Materials and digitalization are a future-oriented combination that is becoming increasingly important, especially for the chemical and materials industry. Artificial intelligence opens up new possibilities in research and development, production, logistics, and customer relationships. It can analyze vast amounts of data, identify correlations, and help make development and production processes more efficient. In doing so, the industry is increasingly combining its traditional strength – knowledge of molecules, materials and industrial processes – with the possibilities of the digital world.

And the next technological leap is already on the horizon: quantum computers could one day simulate complex chemical processes at the molecular level, opening up entirely new avenues in materials development.

Thinking Across Technologies

The real strength lies in the interplay. Materials and process knowledge on one side; AI, high-performance computing and, looking ahead, quantum computing on the other. When these competencies are connected, innovations can be accelerated and brought into industrial applications more quickly.

The chemical industry in particular offers great potential in this regard. The development of new materials is complex. Digital technologies can help identify potential solutions faster, better predict material properties, and shorten the path from research to application. What matters is not the technology alone, but its benefit to concrete industrial challenges.

This interplay also holds crucial opportunities at the macroeconomic level, especially for Europe. The continent has excellent science, a broad industrial base, and highly skilled workers. Yet global competition shows that it is no longer enough to be merely a technological leader. Europe must above all become faster at translating scientific breakthroughs into marketable industrial applications.

Increasing Efficiency and Resilience

This is about more than just efficiency gains. An innovative industrial base that combines digital and physical strengths can strengthen Europe's competitiveness and technological sovereignty. When materials are developed more intelligently and produced more efficiently, resources can be better utilized, more value can be created, and one-sided dependencies can be reduced. The combination of chemistry and digitalization can thus make an important contribution to the resilience of Europe as a business location. That's exactly what the Brussels conference is about.

The chemical and materials industry plays a special role in this. Its materials form the physical foundation for numerous green and digital transformations – from the energy transition to modern medical technology and data centers, to the buildings of the future.

The industrial future will therefore not be digital alone. What will be decisive is connecting the physical world of molecules with the digital world of data. That is precisely the great opportunity: to translate new technologies into industrial innovations faster and thus contribute to a competitive, resilient and sustainable economy.

Because even the digital future needs a physical foundation. And that includes innovative materials.

Through a home that thinks ahead, supports, and protects. One where the day begins before the alarm goes off. The temperature in the bathroom has already been optimally adjusted, the light in the bedroom is slowly being dimmed up, and the display in the kitchen shows energy consumption, the weather forecast, and upcoming appointments. While the coffee brews, a wearable discreetly measures pulse and sleep quality.

Smart Home – what still sounds slightly extravagant today is becoming the norm for more and more people around the globe. After all, the number of internet-based devices alone is set to double between 2024 and 2030 to around 40 billion.

A good, contemporary life for everyone – that is the central vision of the United Nations. An immense challenge, if only because the global population is steadily growing, as the World Population Day once again illustrates: from the current 8.3 billion to almost ten billion people by 2050. Yet the real dynamic behind these figures lies not in pure growth, but in the shift in purchasing power and lifestyle.

The affluent middle class continues to grow

Because more and more people, especially in the Global South, are making the leap into the middle class. By 2030, around 55 percent of the world's population could already belong to this group – almost two billion more people than at the beginning of this decade. People no longer just want to be provided for; they want to lead a modern life: connected, informed, comfortable, and sustainable. With corresponding expectations of their living environment.

But the apartment or home should not only be appealing, digital, and trendy – it should also help people stay active and independent for longer. Because the world is becoming not only wealthier on average, but also older: by 2050, one in six people could be at least 65 years old. This brings safety, health, activity, and self-sufficiency increasingly into focus.

Taken together, this creates a complex ecosystem: displays, sensors, and routers on one side; furniture, household appliances, wearables, and medical technology on the other – increasingly interwoven in everyday life. Yet alongside all the benefits, there are also challenges.

Because more comfort products and increasing connectivity also mean more emissions, more electronic waste, and greater resource demands. On average, electronic devices are used for only around three years today; at the same time, over 60 million tons of e-waste were generated worldwide in 2024. For the smart home, we therefore need not only superior technology, but also superior products: more durable, safer, more efficient, and better recyclable.

Materials Define Modern Living

Modern living thus becomes a question of materials. How many cycles the washing machine can withstand, how long the display stays clear, and the armchair remains elastic, whether the refrigerator uses energy efficiently, or whether the digital infrastructure works reliably – within one's own four walls, this is also a question of the right materials. They are often invisible, but crucial in bringing together comfort, safety, design, and sustainability.

This is where the plastics industry comes into play. In the electronics sector, for example, casings, displays, or touchscreens can be made particularly robust, lightweight, and design-friendly through the use of polycarbonates. Polyurethane foams contribute to comfort and energy efficiency – for instance in mattresses, furniture, upholstery, or insulation for air conditioning and refrigeration units.

The infrastructure behind the connected home also requires high-performance materials: fibre-optic networks, cables, connectors, housings, 5G base stations, and Wi-Fi components must function reliably and withstand stress over many years. Coatings, resins, and high-tech plastics can help make these systems more resilient and longer lasting.

