Published on November 3, 2026
Continental Moves Conveyor Belts to Recovered Carbon Black
Continental has begun integrating recovered carbon black into selected conveyor belt compounds at its North American plants, a further step away from fossil-based raw materials in industrial rubber products. The recovered carbon black is supplied by Bolder Industries and produced through the oxygen-free thermal pyrolysis of post-consumer and post-industrial rubber waste, including end-of-life tires.
Continental reports that roughly 157,000 pounds of recovered carbon black went into its North American conveyor belt compounds over the previous twelve months, spanning production trials and the subsequent ramp-up. At that substitution level, the company estimates some 487 metric tons of CO2-equivalent emissions were avoided versus conventional virgin carbon black.
According to lifecycle data from Bolder Industries cited by Continental, recovered carbon black can deliver an estimated 86 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with conventional virgin production. Production trials found equivalent material cost, consistent processing behavior and reliable product performance.
Conveyor belt compounds that accept recovered carbon black represent a higher-value outlet than lower-grade uses — a meaningful step for the economics of tire pyrolysis and for demand for secondary raw materials from end-of-life tire recycling.
Want to source or supply recovered carbon black for your rubber or plastic compounds?