“The circular economy must prove its value in markets. The global launch of this new suitcase shows recycled materials can meet expectations for both performance and design,” said Lily Wang, President of Engineering Plastics at Covestro. “We are pleased to deepen our long-standing collaboration with NINETYGO and to help more Chinese brands differentiate globally through sustainability.”

“NINETYGO is committed to advancing sustainable travel worldwide. Today’s consumers expect not only quality and design, but also environmental responsibility,” said Alisa Shang, CEO of Runmi Technology, which owns NINETYGO. “Together with Covestro, we are bringing to market a new generation of PCR-based luggage that combines performance with sustainability, while strengthening our global competitiveness.” 

Combining sustainability and durability

The suitcase shell is made from Makrolon® R90 with up to 90 percent recycled content, sourced from end-of-life water barrels. Since 2020, Covestro has collaborated with partners to recycle around 1 million 19-liter polycarbonate barrels annually, converting them into high-quality PCR material for use in consumer goods, electronics and home appliances.

For example, a 20-inch suitcase from the Coffee Journey Series reduces the shell carbon footprint by over 67 percent[1] compared to the previous version, thanks to a higher content of circular materials.

In terms of performance, the recycled material maintains strong impact resistance at room temperature and in extreme conditions down to -20°C. It also offers excellent color versatility, with this new Coffee Journey Series available in three colors: Flat White, Americano and Latte, reflecting the material’s natural aesthetic.

Enabling global reach through sustainability

NINETYGO first partnered with Covestro in 2021 to launch a limited-edition suitcase using PCR polycarbonate. The global debut of the Coffee Journey Series marks a deepening collaboration between the two companies and underscores the accelerating trend of sustainable material adoption in consumer products.

Environmental requirements in international markets have tightened in recent years. Regulations such as the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are raising the bar for market entry. The PCR polycarbonate used in the latest NINETYGO series contains non intentionally added PFAS (NIA-PFAS) and aligns with proposed EU PFAS restrictions. With strict raw material control and standardized production, it delivers performance comparable to virgin materials and is certified by third parties for PCR content.

Visit Covestro at CHINAPLAS 2026, Hall 7.2, Booth C38, National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), to discover how the Material Effect is shaping the future.

[1] Based on NINETYGO internal calculations.

Under the agreements, signed during CHINAPLAS 2026, Covestro and Hikrobot will co-develop solutions for parcel sorting, factory automation and related applications, with Hikrobot prioritizing Covestro’s material solutions and receiving full R&D support. The collaboration with Carthane will focus on commercializing advanced materials for critical robot components such as feet.

“Covestro is evolving from a material supplier to a strategic enabler across the robotics value chain,” said Lily Wang, President of Engineering Plastics at Covestro. “At a critical stage of industrial-scale deployment, we are deepening collaboration with industry pioneers to advance next-generation materials, accelerate scalable production, and embed sustainability from the start — supporting the robotics industry on a greener path.”

Partnering with Hikrobot for smart logistics

Hikrobot is a provider of machine vision, mobile robots and articulated robot products and solutions, focusing on industrial IoT, smart logistics and intelligent manufacturing. Covestro and Hikrobot are joining forces to develop products and system solutions for smart logistics and intelligent manufacturing.

“We are delighted to enter this strategic partnership with Covestro in high-performance materials and intelligent logistics. Covestro’s comprehensive material technology support will help Hikrobot enhance its product innovation capabilities and market competitiveness. We look forward to achieving more breakthroughs together at both the technology and product levels,” said Xie Mingqiang, Vice President and Head of Supply Chain at Hikrobot.

As the logistics industry accelerates its intelligent transformation, robots face increasing demands for precision, stability and service life. Under the MoU, the two companies will co-develop applications in express delivery, e-commerce and factory automation. Hikrobot will prioritize Covestro’s material solutions, while Covestro will provide comprehensive R&D and testing support.

Covestro addresses key challenges in smart logistics with advanced materials. For example, Bayblend® polycarbonate enables lightweight, impact-resistant housings and structural components, while Makrolon® polycarbonate offers high infrared transmittance for precise sensing and movement.

Partnering with Carthane: from automotive to robotics

Building on their established collaboration in elastomer materials for the automotive sector, Covestro and Carthane will expand into robotics, focusing on applications such as robot feet.

“Covestro is a long-trusted strategic partner of ours. Our successful collaboration in the automotive sector provides a solid foundation for this expansion into robotics. Covestro’s strengths in material innovation complement Carthane’s capabilities in value chain management and systems integration, and together we will drive the commercial adoption of advanced materials in the robotics sector,” said Hou Zhenkun, Director and General Manager of Carthane.