World Population Day makes it clear: the question is no longer simply how many people live on this planet, but how they want to live – and with what materials we shape this transformation. Because modern living comfort is not created by the next app or the latest device. It is created where technology, design, and materials work together.

This is true especially for industry, where the first machine‑like living beings are now being deployed. According to a recent study, up to 60 percent of manual tasks in areas such as production and logistics can, in principle, be automated. By 2030, several million humanoids could be installed.

The Hannover Messe makes clear to me why this is happening: the dynamic development is driven by the enormous innovative power of thousands of large and small companies. For example, on the opening day of the trade show, industrial supplier Schaeffler won the prestigious Hermes Award for an actuator platform – essentially the “muscles” in the joints of androids, enabling ever more precise fine motor skills.

Material Innovations for Technological Leaps

Automation and digitalization are the major technological drivers of industry, accompanied by the shift to electric energy. But we must also remember: all these robots, high‑tech computers, solar modules, wind turbines, and countless other forward‑looking applications always require equally innovative materials.

It is worth looking at a field that accelerates technological development significantly behind the scenes: lightweight construction. A key cross‑sectional technology that has long been underestimated. In Germany for example, the host country of the Hannover Messe, every second economic sector is connected to it. Lightweight construction directly contributes nearly four percent to Germany’s economic output and accounts for almost three percent of jobs.

It is therefore understandable that the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs hosts the Lightweighting Summit at the fair every year. The motto of this year’s event, where I had the honor of giving the keynote: “Advantage Through Efficiency.” A topic that is becoming increasingly important for industry in times of rising competition and cost pressure.

Lightweight Construction with High‑Quality Plastics

In manufacturing, material costs are known to account for more than half of total costs. Increasing material productivity – meaning the ratio of value creation to material input – is essential to remain competitive globally. Resource‑efficient technologies such as lightweight construction are the key to it.

And high‑quality plastics are the ideal material for lightweight construction. Here, too, an epochal change is underway. AI and quantum computing are opening entirely new dimensions in development and production.

But even today, plastics impress with an unparalleled combination of excellent properties. They have low density while offering high strength. This makes it possible to manufacture components significantly lighter than, for example, metal. At the same time, plastics allow for low‑energy and cost‑efficient manufacturing processes.

However, economic viability is not measured solely by cost and material use, but also by functionality. And plastics excel here as well. Their high design freedom allows numerous features to be integrated – such as electronic elements like LEDs, sensors, or conductive tracks. These are also important material properties that drive lightweight construction forward.

Advantages for Efficiency and Resilience

But we cannot think about efficiency without considering a complementary economic core factor: resilience. Especially in times of volatile energy prices, lower energy demand becomes a strategic advantage – and those who rely on lightweight construction reduce it significantly: in production, in transport, and in operation.

At the same time, increasingly vulnerable supply chains benefit. Lighter components ease transport capacities, increase payload, and enable faster shifts between transport modes in times of crisis – from sea to air, from road to rail.

And finally, lightweight construction reduces not only weight but also complexity: function‑integrated components and modular structures simplify assembly and automation, reduce error rates, and make production systems more robust overall.

E‑Cars Benefit from Lower Weight

In light of this duality of resilience and efficiency, lightweight construction with high‑quality plastics is exactly the right approach to drive the transformation of key sectors. The strength of these advantages becomes especially clear in the mobility transition and the megatrend toward electric propulsion.

Just one hundred kilograms less on the scale reduces electricity consumption by an average of two to four percent. This extends the range without increasing battery size. Lightweight plastics such as polycarbonate reduce the high battery weight, protect the sensitive cells, and make vehicles more aerodynamic overall.

Electric cars have already arrived in everyday life, and humanoid robots will increasingly shape it. Without breakthroughs in materials science, without lightweight construction, and without the quiet performance of modern plastics, such technological leaps would be unthinkable. If we want to shape the future, this is exactly where we must begin – with the materials that make progress possible in the first place.

High-quality plastics are the material for the 21^st century, as becomes clear to me once again while strolling through the exhibition halls in Düsseldorf, Germany. And certainly to many other visitors as well. Over 3,000 exhibitors from 66 countries, including Covestro, make it tangible here how this material improves our lives at every turn, making it more sustainable and smarter, more comfortable and safer. And how it repeatedly helps bring forth new things. No wonder that global plastic production continues to increase: In 2024, it recorded a plus of four percent, more than the global gross domestic product.

Implementing technologies more consistently

This reinforces my optimism, which prevails even in tense times like these: There's no shortage of good ideas and technological solutions – they simply need more consistent implementation.

So there is a lot of confidence at the "K". But not only that. As CEO of a global corporation rooted in Germany, I am simultaneously driven by deep concerns, like many other business leaders. Because it is precisely in Germany – the long-standing host of this trade fair for over 70 years – as well as throughout Europe, that the plastics industry is under severe pressure. More than that – the sector, which employs 1.5 million people in 50,000 companies, is now literally standing at the precipice.

Economic situation alarming

Double-digit revenue decline, further shrinking market shares: The situation report that the industry association Plastics Europe presented a few days ago is alarming. Today, only twelve percent of all plastics come from Europe – almost 20 years ago it was still 22 percent. At the same time, China in particular has risen, producing almost three times as much plastic as the entire EU.

