At K 2025 in Düsseldorf this October, Covestro will unveil cutting-edge material solutions aimed at addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time. As the world’s largest trade fair for plastics and rubber, the event will serve as the platform where Covestro highlights how “The Material Effect” drives transformative, sustainable innovations through advanced materials.
Covestro’s exhibition at the event will present over 20 innovation stories that align with the company’s commitment to achieving a fully circular economy. This objective has taken on even greater significance given the current global challenges, underscoring the need for resilience and adaptability.
In his comments at the K pre-press conference, CEO Markus Steilemann noted, “The world has faced significant disruptions, and the chemical industry is experiencing the full impact of multiple crises. However, the future will be greener and more intelligent. At Covestro, we’re leading the way with recyclable, climate-neutral high-performance plastics. Our innovations in sectors such as e-mobility, autonomous driving, energy-efficient buildings, and digitalization will have a lasting positive impact. We look forward to demonstrating how our materials can bring tangible benefits to our customers and partners at K 2025.”
Located in Hall 6, Booth A75, Covestro will showcase a wide range of innovations in areas including Sustainability, Automotive, Electronics, Healthcare, and Sports & Leisure. One standout exhibit will be a newly designed public transport vehicle—the SUE “People Mover.” This self-driving, urban electric shuttle, developed by UE | STUDIOS, integrates full polycarbonate glazing, polycarbonate components for lidar sensors, and the lightweight yet durable mono-material Arfinio® along with TPU. Another highlight is IMAGIO®, a digital sampling tool that offers realistic visualizations of product designs, allowing early-stage development through digital material twins rather than physical samples.
By spotlighting these and other innovations, Covestro will demonstrate how high-performance materials play an essential role in creating a sustainable world. “The Material Effect” combines cutting-edge materials with expertise in process and application development, bridging the gap between research and industrial application. Jochen Hardt, Vice President of Global Marketing Mobility at Covestro, elaborated, “It’s this unique intersection of material science, process expertise, and application development that sets us apart. ‘The Material Effect’ enables our partners to achieve greater sustainability, circularity, and product performance.”
Covestro is focused on a clear strategic goal: to achieve full circularity and establish the circular economy as a global standard. This encompasses the use of alternative raw materials, transitioning to green energy, and advancing recycling technologies. The company has committed to reaching climate neutrality in its operations (Scope 1 and 2) by 2035, with a target to achieve climate neutrality across its entire value chain (Scope 1-3) by 2050. Already, Covestro has signed 11 power purchase agreements (PPAs) and currently sources approximately 16% of its global electricity from renewable sources.
Additionally, Covestro is pushing the envelope in utilizing alternative raw materials, with the long-term aim of reducing reliance on fossil-based resources. The company is developing and testing next-generation recycling technologies for materials such as polyurethanes, polycarbonates, and elastomers.
The commitment to circularity is also reflected in Covestro’s product portfolio. Products labeled “CQ” (Circular Intelligence) contain at least 25% alternative raw materials. For polycarbonates, the company has introduced specific labels to indicate the source of raw materials: “RE” denotes products derived from renewable resources and made with renewable energy; “RP” indicates products made from chemically recycled post-consumer waste; and “R” identifies items that incorporate mechanically recycled materials.
These innovations, along with many others, will be featured at Covestro’s K 2025 booth. Covestro is a global leader in producing high-quality polymer materials and components, delivering sustainable solutions across industries such as mobility, construction, electrical and electronics, healthcare, telecommunications, and more.
The company’s dedication to circularity is reflected in its bold climate goals. Covestro aims for carbon neutrality in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035 and Scope 3 emissions by 2050. In fiscal year 2024, Covestro achieved EUR 14.2 billion in sales and operated 46 production sites globally, employing approximately 17,500 people.
