ContiTech Timing Belts: the New EPDM Generation Is Coming
Key features will improve significantly, starting with the standard belts. Under CONTINUITY, the belts will be renamed and carry new markings.
- Modernization = a Chance to Make the Change Work for You
- Innovation and New Capabilities
- One SYNCHROFORCE to Rule Them All: Synchronizing Names
ContiTech, a leading manufacturer of industrial drive belts, has now confirmed and specified its previously announced plan: as of January 1, 2026, all series production of drive timing belts in HTD and STD profiles with pitches 8 and 14 mm will be supplied in an upgraded version – chloroprene rubber (CR) will be replaced by advanced synthetic EPDM rubber. The cover fabric and the tensile cords will also be upgraded. The belts will carry new markings.
The remaining sizes (including 2M, 3M and 5M profiles) will follow. According to the latest information from the manufacturer, the transition process should be completed in the second half of 2026.
This major technological innovation offers an opportunity to optimize your machine drives in the context of the new product portfolio structure. And because the manufacturer has not yet released the full technical parameters of the new belts, we are here to lend a helping hand.
Modernization = a Chance to Make the Change Work for You
Take advantage of our free Drive Belt Optimization service on our website.
As soon as the information required for drive design with the new generation of belts becomes available, we will notify you and provide a tailored proposal for possible changes – whether functional improvements or cost savings. In the form, just select the CONTINUITY option.
ContiTech already provides support with sampling and approval processes for the new generation belts. Please contact us if you are interested.
Innovation and New Capabilities
Improved Temperature Resistance
The new generation of EPDM timing belts can be operated – even in the standard performance range – in a temperature interval from −40 °C to +120 °C (whereas the previous belts were limited to −20 °C to +100 °C).
The manufacturer’s data allow for some interesting comparisons. While the tests were carried out under specific conditions – and therefore cannot be applied universally – they do convincingly demonstrate the scale of the improvements. The following table shows the results of a low-temperature resistance test:
ContiTech Belt Resistance Test: CR vs. EPDM at Low Temperature
| Material | Temperature | Test Runs | Cracks in Backing |
|---|---|---|---|
| CR | –30 °C | 80 | 160 |
| EPDM | –40 °C | 80 | 3 |
And at the other end of the temperature spectrum – at an ambient temperature of +120 °C, the new CONTI EPDM timing belts achieved more than 5 times the service life (533%) compared to the previous generation.
Longer Service Life
The service cycle will be significantly extended. For illustration, see the diagrams below comparing ContiTech belts tested by the manufacturer.
Ecology, Sustainability, and Cleaner Operation
Fewer toxic substances: chlorine-free, PFAS-free, with reduced amounts of PAHs, halogens, and solvents.
The Good Remains
The new belts retain exactly the same dimensions (pitch, length, profile) as their predecessors and can therefore replace them smoothly and without concern.
Overview of Profiles and Available Belt Length Ranges
| Profile | Length Range (mm) |
|---|---|
| HTD H8M | 288–4,400 |
| HTD H14M | 966–5,740 |
| STD S8M | 376–4,400 |
| STD S14M | 1,120–3,150 |
Other key properties remain unchanged as well:
-
Electrical Conductivity
Antistatic according to ISO 9563. -
Chemical Resistance
Conditionally resistant to oils and suitable for use in tropical environments. -
Maintenance-Free
No lubricants or coolants are required in operation.
After replacing the previous belts with the new generation, we only recommend checking the pretensioning frequency.
Next-Level Drive Technology: the New EPDM Timing Belts (pdf, 1.49 MB)
One SYNCHROFORCE to Rule Them All: Synchronizing Names
ContiTech timing belts of the new generation will always carry the designation CONTI SYNCHROFORCE, followed by the model series name where applicable.
This means we will say goodbye to the CONTI SYNCHROBELT brand, which until now has stood for reliable standard belts for lower and medium power ranges.
The new SYNCHROFORCE EPDM belts will be available in three performance classes:
-
CONTI SYNCHROFORCE
Belts with an EPDM body and glass cord tension members enable cost-efficient solutions in the lower and medium power range. -
CONTI SYNCHROFORCE ADVANCE
Belts made of EPDM compound reinforced with aramid fibers are designed for transmitting high power and achieving the highest belt speeds. -
CONTI SYNCHROFORCE ADVANCE PRO
An EPDM compound reinforced with aramid fibers, combined with aramid cord tension members, delivers top performance in transmitting the highest torque.
As already mentioned, the changes for belts with pitches of 8 and 14 mm will affect the entire range of timing belts produced by ContiTech. Specialized product lines will therefore also receive their new names.
Compared to the initial information presented within the CONTINUITY project, the latest updates from the manufacturer indicate that these lines will likewise carry the unified designation: CONTI SYNCHROFORCE. The following table provides an overview.
Overview of Planned Name Changes as of January 1, 2026
| Old Product Name | New Product Name |
|---|---|
| CONTI SYNCHROBELT | CONTI SYNCHROFORCE |
| CONTI SYNCHROFORCE CXP | CONTI SYNCHROFORCE ADVANCE |
| CONTI SYNCHROFORCE CXA | CONTI SYNCHROFORCE ADVANCE PRO |
| CONTI SYNCHROLINE | CONTI SYNCHROFORCE LINE |
| CONTI SYNCHROLINE CXP | CONTI SYNCHROFORCE LINE ADVANCE |
| CONTI SYNCHROCOLOR | CONTI SYNCHROFORCE COLOR |
| CONTI SYNCHROCOLOR CXP | CONTI SYNCHROFORCE COLOR ADVANCE |
| CONTI SYNCHROCOLOR CXA | CONTI SYNCHROFORCE COLOR ADVANCE PRO |
| CONTI SYNCHRORIB CXP | CONTI SYNCHROFORCE RIB ADVANCE |
| CONTI SYNCHRORIB CXA | CONTI SYNCHROFORCE RIB ADVANCE PRO |
Please note that the transition to the new generation will take place somewhat later for double-sided CONTI SYNCHROTWIN timing belts, as well as for certain sizes of the outgoing CONTI SYNCHROBELT.