This clearly shows that it is primarily the regulatory environment that is slowing the sector in Europe and specifically in Germany – particularly higher energy costs, stricter regulatory requirements, and greater bureaucratic burden.

The good news: The federal government in Berlin has recognized this and wants to establish a "Chemistry Agenda 2045". I hope the year doesn't mark just the start date. Because the time to act is now – the sooner, the better. Which structural reforms specifically need to be tackled has been unambiguously formulated by "my" industry. And we also harbor very clear expectations toward the Commission in Brussels that brook no delay.

Special recipe for success

The EU and Germany as the largest member state need a strong plastics industry. And at its core, it is indeed that – vital and highly innovative. It consistently produces tailor-made solutions for countless other sectors and the challenges of modern life. The recipe for success, which is particularly pronounced at Covestro: a unique combination of materials science, process engineering, and application development.

We call this "The Material Effect". This means: knowing exactly how to change the smallest things in chemistry's building blocks to design plastics with specific properties. This means producing them as efficiently and environmentally friendly as possible, with processes that are becoming increasingly sophisticated. And this requires really knowing your way around many industries – to meet today's needs and see tomorrow's trends. Artificial intelligence and quantum computing help us with all three facets.

At K2025, we show the Material Effect in action. How it makes an impact in electronics, health, sports and leisure. Or in mobility, where Covestro materials are now being used in the prototype of a bus for public transportation. The shuttle is not only electric but also travels driverless – thanks in part to the high-performance plastic polycarbonate, which integrates assistance systems and sensors.

Building a circular plastic system

The fact that this material can be excellently recycled is another plus – and brings me to another point: Europe's plastics industry urgently needs to be able to realize its ambitious sustainability goals. We have the chance to build the world's first circular plastic system on the continent. That would be a great signal and could provide strong growth impulses.

But this too requires swift improvements in political and regulatory frameworks – such as the determined promotion of chemical recycling, which is currently stagnating in the European Union. And overall, it's unfortunately the case at the moment that the EU has lost its former leading position in circular plastics to Asia. Here too, China is far ahead, with almost twice the amount produced in 2024 than in Europe.

The next "K" takes place in three years. I very much hope that by then the necessary reforms will have taken effect and the industry in Europe can present better figures. But I'm certain of one thing: that in 2028 I'll once again be able to marvel at innovations from the world of plastics.

It's therefore appropriate that the economy takes center stage in the coalition agreement. But even though paper is patient, and the step from intention to action is notoriously the hardest, I'm willing to give the coalition government of the conservative CDU/CSU bloc and the center-left SPD the benefit of the doubt – despite the bumpy start, the back-and-forth and maneuvering beforehand, and their thin majority in parliament. After all, their government program includes many key elements to move Germany forward: promoting innovation, cutting red tape, and reducing energy prices.

Hope Emerges at Chemical Industry Meeting 

These are all objectives that "my" industry, chemicals, has vigorously advocated for. Hence, the mood at our most important industry gathering, the “Handelsblatt Jahrestagung” in Berlin, was more hopeful – or at least less concerned. This was especially true as the Black-Red coalition seems clearly aware of our industry's crucial importance. Chemistry is the invisible helping hand behind many other key sectors, enabling them to become more sustainable, resilient, and digital – something that was once again impressively demonstrated at the Berlin meeting.

Therefore, it can only be in the interest of both Germany and the EU that the coalition partners aim to make the country "the world's most innovative chemical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology hub" and develop a "Chemistry Agenda 2045." This ambition is already evident in several aspects of their government agenda, such as their commitment to supporting the circular economy and particularly the forward-looking chemical recycling.

Forward-Looking Points in the Coalition Agreement 

The partners also advocate for improving the framework conditions for sourcing strategically important raw materials within the EU, such as sodium chloride (high-purity salt). This too strengthens the chemical industry. Evaporated salt is the most important raw material for safely and cost-effectively producing chlorine and caustic soda – chemicals that are irreplaceable in many essential products of our daily lives, from plastics and medications to pesticides, paints, varnishes, and disinfectants.

Placing such issues in the European context is exactly right. As the EU's largest chemical industry hub by far, Germany can and must play a decisive role in building the community's competitiveness, innovative strength, and strategic sovereignty. All of this requires a strong chemical industry.

This seems to be clearer now in Brussels than before. The fact that Ursula von der Leyen is now engaging directly with companies and has hosted many of my colleagues and me at a chemical industry summit shows that the Commission President is making industrial policy her own top priority. If this approach takes hold in Berlin as well, we're already halfway there.

Jens Ufermann, Covestro: At Covestro, we are committed to accelerating the transition to a circular economy. In our projects, we work closely as a team, with colleagues from various departments, to tackle the different tasks hand in hand and achieve the optimal results for the customer. On the raw materials side, bio-based and recycled materials are central elements of our strategy. They help us reduce dependence on fossil resources and lower our CO₂ footprint. An example is our RE-compounds, which are made from mass-balanced bio-waste and by-products. By using these materials, we can offer high-quality, durable products that also help protect the environment.

