Covestro, a leading global supplier of high-performance materials, is reinforcing its commitment to innovation and future competitiveness with a substantial investment of approximately 100 million euros in its global Research and Development (R&D) infrastructure. This strategic move, spanning three years until 2025, underscores the company’s dedication to pioneering future technologies and accelerating the transition towards a fully circular economy. By enhancing its R&D capabilities worldwide, Covestro aims to create greater value for its customers across all business segments and solidify its position in a dynamic and demanding global market.
This significant financial commitment will fuel a comprehensive global digitalization strategy within R&D and support ongoing investments in Covestro’s key innovation centers. The modernization efforts include state-of-the-art equipment for enhanced customer service, the implementation of automated systems, and the integration of cutting-edge digital technologies across laboratories and technical centers globally. Covestro is adopting a holistic approach, ensuring advancements at multiple levels of its R&D operations.
Sucheta Govil, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Covestro, emphasizes the strategic importance of this investment: “Our investments in R&D are integral to our strategy of creating value for our customers. They are enabling us to expand and maintain our innovation pipeline at a high level. By this, we are the go-to partner for more sustainable solutions which help to meet the climate-neutrality targets of our customers. Thanks to this global innovation booster, we come even closer to our joint goal to become fully circular.”
Driving Innovation with a 100 Million Euro Boost to R&D Capabilities
The 100 million euro investment is strategically directed towards several key areas that are crucial for Covestro’s future success. A primary focus is on bolstering the company’s innovation pipeline, ensuring a continuous stream of groundbreaking solutions for its diverse customer base. This investment acknowledges the increasing demand for sustainable materials and circular economy solutions, pushing Covestro to the forefront of these transformative trends. The enhanced R&D infrastructure will empower Covestro to more effectively develop and deliver on its commitment to becoming fully circular, aligning with global sustainability imperatives and customer expectations for eco-conscious products.
Furthermore, digitalization is positioned as a cornerstone of this R&D advancement. Covestro recognizes the transformative power of digital technologies in accelerating research processes, enhancing data quality, and fostering collaboration across its global R&D network. This digital transformation is not merely about upgrading equipment; it’s about fundamentally changing how research is conducted, making it faster, more efficient, and more insightful.
Digital Transformation at the Heart of R&D Advancement
A prime example of how the 100 million euro investment is being deployed is the enhancement of Covestro’s global expertise in In-Mold-Coating (Direct Coating) technology. Facilities in Leverkusen and other major R&D sites have been upgraded to advance this technology. End-to-end digitalization has been implemented to capture all process-relevant data, fostering deeper insights and accelerating development cycles. In-Mold-Coating technologies are particularly vital for the automotive industry, enabling the creation of high-quality surfaces essential for modern car designs and contributing to more efficient automotive production processes. This investment directly addresses the automotive sector’s constant drive for innovation and improved manufacturing techniques.
Another significant milestone within this investment framework is the deployment of high-performance computers (HPCII) at the Leverkusen site. These powerful computing resources represent the next stage in Covestro’s technological evolution, transforming Leverkusen into an innovation incubator for the circular economy. HPCII enables the simulation of complex chemical processes, significantly accelerating research and making it more sustainable. Applications include foam processing simulations for refrigerators, contributing to energy efficiency and enhanced cool chains in end products. This capability is crucial for developing next-generation materials and processes with improved environmental performance.
Torsten Heinemann, Head of Group Innovation & Sustainability at Covestro, emphasizes the pivotal role of digitalization and simulation: “Simulations of chemical processes are a key element in the development of recycling technologies and research on new molecule classifications. Moreover, laboratory digitalization enables test data to be recorded in higher quality and to a greater extent than is usual in analogue ways. Both help us to find the most possible and more sustainable solutions for our customers more quickly. Many developments in the field of recycling would be like looking for a needle in a haystack without digital R&D and simulations.”
Advancing Circular Economy through Chemical Recycling Innovations
Chemical recycling is highlighted as a particularly promising area fueled by the 100 million euro investment, especially for plastics that are challenging to recycle mechanically. This approach allows for the recovery of substantial quantities of original material, closing the loop and reducing reliance on virgin resources. Covestro’s Evocycle® CQ mattress project serves as a compelling example. In collaboration with partners, Covestro has pioneered an innovative technology for the chemolysis of flexible polyurethane foams from used mattresses. This process enables the recovery of key components – polyol and the precursor to isocyanate TDI – which are then directly repurposed as renewed polyurethane building blocks. This groundbreaking project demonstrates the tangible benefits of chemical recycling in transforming waste streams into valuable resources.
Global R&D Infrastructure Modernization Across Key Sites
Covestro’s 100 million euro investment extends beyond specific technologies and encompasses a broad modernization of its global R&D infrastructure. In Leverkusen, Germany, laboratory upgrades are underway, focusing on application technology for coatings and adhesives in vital industries like automotive and construction, as well as specialized areas such as light guiding and medical applications. These modernized laboratories will enhance Covestro’s ability to serve key markets with cutting-edge solutions.
In the United States, Covestro is making significant investments at its Pittsburgh campus, signaling a strong commitment to the innovative and high-potential U.S. market. These upgrades include modernization and technical enhancements to R&D facilities, reinforcing Covestro’s dedication to its U.S. customer base and its position in the North American market.
Furthermore, the innovation center in Shanghai, China, has seen substantial investments in infrastructure and digitalization in recent months. These investments are geared towards developing leading solutions for the automotive and electronics industries, reflecting the strategic importance of the Asian market and Covestro’s commitment to serving these rapidly growing sectors with locally relevant innovations.
Securing a Sustainable and Innovative Future
Covestro’s 100 million euro investment in global R&D infrastructure and assets is a clear indicator of its strategic vision for the future. By focusing on digitalization, circular economy solutions, and infrastructure modernization across key global sites, Covestro is not only enhancing its competitiveness but also solidifying its leadership in sustainable and innovative material solutions. This investment positions Covestro to meet the evolving needs of its customers, contribute to a more circular economy, and drive advancements across diverse industries worldwide.