Robot feet and joints require high performance in shock absorption, noise reduction, impact resistance and durability. Covestro’s Vulkollan® elastomer, with its outstanding dynamic load-bearing capacity and fatigue resistance, as well as excellent wear and impact resistance, effectively protects critical robotic components, significantly extends the service life of robot feet, and enhances overall operational stability and reliability.

Visit Covestro at CHINAPLAS 2026, Hall 7.2, Booth C38, National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), to discover how the Material Effect is shaping the future.

“Technological innovation is advancing at an unprecedented pace, reshaping industries worldwide. The rapid rise of AI in particular is creating a wave of new applications,” said Lily Wang, President of Engineering Plastics at Covestro. “In response, Covestro continues to develop sustainable, high-performance solutions for customers, leveraging the ‘Material Effect’ to redefine industry boundaries and drive innovation in next-generation mobility, electrical and electronics, and healthcare, while advancing our commitment to a circular economy.”

Advancing Intelligence Frontiers

Advances in AI and intelligent technologies are reshaping industry boundaries, giving rise to sectors such as low-altitude aviation, embodied intelligence and smart energy. These emerging industries require lightweight design, long-term reliability and high system safety to scale commercially, creating new demands for advanced materials.  

At CHINAPLAS 2026, Covestro will showcase the AirCab flying car developed by Chinese partner GOVY, illustrating the material possibilities for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. From lightweight polycarbonate windshields and integrated roof sensor modules to polyurethane encapsulation foams for battery safety and sustainable coating solutions for lightweight aircraft bodies, Covestro’s portfolio addresses key material challenges of eVTOL aircraft, helping them fly farther and more safely. Covestro materials also support AI navigation systems and lightweight structures for drones, helping advance the next generation of logistics.

Covestro will also present its complete solutions for humanoid robots. Polycarbonate enhances robot structural components with outstanding impact resistance for safer operation in challenging environments; in chip and electronic control housings and support structures, it enables efficient heat dissipation and integration with precision components; in battery enclosures, its flame-retardant properties maintain even temperature distribution for long-term stable operation under high heat; and in sensor housings, its high infrared transmittance supports accurate environmental sensing. In addition, rigid polycarbonate films can support human–machine interaction through ambient lighting effects and touch functionality, while flexible TPU films enable tactile sensing in dexterous hands and electronic skin.

In the smart energy sector, the increasing integration of energy storage, charging infrastructure and grid systems places higher demands on long-term outdoor reliability. Covestro’s polycarbonate solutions for equipment enclosures deliver durable performance in demanding environments, supporting applications ranging from energy storage and EV charging stations to residential clean-energy systems and portable power solutions.

Elevating Smart Living

As AI reshapes industries and daily life, it is raising the bar for everyday devices and the infrastructure behind them. Data centers and supercomputers need materials that meet strict standards for flame retardancy, thermal management and structural strength under high-density computing loads. Covestro’s bio-circular attributed Makrolon® RE solutions can help ensure reliable operation while reducing carbon emissions by around 80 percent compared to conventional alternatives.[1] For consumer electronics such as gaming devices and AI-powered laptops, Covestro offers glass fiber-reinforced or carbon fiber-reinforced engineering plastics with high stiffness, high translucency and flame retardancy, enhancing product performance, design and user experience.

Connectivity is also evolving rapidly, with satellite broadband bringing reliable, high-speed internet directly to homes, even in remote areas. Covestro’s engineering plastics ensure high signal transmittance, impact resistance and mechanical durability for terminals, enabling stable operation around the clock in demanding environments.

Empowering Connected & Trusted Healthcare

As wearable devices, remote care and AI-assisted diagnostics become more widespread, healthcare is moving closer to the home. Covestro has developed medical-grade material solutions across wearable monitoring, molecular diagnostics and precision drug delivery, helping enable a more connected and trusted healthcare ecosystem.

In diagnostics, Covestro showcases its material solutions through the Maestro point-of-care demonstrator. Built around Makrolon® Dx polycarbonate, the device leverages its optical clarity and low fluorescence to improve signal accuracy, enabling more precise molecular diagnostics in connected devices. In drug delivery, Covestro’s all-polycarbonate injection pen demonstrator uses low-friction, glass fiber-reinforced medical-grade polycarbonates to ensure smooth delivery, structural strength and dimensional stability. Adhesive-free assembly also enables easier disassembly and recycling. For medical wearables designed for extended wear, Covestro’s TPU films offer skin-friendly softness and excellent elasticity, providing a barely-there fit.

Visit Covestro at CHINAPLAS 2026, Hall 7.2, Booth C38, National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), to discover how the Material Effect is shaping the future.

[1] The CO2 footprint reduction is based on a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment comparing Makrolon® RE to conventional polycarbonate and considers biogenic carbon uptake. The certified bio-circular share is attributed through mass balance methodology according to ISCC PLUS.