How does a company like CUBOS, specializing in the design and installation of photovoltaic and charging solutions, percieve this development?

Christian Rühe, CUBOS: For us at CUBOS, sustainability is more than just a trend. We manufacture our wallboxes ourselves in Wolfsburg and focus on durable, environmentally friendly materials and processes. We do this not only for ecological reasons but also to offer our customers innovative and cost-effective solutions. For example, we screw the components of our wallboxes together rather than using adhesives. This saves glue and helps make the systems easier to maintain later on. Thanks to our typical modular design, we ensure that our products are more durable and, therefore, more cost-efficient. Sustainability and functionality must go hand in hand to create truly effective products. We are always actively seeking partners with whom we can become more sustainable together. That’s why collaborating with Covestro is a perfect fit for us.

Which products have you so far used more sustainable materials in, and how do you go about selecting more sustainable materials?

Christian Rühe, CUBOS: We produce, among other things, durable wallboxes, i.e., charging stations for electric cars. Recently, we launched our C44E wallbox. It’s an electric car charging station made from more sustainable materials than comparable products. Specifically, it uses materials from Covestro’s RE series. For our products, we have a strict selection process when it comes to materials. We always look for durable, sustainable materials. We scan the market in advance and choose material suppliers who share our vision of uncompromisingly high quality. The team at Covestro impressed us with their deep expertise and enthusiasm for new solutions. The RE products are a perfect fit for us: their property profile offers the same quality as conventional materials but is more sustainable and has a reduced CO₂-footprint.

How important are partnerships like this on the way to a circular economy?

Jens Ufermann, Covestro: It’s essential. As a material manufacturer, we are actively working to become climate-neutral and shift our raw material base. But without partners who can take our products and prepare and create the market for them, we cannot close the loop of the circular economy.

Christian Rühe, CUBOS: And in turn, we need the sustainable materials. If material manufacturers don’t get on board, we won’t be able to offer climate-neutral and circular products. We need each other, and therefore, we must work closely together to make the circular economy a reality. Through our partnership with Covestro, we want to show that we all need to pull together to successfully achieve the energy transition.

Copyright of the header image: ©CUBOS

Why Collaboration Matters

The chemical industry is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, and transitioning to a circular economy is no small feat. What has become abundantly clear is that no single company can achieve this alone. Collaboration and partnership aren’t just nice-to-have; they are essential drivers of progress.

Covestro’s commitment to becoming fully circular aligns perfectly with the GIC's mission. By working together with competitors, partners, and stakeholders across industries, we are moving from ambition to action. This is not just about addressing today’s challenges; it’s about building a foundation for a more sustainable future.

Leading Change Through Circular Plastics

One example I’m particularly proud of is the Automotive Circular Plastics project. This initiative addresses a critical challenge in the automotive sector: the integration of circular plastics. At Covestro, we’ve played a key role in identifying technological needs, outlining challenges, and forming partnerships across the value chain.

The project is more than just a theoretical exercise; it’s a practical effort to pilot innovative recycling solutions. By next year, we aim to establish a sustainable value chain for automotive plastics. The road is not without obstacles, including regulatory pressures and the limited availability of suitable waste streams, but I firmly believe that through collaboration and innovation, these barriers can be overcome.

Building Momentum

Looking ahead, I am filled with optimism. The industry is gaining momentum, and I see the results of our efforts coming to life. Success will mean scaling up pilot projects to an industrial level, generating the data needed to build viable business cases, and, most importantly, creating real impact.

At the same time, the growth of GIC itself is a promising sign of what’s to come. As more companies join the coalition, the collective power of our industry to drive meaningful change becomes even stronger.

A Future We Build Together

Sustainability is a shared responsibility, and our future depends on collaboration. My work at Covestro and with the GIC is driven by the belief that when we come together—sharing knowledge, resources, and ambitions—we can achieve far more than any one company could alone.

I’m inspired by what we’ve accomplished so far, but this is just the beginning. The journey toward circularity and net-zero emissions is long, but it’s one we must take, step by step, together. At Covestro, we remain fully committed to leading this transformation—not just for our industry but for the world we all share.

My adventure began in the biotech lab. There, Dirk Kreyenschulte, our biotech expert at Covestro, explained to me how bacteria and carbohydrates, found for example in wood chips, corn or green waste, can be used to produce an important precursor for plastics more sustainably. My personal highlight: Looking through the microscope. While observing the bustle, I secretly wondered if the bacteria knew they were little green revolutionaries. I mean, bacteria producing plastics – how cool is that?!

Plant manager Silvan Geara and distillation expert Annika Anheyer then guided me through the pilot plant, which looked so new and advanced that I almost felt like I was in another world. Pipes and cables wherever the eye could see. No chance I could keep an overview here. One must not forget at this point that although I deal with complex subject matters on a textual level every day, I spend most of my working time on a laptop and not in Covestro's labs and plants. So the complex pilot plant was quite a special sight for me too.

When I left the plant, my head was buzzing and I knew it would probably take a few days to process everything I had learned. Such things take time, just like the innovations I got to experience up close today. While we may not yet be ready to insulate our houses with plastic made from sugar, it's only a matter of time before my colleagues make this vision a reality.

