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For nature and society
Covestro focused on sustainability
We can all agree: Plastics have a very important place in our world. But plastic waste should have no place in our environment.
Covestro is committed to doing its part to build a circular economy and end the flow of plastic pollution into the environment.
By creating high-quality materials often used for decades, utilizing CO2 as a raw material in plastic production and implementing solu- tions to stop plastic leakage along the manufacturing chain, Covestro is driving efforts to use resources responsibly and reduce waste.
Carbon dioxide partly replaces petroleum in plastics and syn- thetics
CO2 as a new raw material – becoming a jack of all trades
Carbon dioxide shows an unfamiliar side: The gas, which is known as being problematic for the climate, can now be reused as a valuable material source in plastic production. For example, for more sustain- able production of mattresses and sports floors. The novel CO2 tech- nology is also used in the automotive industry. And even clothing and building insulation could be manufactured this way in the future. Securely bound in plastic or synthetic materials, carbon dioxide will find its way into many products used in our daily lives.
This groundbreaking use of CO2 is the result of the award-winning process Covestro has developed with partner RWTH Aachen. It is more than just technical innovation in plastics and synthetic produc- tion: This process conserves fossil fuels, such as crude oil, and reduces the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide because the carbon from CO2 is essentially being recycled. It’s an innovative contribution to resource conservation. And it also promotes the circular economy, which we are committed to as part of our Group-wide strategy.
Turning waste gas into a valuable material
Carbon dioxide instead of petroleum as a component in plastics – Covestro is pursuing new avenues for turning the waste gas into a useful raw material, expand the resource base of the chemicals indus- try and promote the circular economy. The company is working with partners on a number of projects for this purpose. Novel CO2 compo- nents are already available on the market for different types of plastic. The goal is to use carbon dioxide for as many applications as possible.
Petroleum makes the world go round.
The fossil resource fuels cars and airplanes, is the raw material for drugs and is found in almost all plastics. But petroleum reserves are limited.
Something we have in abundance can be used in its place, however : carbon dioxide. This waste gas has one thing in common with petro- leum: it contains the element carbon, a central building block for the chemical industry.
The professional world has long dreamed of using CO2 as a raw material. Now that dream has come true: through an innovative tech- nology that Covestro developed with partners from industry and sci- ence. It is now being used to produce a main component of plastic, called polyol. It is made up of 20 percent CO2 – meaning it can replace an equal amount of petroleum as conventional raw material.
Numerous applications
Covestro has been marketing the new material since 2016 under the name cardyon®. It is produced at the Dormagen site near Cologne, Germany in a purpose-built production facility that has an annual capacity of 5,000 metric tons. This CO2-based polyol is primarily used to manufacture soft polyurethane foam for mattresses and soft furni- ture – sleeping with CO2 technology.
Meanwhile, cardyon® is also used in sports - as a component of a new 8 ITALY EXPORTS ®
type of binder for sports underbodies. The novel material can also be found in shoe insoles as well as in components for car interiors such as armrests and headliners. In addition, the production of synthetic textile fibers with CO2 is close to market maturity. And in the future, houses may be fitted with CO2-based insulating panels to protect them against heat and cold.
Scientific breakthrough
Effective use of carbon dioxide as a raw material became possible once the right catalyst and the right processing technology had been found. This was the key because CO2, as an end product of combus- tion, is very slow to react. It first has to be “encouraged” to enter into a chemical bond. The experts had looked for catalyst and technology in vain for decades. Working in collaboration with the RWTH Aachen University and CAT Catalytic Center, Covestro researchers finally made the breakthrough.
Covestro has many more ideas for using carbon dioxide. The primary goal is to make intelligent use of carbon and dispense with petrole- um in plastics production to the greatest extent possible. The compa- ny also wants to contribute to the circular economy by returning CO2 to the supply chain. In doing so, Covestro supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Research in the lab for co2 based polyols
About Covestro:
With 2020 sales of EUR 10.7 billion, Covestro is among the world’s leading polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative, sustainable solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. In doing so, Covestro is fully committed to the circular econ- omy. The main industries served are the automotive and transporta- tion industries, construction, furniture and wood processing, as well as electrical, electronics, and household appliances industries. Other sectors include sports and leisure, cosmetics, health and the chemical industry itself. At the end of 2020, Covestro has 33 production sites worldwide and employs approximately 16,500 people (calculated as full-time equivalents).
Covestro Italy is part of the global Covestro business. Compounding, packaging and Color Competence & Design Center for the EMEA Region of polycarbonates and its blends.
Covestro Via delle Industrie 9 - 24040 Filago (BG) Italy
Phone: +39 035 9901 - www.covestro.com