CONTINENTAL HAMBURG – TECHNOLOGY FOR THE MOBILITY OF THE FUTURE

A combination of materials competence and digital components

The company sees itself as a collaborative partner and reliable player in Hamburg’s corporate network, whose work is closely linked to Hamburg as a business location and center of science and research, in particular to the knowledge and technology transfer company Tutech, the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) and other universities throughout Germany. In this context, the technology company offers students the opportunity to investigate the potential and feasibility of concepts for future-oriented developments and trends together with experts from Continental in what is called the Makers’ Garage. These projects enable young engineers and software developers to put theoretical knowledge into practice, work in international teams and establish contacts with startup companies, thereby also offering them a springboard to starting a career at Continental.

This new area supports Continental’s industrial business in the planning and implementation of digital “smart” projects – with a particular focus on applications in the fields of Internet of Things and cloud-based app development. The aim is to develop solutions that add a digital component to the existing range of rubber and plastic-based products, creating the basis for new digital business models. In the future, all global innovation and digitalization activities of the ContiTech business area will be coordinated by the new Innovation Center in Hamburg.

One example of such developments is Fleetmatch, which has also been supported by Continental’s Hamburg-based digital experts. This web and app-based solution connects qualified professional drivers and fleet operators and gives drivers a strong voice by enabling them to evaluate loading docks easily and quickly. This means Fleetmatch addresses two challenges of the logistics industry: the shortage of professional drivers on the market and the widespread lack of appreciation for this professional group.

New Plastics Competence Center develops hose lines for electric vehicles

In addition to its newly-created capacities, Continental is investing in further materials-related expertise alongside rubber processing. 2.2 million euro was invested in the Plastics Competence Center in Hamburg-Harburg, where high-performance hose lines for electric vehicles are developed and tested. There is growing demand in the automotive industry for high-performance technical materials such as plastics. Hose lines are required in modern vehicles for thermal management, i.e. the targeted heating and cooling of components such as batteries or electric motors. Efficiency and range can thus be significantly increased. In this function, Continental’s Hamburg location is responsible for central product development for all of the company's production plants worldwide.



At its Hamburg location, Continental develops innovative solutions for the mobility of the future – smart solutions add a digital component to its rubber and plastics expertise.

ir spring systems for greater comfort in the trains of the Hamburger Hochbahn

Doch Mobilität der Zukunft meint nicht nur Fortbewegung auf der Straße, auch der Personenverkehr auf der Schiene wird zukünftig an Bedeutung gewinnen. Die DT5-Züge der Hamburger Hochbahn fahren mit Luftfedersystemen von Continental. Die Zusatzfeder, eine relevante Komponente des Luftfedersystems, wird am Standort Hamburg gefertigt – die Gummimischung dafür wird ebenfalls an dem hanseatischen Traditionsstandort produziert. Zudem können die Federsysteme auf Kundenwunsch im unternehmenseigenen Wartungszentrum wiederaufgearbeitet werden. Für die Vorbereitung der Metall-Gummi-Elemente ist 2019 eine neue Maschine angeschafft worden. Diese kombiniert verschiedene Fertigungsschritte in einer Anlage und steigert somit Effizienz und Wettbewerbsfähigkeit.

Further training for the specialists of tomorrow

At the Hamburg location, Continental is investing not only in machinery, but also in people: The technology company is offering its semi-skilled and unskilled employees a step-by-step qualification for the state-recognized vocational qualification of process mechanic for plastics and rubber technology. This continuing education and training opportunity from the “Continental Institute of Technology and Transformation” (CITT), founded in 2019, completes the location’s package for employee qualifications, which also includes measures to integrate the long-term unemployed and provide career orientation for young people..



From Hamburg for Hamburg: Continental manufactures air spring systems for the DT5 trains of the Hamburger Hochbahn.

Rubber is an indispensable part of everyday life

“Even though the Hamburg manufacturing plant is being transforming into a diverse and future-oriented technology location, the traditional production of rubber compounds will remain an integral part of the plant premises,” says Scholtissek. Rubber keeps the modern world in motion and is the key to pioneering developments and technical innovations. This unique material functions and works in almost every sector of industry and across everyday life – whether as drive belts in washing machines, car or bicycle tires or conveyor belts for transporting overburden in large infrastructure projects. At the same time, Continental’s Hamburg location, with its innovative clusters and smart solutions, is helping to shape the structural transformation to Industry 4.0 and is ensuring the availability of qualified personnel.

www.continental.com