I hope you're now eager to watch the report in which I guide you through this exciting world of bio-based aniline. I promise: You don't need any prior knowledge to follow along. And if you do have it, even better!

As a leading innovator in the field of plastics solutions, we could not agree more with that ambitious goal. We are convinced that plastics can be part of the solution!

Meet our future: We foster a circular economy that is part of everyday life

At CHINAPLAS 2024 (April 23-26), the world's leading technology-oriented plastics and rubber trade fair, we demonstrate how the plastics industry can do its part. Under the motto “Meet our future, today”, Covestro showcases the latest achievements for material innovations in the sectors Home, Life, and City. What we aim for is no less than an evolution towards a circular economy that is part of everyday life.

It is a big task, no doubt, but we have already come a long way. At Covestro, we offer our customers a growing portfolio of more sustainable polycarbonates. The mechanically recycled Makrolon^® R products and certified mass-balanced grades of the Makrolon^® RE series are being produced using biowaste and bio-residues such as used cooking oil.

Already today, numerous products are made from these materials, such as trendy luggage made of recycled water barrels, and switches and sockets made of biowaste and residues.

New materials allow for high-tech applications and can save resources

The newest member of the family and a milestone in building the circular economy is Makrolon^® RP, polycarbonates based on chemically recycled post-consumer waste via mass balance. It is the first product related to chemically recycled post-consumer waste to answer regulatory requirements such as the European End-of-Life Vehicle Directive (ELV) and the U.S. Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) for electronics products. As a solution with identical properties, production and product specifications as fossil-based polycarbonate, it helps to conserve fossil resources and to give a second life to existing waste streams.

Innovative polymer solutions can do even more. At CHINAPLAS, we introduced new polycarbonate copolymers APEC^® XT with unique and improved mechanical properties. There are many possible applications – in the electrical and electronics industries, in 5G communication, for IoT applications and e-mobility charging infrastructure, in the healthcare industry, and in sustainable energy solutions like photovoltaic.

Better together: How partnerships and cooperative research foster circularity

Innovation works best with cooperation. If we want to establish a fully circular economy, strong partnerships are vital. For example, we believe that the residual plastic from electronic devices is too valuable to be discarded and has the potential to be not only recycled but remade into similar electronic products. This is called closed-loop recycling. Achieving this would require commitment and collaboration among multiple value chain and ecosystem players.

Innovative recycling is a focus area of our cooperative research and development efforts to foster circularity. At Covestro, we support this vision also in the automotive sector. In China, Covestro started a pilot program with several international partners to create a closed loop for car-to-car plastic recycling in the automotive industry. A team of experts will research methods for recycling used polycarbonate parts, such as car headlights, into PCR polycarbonates. The recycled materials are then reused for various vehicle interior and exterior applications, saving resources and reducing CO₂ emissions.

So, to really make plastics part of the solution and to become fully circular, our industry must double their efforts to become part of the solution. Or, as a quote credited to inventor Thomas Edison puts it: “There’s a way to do it better. Find it.“

The two German chemical companies Henkel and Covestro decided to collaborate and to jointly contribute to the transition of this industry

Why alternative raw materials and the collaboration of companies like Henkel and Covestro are important and necessary for making buildings ever more sustainable is something we asked Dr. Sebastian Barth, Director Sustainable Materials at Henkel Adhesive Technologies, and Dr. Mathias Matner, Head of Sustainability at Covestro’s Coatings and Adhesives Business Entity.

Sebastian, Henkel wants to pioneer sustainability and reduce carbon emissions. How important is the role of sourcing the right raw materials for this endeavor?

Dr. Sebastian Barth: Sourcing the right raw materials is and will be absolutely vital. 60% of emissions along Henkel Adhesive Technologies’ value chain are purchased with the raw materials we source in form of so-called Scope 3 emissions. To understand CO₂ emissions of a certain raw material holistically, we have to differentiate between embedded carbon and process emissions and both of them have to be considered.

On the first of the two: In the chemical industry a lot of raw materials are based on crude oil or natural gas, which are made of carbon. Embedded emissions are produced when, at the end of useful life, a product is desegregating and CO₂ is released into the atmosphere. One of the most important concepts to driving circularity and address scope 3 end-of-life emissions is to transition from fossil carbon to renewable carbon for all organic chemicals and materials. Renewable carbon entails all carbon sources that avoid or substitute the use of any additional fossil carbon from the geosphere. It comes from sources which can be (re)grown, (re)captured or (re)cycled and it circulates between biosphere, atmosphere or technosphere, creating a carbon circular economy.

Process emissions in turn allude to the step of material processing that is required to refine our raw materials. It needs energy. It therefore creates further emissions that add to the overall carbon footprint of a product. The same goes for every player along the value chain. So everyone has to look at their own operations to ensure energy efficiency and switch to renewable energy sources. Addressing these so-called Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions is the homework we all have to do, if we want to lead by example. At Henkel we have set ourselves strong ambitions and want to become climate positive in our operations by 2030. This means we will cut down our emissions to zero and distribute surplus green energy to third parties. And we are well on track here: By 2023, as Henkel Adhesive Technologies business unit we achieved a share of over 90% of electricity sourced from renewable sources and reduced emissions by 55% per ton of product (vs. 2010 baseline).

