Emerging cockpit concepts include seats capable of sensing occupant body shape and adapting posture settings for enhanced comfort, as well as interior surfaces that can interpret touch inputs and deliver precise haptic feedback. Yet delivering these functions across increasingly complex three-dimensional designs remains a challenge, as conventional rigid materials and hard circuits often lack the flexibility, durability and integration capability required.

Under the MoU, Covestro will lead the R&D and industrialization of relevant thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film substrates. With outstanding flexibility, durability, processing versatility, ink adhesion and long-term stability, TPU films are a critical substrate for ultra-flexible printed electronics systems. This complements Genofort’s expertise in the development and industrialization of haptic interaction assembly systems, creating a fully integrated value chain.

The collaboration will focus on key automotive interior applications including center consoles, steering wheels, door panels, seats and headliners, with the ambition of integrating body-shape sensing, adaptive comfort, thermal regulation, health monitoring and responsive touch interaction into unified solutions that enhance both occupant comfort and cabin intelligence.

The two companies also plan to jointly support the development of relevant industry standards, helping accelerate commercialization and broader adoption of ultra-flexible haptic technologies across the automotive sector.

“The next generation of intelligent cockpits places entirely new demands on interior materials. They must not only conform to complex surfaces, but also enable sensing and interaction functions,” said Weihong Du, Head of Marketing and Development Asia-Pacific, Specialty Films, Covestro. “Through our collaboration with Genofort, we aim to bring material innovation and system integration closely together, helping advance flexible haptic interaction technology from the laboratory to large-scale production and delivering differentiated solutions for automotive customers.”

“Ultra-flexible haptic interaction systems represent a critical direction for the intelligent transformation of automotive interiors,” said Lingyao Lu, Chairman of Genofort. “Covestro’s leadership in high-performance film materials forms a powerful complement to our proprietary system integration technology. This collaboration will accelerate the global adoption of ultra-flexible printed electronics, enable us to enter the global premium supply chain, and together open new frontiers in this arena.”

Secure document personalization—the process of embedding personal information into secure identity documents such as passports, national identity cards and driver’s licenses—requires precise alignment between material performance and equipment.

Under their agreement, Covestro will leverage its deep technical expertise in polycarbonate films and specialty functional materials, while EMPTECH brings extensive experience in system integration and ID document equipment, engineering and supply. Together, the partners will address the growing technical demands of this sector.

“Demand for high-security documents in emerging markets is rising rapidly, alongside increasing expectations for innovative and adaptable solutions, as well as reliable deployment,” said Dr. Caroline Wolff, Head of Specialty Films Asia-Pacific at Covestro. “By combining our complementary strengths in technology, materials and innovation, we are well positioned to deliver proven, effective solutions to this very dynamic market and to provide even higher value to our customers.”

“Material performance plays a critical role in determining the security of document products,” said Sean Zheng, CEO of EMPTECH. “Through this partnership with Covestro, we are strengthening our technical capabilities and overall competitiveness in emerging market projects.”

Marquardt, a leading supplier of smart mechatronic systems for automotive applications, set out to address this challenge with its concept car, “The Centum”. A key objective in The Centum project was to develop a door interior panel that maintained the visual and haptic properties of polyurethane (PU)-coated textile synthetics commonly used in automotive interiors, while enabling a dynamic color-changing responsive display to be invisibly embedded within the surface. This functionality supports emerging trends such as backlit surfaces and integrated control elements.

To realize this vision, Marquardt partnered with E Ink, a leader in advanced display technology known for durability, low energy consumption, and suitability for demanding environments. The challenge was to integrate the functional display into the interior design in a way that preserved the premium appearance and performance of coated synthetic surfaces, while allowing the display’s colors to remain clearly visible.

After evaluating multiple approaches, Marquardt approached Covestro to develop a suitable material solution. Covestro textile coating experts worked closely with both partners to develop a fully transparent film based on INSQIN^® waterborne PU technology, with Impranil^® DLC-F as the foundation. Impranil^® DLC-F is a waterborne polyurethane dispersion widely used in topcoats for automotive interior textile coatings. The result is a transparent coated synthetic that retains the premium texture of automotive textiles while allowing the display’s dynamic colors to be fully visible, fulfilling the demanding performance requirements of automotive interiors.

Felix Hake, Head of Innovation at Marquardt said: “With The Centum, we wanted to demonstrate how intelligent functions can be integrated into interior surfaces without compromising design or quality. Working with E Ink and Covestro allowed us to create a material solution that combines a premium tactile experience with responsive visual effects.”

Dr. Torsten Pohl, Global Head of Textile Coatings at Covestro added: “This project highlights the versatility of INSQIN^® PU technology and Impranil^® DLC-F. By developing a transparent, automotive-grade PU coated synthetic compatible with E Ink displays, we were able to support Marquardt in integrating dynamic functionality into familiar surface materials.”

