Our future structure

Seven entities with a clear focus

Print
Bookmark
Twitter ShareFacebook ShareLinkedIn Share
As of July 1, 2021, Covestro’s business structure will be aligned even more closely with customer needs. The current Polyurethanes (PUR), Polycarbonates (PCS), and Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties (CAS) business units will be restructured to form seven new business entities. These business entities will be tasked with independently managing their respective businesses to serve their customers optimally.

The business entities will be grouped in two larger divisions, namely Performance Materials and Solutions and Specialties. Performance Materials will focus on reliably supplying standard products such as Standard Polycarbonates, Standard Urethane Components, and Base Chemicals.

Solutions and Specialties will be home to customized chemical products and smaller-scale application services that add value for our customers. Solutions and Specialties will encompass the Tailored Urethanes, Thermoplastic Polyurethanes, Coatings and Adhesives, Elastomers, Engineering Plastics, and Specialty Films business entities.

Our products and services will therefore no longer be grouped by chemical but instead by the underlying business specifics and customer needs. Each business entity will have the necessary decision-making power to manage their business optimally to ensure that we integrate so called “run activities” straight into their operations.

We have also consolidated certain cross-company build activities on a corporate level to ensure our long-term development. These include sustainability, innovation, digitalization, and strategy.

This new structure will help us fulfill our strategic aims to "become the best of who we are", set the course for sustainable growth, and fulfil our vision to become fully circular.

 

Until July 1st, however, we continue to operate in our current three business units. Here’s what they do in a nutshell:

Polyurethanes: foam and more

With its largest segment, Polyurethanes (PUR), Covestro is the global leader in the development, production and marketing of polyurethanes, a class of plastics discovered in 1937 at Covestro’s predecessor company in Leverkusen. Since then, the versatile material has found its way into many areas of modern life - be it in the form of soft or rigid foam or as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

Polyurethanes essentially are made from two components, polyol and isocyanate, which Covestro manufactures. Added to the combination of these two are various ingredients or additives.

Our scientists work on ever new components and combinations of these ingredients to bring the final touch to the resulting product. This may be stiffness of soft foams or the size of the foam’s pores, for example.

Polycarbonates – the all-rounder

Thanks to it's many good properties, the plastic polycarbonate has been an ongoing success story ever since it was discovered in 1953 in what is today Covestro’s Uerdingen site. Our Polycarbonates (PCS) segment leads the development of this lightweight, transparent, virtually unbreakable and easy-to-shape material. Primarily sold under the brand name Makrolon® by Covestro, the premium plastic is an excellent substitute for materials such as glass.

Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties – for that special, final touch

The Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties (CAS) segment of Covestro develops and supplies substances that make end products more attractive and durable, enhance their value and give them that special, final touch. At the same time the materials often bring a productivity boost with them by reduced curing times, faster processing or less solvent demand. What makes CAS stand out from the competition is it's distinctive business approach: we develop our solutions not just for, but together with our clients along the entire value chain to make the world a brighter place.