What’s the take of a raw materials provider like Covestro on this?

Dr. Mathias Matner: At Covestro we see our responsibility and want to tackle this heads-on. We know that that we are an enabler for a sustainable transformation. Our materials can be found in thousands of end products. If we make our products more sustainable, it will therefore impact the carbon footprint of all these products. This is why we just like Henkel do our homework: We have set ourselves very ambitious targets for climate neutrality and push for circularity. We are already in full swing: By the end of 2023, we had almost one fifth of our electricity demand covered from alternative sources.

Furthermore, we are developing recycling technologies for our core materials such as precursors for soft foam, rigid foam or polycarbonates and others to enable their full circularity. And additionally, we are sourcing an ever increasing amount of alternative raw materials that have an ever lower carbon footprint compared to traditional fossil-based feedstock. You see: By altering our raw material base to more sustainable materials, and by being climate neutral ourselves, we try to push for change. So when pull is added from the markets, we are ready and can support. The way Covestro and Henkel are doing it for wood adhesives is a great example for how such a relationship and mutual influence works. It shows that things are moving into the right direction.

Where do you see the biggest gap/needs mid- and long-term to be filled to decarbonize materials and the chemical industry in general?

Dr. Sebastian Barth: This shift we are talking about is a centurial task. It involves nothing less than transforming energy supply, adjusting production processes, ramping up supply chains for alternative raw materials, switching logistics to carbon neutrality, and enabling full recyclability. All at the same time.

The good thing is: The topic is high on our, the political and societal agenda. However, the challenge currently lies in the scarcity of renewable energy, renewable carbon-based materials, cutting-edge technologies, and the essential infrastructure needed to bring about this change. To overcome these hurdles I see two success factors: The first one is an in-depth understanding of materials. That is why we at Henkel are diving into the intricacies of the value chains behind different raw materials, identifying levers for CO₂ reduction, and steering our raw material portfolio towards renewable carbon-based alternatives. The second success factor is end-to-end collaboration across the entire value chain. This involves utilizing know-how to cultivate collaboration, ensuring access to scarce materials, investing in and adapting new technologies, and engaging stakeholders along the value chain, for example right from the beginning of the product design.

Dr. Mathias Matner: I totally agree to what Sebastian is saying. We see that the transformation has already begun, but it is heavy work and won’t happen overnight. So in the public dialogue the constant impression is that it is not fast enough: Sharing this feeling, we are hitting the gas pedal but also see that we urgently need to accelerate in certain areas, for example the ramp-up of renewable energies and alternative raw material sources. For other areas like recycling we work on technology and value chains, but it will need strong targets and science-based, enabling regulation to accelerate the installation of collecting, sorting and recycling systems in a way that the economy becomes more circular and produces as little waste as possible. All of these necessary changes will require years of continuous innovation, investment and upscaling – and a profound cultural change. Covestro’s activities for a more sustainable future and cooperations like ours with Henkel reassure me: We are on the right path.

At K 2022 in Düsseldorf, I was now able to tell trade fair visitors about this very special partnership during a panel talk together with students Lina and Clemens from the solar car team. A great experience! We also had the Covestro Photon as exhibit at the trade show, our current Sonnenwagen model.

Personally, I think it's incredible what Covestro and the Sonnenwagen team have achieved together: Just recently, we actually became European Champions! And we also took 1st place in the Italian Solar Challenge! What a success! Not only for the students from Aachen, but for the whole Sonnenwagen team, which includes me as well.

What fascinates me so much about the project is the connection to the Team Sonnenwagen. It’s not only based on financial support, but on the close cooperation between Covestro and the students. We regularly exchange ideas, overcome setbacks together, go through defeats and, of course, share the successes in the races. Our colleagues at Covestro always join in the excitement when the solar car competes in a race somewhere in the world! Team Sonnenwagen now feels like part of the workforce at Covestro.

This very special partnership has grown over many years: the joint journey started back in 2019, when we already stood alongside the Team Sonnenwagen and provided materials to support the construction of the solar car. In July 2021, we renewed our sponsorship and I took over the project for Covestro. A lot has happened since then: We have presented the current Covestro Photon to the public, accompanied the team to European championships and exhibited the Sonnenwagen at the Covestro headquarter.

I'm particularly happy when colleagues say to me in the corridor at the office: "Hey, you're in the Sonnenwagen team! That was a great race in Belgium!". Even though I don't drive the Sonnenwagen myself and the engineering work that goes into the car is not my doing, it makes me proud to experience so many positive reactions.

How popular the team and the project are became very clear to me, when we were looking for ideas in an internal employee campaign to make the next solar car model even more efficient and sustainable. Soooo many ideas were submitted, that was really great! We are now evaluating the suggestions together with the students and take a look at how we can use them to build the next model.

Because the planning and development of the new model is already underway. I don't know the details yet, but I'm sure that we'll be able to present a great new Sonnenwagen in 2023 - with lots of materials from Covestro!“

2.       Our customers and partners.

3.       The many new connections that are driving us forward together in the direction of circular economy and climate neutrality.

