Covestro is investing EUR 100 million in innovation centres worldwide
As part of a modernisation drive, Covestro is seeking to strengthen the infrastructure for developing sustainable future technologies in all regions. The focus is on digitalisation and pioneering technologies to achieve a fully circular economy.
The plastics manufacturer Covestro is investing around EUR 100 million in its global infrastructure and facilities for research and development. Over a period of three years up to 2025, the company aims to strengthen its future competitiveness in a challenging environment. The investments will focus on future technologies that will drive the implementation of a fully circular economy.
The digitalisation of research and development is an important building block in this process. To achieve the goal of a fully circular economy, Covestro is investing in its innovation centres worldwide. Laboratories and pilot plants are receiving a modernised technology infrastructure for customer service, automated systems and new digital solutions.
One example of R&D investment and cross-departmental collaboration at Covestro is the expertise in in-mold coating (e.g. direct coatings) that can be applied worldwide. The most important facilities in this area have only recently been expanded in Leverkusen and at other central R&D sites. To further develop the process technology, the company has implemented end-to-end digitisation to capture all process-relevant data. In the challenging competitive environment of the automotive industry, innovations in in-mould coating technology are designed to enable high-quality surfaces for modern automotive design and contribute to more efficient automotive production.
Circular economy and technological innovation at Covestro
Another part of Covestro’s investment strategy is the high-performance computers (HPCII) at the Leverkusen site. With this, the company is focusing on the next stage of technological evolution to become an innovation incubator for the circular economy. With the help of high-performance computers, chemical processes can be simulated and research processes can be implemented faster and more sustainably. They are used, for example, to simulate processes in the production of foams for refrigerators, which enable greater emergy efficiency and improved cold chains in end products.
Covestro also has high hopes for chemical recycling. According to the company, this will enable large quantities of the original material to be recovered. One example of this is the Evocycle CQ Mattress project. Together with partners, the group has developed a technology for the chemolysis of polyurethane flexible foams from used mattresses. The main components – polyol and the isocyanate TDI precursor – are recovered. This way, used mattress foams can be directly converted back into new polyurethane building blocks.
Also read: Covestro signs an Investment Agreement with Adnoc
Infrastructure and sites worldwide to benefit from investments
Covestro has also announced its intention to invest in the laboratory infrastructure at the Leverkusen site, among other things. The laboratories focus on application technology for coatings and adhesives in core industries such as automotive and construction, but also in specialised areas such as light control and medical applications.
In the United States, the company is investing in a series of modernisations and technical improvements at its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With continued investment in its R&D facilities, Covestro is seeking to tap into potential in the US market and achieve greater value creation for US customers.
Significant investments have also been made in the innovation centre in Shanghai, China, in recent months, in infrastructure and digitalisation, in order to further expand the portfolio of innovative solutions for the automotive and electronics industries.
