Covestro is investing around €100 million to upgrade its global research and development (R&D) facilities over the next three years, aiming to enhance competitiveness and drive innovation. These investments, planned through 2025, will focus on advanced technologies to support the company’s goal of achieving a fully circular economy. A key part of this initiative is the company’s digitalization strategy, which includes upgrading equipment and introducing automated systems and digital capabilities across its labs and technical centers globally.
Sucheta Govil, Chief Commercial Officer at Covestro, emphasized that these investments are crucial to maintaining the company’s innovation pipeline and meeting customer demand for sustainable solutions, particularly those aligned with climate neutrality targets.
One notable example of Covestro’s R&D investment is its focus on In-Mold Coating (Direct Coating) technology, particularly in the automotive sector. Facilities in Leverkusen and other major R&D centers have been upgraded with end-to-end digitalization for improved process efficiency and product quality.
In addition, Covestro has introduced high-performance computers (HPCII) in Leverkusen to simulate chemical processes, accelerating research and development in areas such as foam processing for energy-efficient refrigeration. These simulations are also helping advance recycling technologies, a key element in Covestro’s circular economy efforts. One standout project is the Evocycle® CQ mattress recycling initiative, which recovers key components from used polyurethane foams.
It’s R&D modernization extends globally, including significant upgrades to its Pittsburgh campus in the U.S. and its innovation center in Shanghai, reflecting the company’s commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions in automotive, electronics, and other industries.
Covestro is a global leader in high-performance polymer materials, supplying a range of industries including mobility, construction, electronics, and more. The company is fully committed to a circular economy and aims to achieve climate neutrality for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035, and Scope 3 by 2050. In 2023, Covestro generated €14.4 billion in sales, with 48 production sites and around 17,500 employees worldwide.