4.       The solution-oriented exchange about existing challenges.

5.       The K will bring results: Impulses, ideas and concrete projects that help us realize our vision and implement our strategy.

6.       The very concrete feedback on our products and ideas.

7.       Things are moving forward and there is still something going on in and with our industry.

8.       There will be a backstage area - for inspiring conversations.

9.       Sunday will focus on Circular Design, together with the German Design Council.

10.   The K spirit in the team - that's something special, before and during the trade show, at Covestro and with our partners.

As a result, states and regions want to free themselves from dependencies and, if possible, become self-sufficient. In the USA, for example, the Senate recently passed a law to promote domestic chip production. And Germany has just reached an agreement with Canada to supply hydrogen and is hoping for liquid natural gas from there as well.

Striving for autonomy

But there is far more at stake in global power confrontation and alliance-building than fossil raw materials. Also at stake is access to many metals, without which modern life, let alone the transformation to a sustainable and digital future, is not possible. EU Commissioner Thierry Breton in particular has not tired of emphasizing how important it is for Europe to have access to lithium, nickel and the like, the deposits of which are mostly concentrated in a few countries.

In fact, nothing works without minerals. We will need copper to transport more electricity in the future. We can only build electric cars with lithium as well as cobalt and graphite. Rare earth metals are indispensable for wind turbines and photovoltaic modules. The demand for all these materials is expected to grow very strongly. A scenario published by Leiden University in the Netherlands in May predicts an increase of 400 percent for cobalt and no less than 2,100 percent for lithium in Europe between 2020 and 2050.

Securing resources – and conserving them

But securing more resources is only half the battle. It will only become a forward-looking concept if we also conserve more resources. To achieve this, the recycling of raw materials in particular must significantly pick up speed. Overall, only 8.6 percent of the world is circular. In some aeras, we are already well on the way: for example, more than 50 percent of metals such as iron, zinc and platinum are recycled in the EU, according to Breton.

In other areas, however, there is still a lot of potential for development. Take plastics, for example. A wonderful material without which the longed-for green, smart future is virtually impossible. Without plastics, there would be no electric cars, no wind turbines, and no smartphones. The downside is that far too little old plastic is recycled. In the EU, the recycling rate is only around one-third and worldwide approximately 15 percent. The plastic waste in the world's oceans speaks volumes.

We therefore urgently need to develop and expand waste disposal systems. And we need to boost forward-looking new processes such as chemical recycling. These are long-term, complex and difficult issues that are in danger of falling behind at the moment.

But to keep the global economy and key industries like energy, IT and chemicals going, we need to turn all the screws at the same time. We need to promote autonomy - with good judgment and without deepening confrontation and bloc-building.  We need to forge stable partnerships with like-minded peers. And we need to work at full steam towards a sustainable future by making the circular economy the global guiding principle.

With the switch to renewable energy, approximately 1.4 million kilograms of CO₂ emissions per year will be reduce. This corresponds to the average annual consumption of 1,500 households.

A transition powered by green energy

All three plants for coating and adhesive raw materials of Covestro in Spain now operate exclusively with electricity from renewable sources. Since the beginning of 2022, the Covestro plant in Zona Franca has been running exclusively on electricity from renewable sources. The other two sites in Parets del Vallès and Santa Margarida i els Monjos in Barcelona are already fully renewable.

Covestro is also working to soon power its Tarragona site with green electricity - which is very energy-intensive due to its different products. The first chlorine plant with ODC technology (Oxygen Depolarized Cathode) is already being built there. This innovation from Covestro reduces the energy consumption of chlorine production by a quarter.

As the chemical industry is traditionally energy-intensive, one of the biggest challenges is to ensure a more sustainable approach to its production and consumption. Global energy demand is expected to increase by nearly 50 percent over the next 30 years, and energy-related carbon dioxide emissions increased by six percent worldwide in 2021.

Covestro resolutely opposes climate crisis

Covestro’s long-term vision is to become a fully circular company. As part of this ambitious goal, Covestro’s production sites worldwide are to be gradually converted to renewable energy sources. By 2035, Covestro wants to become climate-neutral in production and purchased energy.

The advantage: Renewable energy sources can enhance diversity in energy supply markets, secure long-term sustainable energy supplies, and reduce emissions. The advance into a more renewable and circular future is not a simple matter. It is a complex and long-term process that requires of collaborative efforts from all the members of the society. But acting now can build a sustainable transition that leads to a more equitable, environmentally, and economically viable future.

The proposed solution, ‘D-Shield’, is a semitranslucent shield that minimises spray drift, blocking pesticides from drifting during application. The shield, made from low density, heat resistant polypropylene, is designed to be carried by individuals using backpack sprayers. This is often the case in developing countries, where plots are smaller and the expense of agricultural machinery is prohibitive. It is lightweight and affordable, making it advantageous considering the farmer's work conditions.

How can it tackle the current challenges of the agricultural sector?

The main agricultural challenge tackled is the pesticide's negative impact on the environment, on wildlife and on human health from drift pollution. The shield reduces by more than 50 percent the amount of chemicals that travel through the air to undesired targets, like insects, adjacent crops, or soil, which changes the dynamics of the water course in the global environmental issue called eutrophication. As production and application of pesticides represent 9 percent of the total energy and carbon emissions from the agricultural industry, the solution also helps saving resources by reducing the amount of pesticides needed.

