Purposes and Scope 

The increased awareness of the importance of environmental protection has brought greater focus on ensuring environmentally sound products – not only during the manufacturing process but also during product utilization. Various techniques have been developed in order to determine the impacts products have on the environment. One of those techniques is the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) which enables us to address various goals:

• Obtaining environmental information about products and product groups.
• Identifying opportunities to improve the environmental performance of products at various points throughout their entire life cycle.
• Gathering information for engaging in dialog with decision-makers in industry, government, or non-governmental organizations.
• Developing relevant indicators of environmental performance, including measurement techniques.
• Assisting with product design and development.
• Promoting product marketing, for example by implementing an eco-labeling scheme, or producing an environmental product declaration.
• Supporting internal strategic planning procedures.

LCA investigates the potential environmental impacts caused or necessitated by a product’s existence throughout that product’s life cycle – from raw materials acquisition through production, use, end-of-life treatment, and disposal.

Methodology

There are four phases in an LCA study:

• Phase 1: goal and scope definition
• Phase 2: life cycle inventory
• Phase 3: life cycle impact assessment
• Phase 4: interpretation

The focus lies on the use of the product:

The scope, including the system boundary and level of detail, of an LCA depends on the subject and the intended use of the study. The depth and extensiveness of LCA can differ considerably depending on the goals of a particular LCA.

The second phase of LCA is the life cycle inventory, which is an inventory of all input/output data with regard to the system or product being studied.

The life cycle impact assessment is the third phase of LCA, and its purpose is to provide additional information.

Interpretation is the final phase of the LCA procedure, in which the results of the life cycle inventory and/or impact assessment are summarized and discussed. The interpretation is used as a basis for conclusions, recommendations and decision-making in accordance with the goal and scope definition.

Life Cycle Assessments at Continental

Continental has conducted life cycle assessments for the following products:

• Passenger and Light Truck Tires
• Truck Tires
• Extended Mobility Systems
  • ContiSupport Ring (CSR)
  • Conti Comfort Kit (CCK)
  • Self-Supporting Runflat (SSR)
  • Spare Tires
  • Compact Spare Tires
  • ContiSeal
• Electro-Mechanical Brake
• Electro-Hydraulic Brake

Some of the results of the life cycle assessment for passenger and light truck tires are given below as an example.

Environmental Relevance of the Life Cycle Phases:

The highest contribution to all environmental impact categories derives from the use phase of the tire (approx. 90%). The reason is the rolling resistance of the tire which needs to be overcome when the car is in motion. This consumes energy.

The acquisition of raw materials accounts for less than 10% of the environmental impact. Impact attributable to the manufacturing process is even lower. Transportation between the different life cycle phases amounts to no more than 2% of total environmental impact during the product’s life cycle.

Environmental Benefits of Reduced Rolling Resistance:

By substituting silica for carbon black as filler, it is possible to reduce the tire’s rolling resistance, among other things. This leads to a decrease in a car’s energy and oil consumption. As a consequence, the quantity of pollutants released drops, with a concomitant lessening of the global warming, acidification, and nutrification potential.

LCAs at Continental are conducted in accordance with ISO 14040 (Principles and Framework) and ISO 14044 (Requirements and Guidelines). The life cycle assessment for passenger and light truck tires has been certified by an independent external consultant. Klick here for the German Version of the Certificate.