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Pioneering more sustainable toluene diisocyanate (TDI) via mass balance
TDI, a raw material for flexible polyurethane foam, provides a high level of comfort in everything from upholstered furniture to car seats to shoes. We can now significantly reduce CO₂ footprint, while maintaining excellent, comfort via mass balance in TDI production.
Story · July 8, 2022
Striving toward climate-neutral with mass-balanced TDI
Offering renewable-attributed TDI via mass balance is a next milestone towards making this important chemical raw material even more sustainable. Years ago, our unique gas phase technology already made the production of TDI more energy efficient. This allowed us to continue our path to climate-neutral production and the circular economy. By using renewable-attributed raw materials via mass balance, we strive to significantly reduce our indirect emissions in the supply chain, and to offer products with a reduced carbon footprint.
Customers can use mass-balanced TDI immediately in their production without any changeover, meaning it can be implemented rapidly and easily in existing production processes without the need for technical modification.
Sinomax: a pioneering partner for more sustainability
We have signed our first commercial supply contract with Sinomax, a global manufacturer and distributor of polyurethane comfort products based in China. Both companies share a clear commitment toward the circular economy, and Sinomax wants to be the first customer to use the mass balanced TDI to reduce its CO2 emissions. The mass-balanced TDI required for this is supplied by our Shanghai site. Thanks to the global presence of our Shanghai site, the company can supply larger amounts of renewable-attributed TDI.
Introducing ‘CQ’ – our branding to underline our commitment to circularity
To reflect our commitment to circularity, and to make it even clearer how our products support our circular vision as well as your path towards sustainability, we are introducing a branding, ‘CQ,’ for our products that drive circularity. The branding suffix ‘CQ’ stands for circular intelligence. Together, C and Q underline how essential innovative solutions can drive circularity forward. The range of solutions carrying CQ will constantly grow. One of the first products available, with a significantly reduced carbon footprint, are Desmodur® CQ T80 and Desmodur® CQ T65.
More sustainable TDI reduces CO2 footprint for high-comfort
Renewable-attributed TDI for flexible foam
Our Mass Balance Approach – transparent and credible
Covestro is moving away from fossil raw materials to help our customers in numerous industries meet their sustainability targets. The company's mass balance approach is a key enabler of a quick transition from fossil to alternative raw materials, particularly in complex and large-scale production processes.
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