Pete Valianatos, Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives & FPL Platform Management at E Ink, noted: “Our e-paper display technology is designed to deliver dynamic visual experiences with low power consumption, while maintaining the robustness required for demanding applications. Collaborating with Marquardt and Covestro has enabled us to demonstrate how E Ink displays can be integrated behind coated interior surfaces, allowing automotive designers to introduce adaptive color features without changing the established look and feel of premium materials.”

To see what this responsive functional surface looks like, visit Techtextil 2026, held in Frankfurt between April 21 and 24. A door panel demonstrator will be on display at the Covestro booth C79 in hall 11.0.

Following Covestro’s acquisition of Pontacol, selected thermoplastic adhesive film products will be showcased at the Covestro booth. Fully integrated into the Covestro portfolio, Pontacol^® solutions expand the company’s range of adhesive and functional film offerings for customers across key markets.

Textile Coatings

The Covestro Textile Coatings team will present waterborne, partially bio-based, and mass-balanced polyurethane (PU) technologies for technically demanding coated textile applications. Exhibits include an automotive door panel design for a concept car, developed jointly with Marquardt Group and E Ink, that integrates a responsive color-changing e-paper display behind a see-through PU-coated synthetic surface. Based on waterborne INSQIN^® PU technology from Covestro, the transparent coated film enables vivid display visibility while meeting the performance and haptic requirements of automotive interiors.

The team will also demonstrate how antimicrobial PU-coated textiles, combining INSQIN^® with AGXX technology from Heraeus Precious Metals, can deliver enhanced hygiene and durability in high-contact applications.

Specialty Films

The Covestro Specialty Films team is presenting its high-performance thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film portfolio, specifically engineered to meet demanding technical requirements across diverse industries. Dureflex^® and Platilon^® TPU films deliver exceptional flexibility, durability, and consistent performance in applications ranging from automotive interiors to high-stress sports equipment and innovative cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) systems that enable pipe repair without disruptive excavation.

At the exhibition, visitors can experience smart technology concepts where Covestro's TPU films serve as substrates for flexible printed electronics in protective apparel. The advanced Platilon^® TPU films enable integrated electroluminescent features that significantly enhance visibility and safety in low-light conditions. This concept illustrates Covestro’s commitment to innovation and functional, high-performance solutions.

Thermoplastic Polyurethanes (TPU)

The TPU team will present Desmopan^® AIR, a durable, versatile, and easy-to-recycle material for cushioning applications. Desmopan^® AIR technology introduces a new class of customized TPU-based cushioning solutions. As it can be recycled through simple thermo-mechanical processing, it helps manufacturers develop high-quality cushioning products with improved sustainability. TPU-based cushioning structures can also be combined with other TPU applications, such as TPU nonwoven materials, enabling monomaterial designs.

In addition, the team will present Desmopan^® FLY, an ultra-flexible, low-viscosity TPU solution engineered for Supercritical fluid (SCF) foam injection molding. It enables the production of thin, durable, and highly flexible films and textile applications, combining outstanding wear resistance with reduced material weight.

A shared focus on enabling the textile industry

The company’s presence at Techtextil 2026 emphasizes how raw material innovation can help textile manufacturers meet evolving regulatory, environmental, and market demands, while maintaining efficient production and high product performance.

“We look forward to presenting our material solutions at Techtextil and demonstrating how they can translate into practical progress for the textile industry,” said Dr. Torsten Pohl, Head of Global Textile Coatings at Covestro. “Together with our partners and customers, we will continue to explore applications that support more sustainable products and more efficient manufacturing.”

Techtextil will be held at Messe Frankfurt from April 21–24, 2026. Attendees can find Covestro in Hall 11.0, Booth C79.

Additional information on Covestro’s presence at the Techtextil can be found here.

“Our customers are under pressure to innovate faster in today’s dynamic markets, and product cycles are getting shorter,” said Dr. Caroline Wolff, Head of Specialty Films for Asia Pacific at Covestro. “The expanded Shanghai TCC allows us to move beyond supplying materials and become a true development partner. By strengthening our prototyping and simulation capabilities locally, we can serve customers across Asia Pacific with greater agility, accelerate development timelines, and advance exciting next-generation applications such as smart automotive surfaces and humanoid robots.”

Upgraded equipment with enhanced capabilities

The TCC has upgraded its Film Insert Molding (FIM) capabilities, a technology that enables one-step fabrication of plastic components with a decorated or functional surface. This creates smart surfaces such as automotive exteriors and interiors with built-in functionalities like lighting, heating and controls. The new equipment includes a larger screen printer that can handle polycarbonate films nearly twice the previous size. This allows the team to prototype larger components, such as automotive front grilles, where sensors and display elements can be directly integrated into the exterior surfaces.

