Kg ensuring stability and durability.

The M7 battery, a robust 3kWh unit, boasts advanced LFP cell chemistry, making it durable and safe with over 1000 charge cycles. It comes encased in aluminium, adhering to AIS 156 standards (IP67), ensuring it is both fire and waterproof. With the in-house design and packaging, the battery is portable and can be easily carried and charged anywhere, offering a range of 166 km in IDC mode (ARAI certified). The M7L variant is available with a single battery with the option to upgrade to a dual system, managed by a sophisticated battery control system.

Motovolt’s partnership with Swobbee, a European leader in battery-swapping technology, endows the M7 with seamless battery swapping capabilities at multiple locations across the country. This convenience is part of the company’s future vision to integrate Swobbee’s platform more comprehensively.

Sharing his thoughts Mr Tushar Choudhary, Founder & CEO of Motovolt Mobility, said, “At Motovolt, our mission is to provide an efficient and sustainable commuting alternative. The M7, is Made in India and Made for India and seamlessly integrates advanced features, providing a personalized and connected experience for our riders. By addressing the unique challenges of urban mobility, we aim to enhance the quality of life and contribute to a cleaner environment. We have kept the introductory offer price of M7 at Rs 1,22,000/-, with the initial booking amount being Rs 999/-.”

Talking about the M7, Mr Andreas Zurwehme, CEO, eROCKIT, said, “I am elated to have been involved in the development of the M7 electric scooter. The exchange of technology between our German engineers and their Indian counterparts has been a cornerstone of this project. The outcome is an exceptional product that symbolizes a synergy of versatility, reliability, and dedication. I am confident that the M7 will appeal to Indian consumers and deliver a distinctive and gratifying experience on the road. Looking ahead, we are also exploring opportunities to introduce the M7 into European markets, broadening its horizon and potential impact.”

The M7 is enhanced with a sophisticated telematics system, accessible through the Motovolt app, designed to streamline fleet management for businesses. This application offers an array of features such as real-time location tracking through historical ride data, the convenience of over-the-air software updates, and predictive analytics for proactive performance management. It also sends service reminders and monitors the health of the vehicle to ensure timely maintenance. This comprehensive solution is tailored to improve the efficiency and reliability of business fleets by leveraging advanced features.

Personalisation is key with Motovolt’s MUSe, offering six striking colour choices: Lightning Grey, Galaxy Red, Blue Jay, Dove White, Canary Yellow, and Puma Black. Promising maximum vehicle uptime, lower total cost of ownership, extended range, and easy access to spare parts, the Motovolt M7 offers a hassle-free, cost-effective ownership experience.