How did you get inspired to create this solution?

I was initially inspired by a phenomenon called ‘digital divide’, which states that rural areas are becoming much less technologically developed than urban areas, building a gap that can cause social issues.

How do you feel to be the winner of a global competition such as DIP2021?

It is very rewarding to have come first in the Design Innovation in Plastics Awards. This competition has been an opportunity to design a product that solves a real issue, and I have learned a lot from it, e.g. the dimensions of the impact that the food industry has in our planet. Also, I have gained in-depth knowledge on polymers' application for design, from its manufacturing to its disposal.

Regarding this visit to Covestro in Barcelona, what are the main learnings? Have we succeeded in inspiring you to work some day e.g. on products for coatings and adhesives?

The visit to Covestro in Barcelona was great. I was able to see first-hand the production process of resins from raw materials, a stage which usually designers don't focus too much on. Along with a fantastic welcome and explanation on their work from different employees in the plant, I truly enjoyed the visit. I have learned the relevant applications and production of coatings and adhesives, a knowledge that will be useful in my career, and hopefully I will learn more about this topic.

What did you know about Covestro before the contest?

I got to know Covestro during the contest, and I got fascinated by their production and distribution of polymers worldwide. Mostly, I was interested in their R&D in new polymers with properties that tackle current needs, like battery protection and packaging. Its applications in mobility grabbed my attention because it is a sector I truly enjoy and I would love to work on some day.

Do you know Covestro’s vision to become fully circular? What do you think of this commitment to society and the planet?

Covestro's vision was explained to me during the visit in Barcelona and I think it is a very remarkable action form the company. If I remember well, Covestro is one of the leaders in sustainability regarding polymers production and it is much below of the international regulations' index, meaning that the commitment is genuine. I believe that a circular economy is key in achieving the United Nations 2030 sustainability development goals, and that everyone involved in the production, design, manufacture and consumption should make an effort to facilitate it.

What are your short term perspectives in your academic and professional career? Would you like to work with polymers and/or keep inventing solutions to global challenges?

My passion is design, so everything related to it is interesting to me. I am excited about interaction design and I am currently working on my master's thesis on it. I would love to work for the creative industry in solutions that integrate digital technology and physical products, and that solve relevant issues. Polymers are directly involved in physical solutions since they are among the most used materials in product design and I will keep learning to achieve specialised knowledge on their production, manufacture, and applications.

24h hours of racing in solar cars. Some may now ask themselves how this is even possible with no sunlight recharging the cars at night. Let me explain the race briefly:

• 24 hours of racing
• 22 solar cars
• Driver changes every 2 hours
• Recharging allowed for a maximum of 2 hours

The race went well for Team Sonnenwagen. The new car, the "Covestro Photon", was tested in race mode, the perfect preparation for the upcoming Solar Challenge Morocco in October. The old model, the "Covestro Sonnenwagen", which had an accident at the 2019 World Solar Challenge in Australia, is still one of the best solar cars in the field and finished second overall.

You are curious to learn more about the race and our journey with Team Sonnenwagen? Watch this video and get insights from Covestro CCO Sucheta Govil, who supported the team last weekend in Belgium:

Note: The event took place in compliance with all corona rules applicable under Belgian law.

CO₂ technology in sports surfaces

The highlight is the binder of the sports floor – there, or more precisely: in one component of it, a so-called polyol called cardyon®, Covestro's CO₂ technology is used. This raw material contains up to 20 percent CO₂. In it, the greenhouse gas replaces an equivalent amount of petroleum-based fossil raw materials that were previously required for its production. The subfloor is then made from rubber granules and the more sustainable binder. So at the end of the field hockey tournaments in Tokyo, not only did the women's team from the Netherlands and the men's team from Belgium win, the climate and fossil resources also benefited from the recycling of CO₂.

Other field hockey fields for large and small sporting events are also equipped with Polytan's more sustainable artificial turf based on CO₂ technology, for example in Germany. The system made its debut at the Gerd-Wellen field hockey facility of the "Crefelder Hockey und Tennis Club 1890 e.V." (Crefelder HTC) in Krefeld. In the meantime, the new artificial turf is also being used at Sparkassenpark in Mönchengladbach: The pitch was renewed with it especially for this year's FIH Pro League. These examples show that sport is not only healthy, it can also contribute to sustainability.

Foams – yes, they too belong to plastics – are used to reduce the energy needed for cooling and heating in building insulation. In addition, lightweight vehicle components made of plastic minimize fuel consumption, and innovative materials such as sustainable coatings make wind turbines more productive and economical.

2) Plastics make the world smarter, healthier and more comfortable

Materials made of polycarbonate, with their special high-performance properties, are driving the new 5G mobile communications technology. In addition, the use of plastics in medical technology is enabling numerous new innovations. Polyurethane foams are also used in mattresses, making them comfortable and durable.

3) Many key industries rely on high-quality plastics

Worldwide, 390 million tons of plastics are processed in various industries annually. The construction and automotive industries are the main customers. High-performance plastics are also indispensable in the medical and mobility sectors.