The upgraded facility now provides integrated FIM support, from selecting suitable resins and films to screen printing, forming, trimming and final molding. Flexible tooling systems help reduce prototyping costs and shorten development cycles. Design feasibility simulation enables early validation of concepts before full production.

Flexible Printed Electronics for robots 

The expansion also includes specialized equipment for Flexible Printed Electronics (FPE), which are electronic circuits printed on flexible substrates like TPU films that can be used in wearable devices and robots. A dedicated screen printer designed for conductive inks ensures precise control during circuit printing, while a new thermal forming machine allows the team to test how circuits perform when shaped into complex 3D forms. Maintaining electrical performance during forming remains a key challenge in flexible electronics. This supports emerging applications such as tactile sensors in dexterous hands and electronic skin for humanoid robots. The TCC also advises customers on processing conditions and circuit design.

The Specialty Films TCC is part of Covestro’s Asia-Pacific Innovation Center, which brings together R&D capabilities from multiple business units and the central group innovation function, with shared technical and digital infrastructure. “Expanding the Specialty Films facility shows our commitment to building world-class innovation capabilities closer to customers in Asia Pacific,” said Dr. Guo Ruijing, Head of Group Innovation and Sustainability Asia Pacific, and Head of the Asia-Pacific Innovation Center, Covestro. “It will also foster closer collaboration across our businesses and functions within the Innovation Center.”

Advancing document integrity with polymeric innovation

Following the successful launch of Certevo^® in 2024, Covestro now demonstrates how the material is being integrated into real-world security printing applications including certificates, diplomas, vehicle registration papers, and fiscal documents. Engineered for high-security substrates, Certevo^® combines reliable print performance and precise laser engravability in a fully recyclable, single-polymer design—helping document producers enhance security while supporting circularity in material use.

“Certevo^® is already proving its value beyond the lab,” says Daniel Hentschel, Global Segment Manager for ID & Security Printing Specialty Films at Covestro. “It tackles two core challenges at once: enhancing document security through excellent offset intaglio printing tactility, and laser personalization, while advancing recyclability and circular design. Its outstanding durability and print receptivity extend document lifespan and help conserve valuable resources across the entire value chain.”

Enhancing passport security with laser-personalized TPU covers

Covestro’s new laser personalization concept for passport covers, made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), enables document manufacturers and personalization hubs to customize covers using standard laser-engraving systems. This innovation transforms the cover into an active security feature, enhancing each document’s protection and uniqueness. The process can also produce tactile Braille markings, reflecting Covestro’s commitment to both authenticity and accessibility in passport design.

Decentralized color personalization for secure and flexible issuance

Addressing a key industry challenge, Covestro’s Secure Color Personalization technology enables decentralized, color portrait personalization without compromising security. The process combines digital printing and laser personalization with specialized polycarbonate overlay film to structurally integrate portraits into ID documents. This three-step "tattooing" technique creates tamper-evident documents with unique tactile patterns, while supporting faster local issuance and greater system resilience.

"This technology delivers the security benefits of centralized production with the flexibility of decentralized personalization," emphasizes by Daniel Hentschel, "The result is more secure, citizen-friendly document issuance that sets a new standard for ID systems worldwide."

Covestro will showcase its latest materials portfolio for identity and currency applications at TRUSTECH 2025 during December 2–4 at Paris Expo – Porte de Versailles, Pavilion 5.2, stand C055. Visitors can also attend an Expert Innovation Talk by Georgios Tziovaras, our Global Application Development Manager, on “Secure Color Personalization of Polycarbonate (PC) Documents.”.

Latest info on Covestro’s K fair presence:

• Experience “The Material Effect” at K 2025 at Covestro | Covestro AG

Additional Press Releases:

• From Materials to Solutions: Covestro Brings "The Material Effect" to K 2025
• Digital Material Twins in Automotive Design: Imagio^® of Covestro Now Integrated into Autodesk VRED
• Covestro deepens collaboration with Ausell to advance end-of-life automotive plastics recycling
• More speed from design to series production
• From old tires to new car parts: Covestro, Neste and Borealis aim at closing loop for automotive industry 
• Covestro and Deloitte jointly develop Monetization Framework for Circular Economy
• Life Cycle Assessments digitalized: boosting transparency

Covestro at a Glance:

Are you looking for more information? Here you could find further facts about Covestro.

Monique Buch, Chief Commercial Officer at Covestro: "The chemical industry and many of its key customer industries face profound transformations – on the path to circular economy, through AI and digitalization, or due to geopolitics and the realignment of global markets. With our expertise in high-performance materials, process and application development, we remain part of the solution and support our customers in achieving their goals."

The solutions presented at "K" are organized across the booth in the areas of Automotive, Electronics, Healthcare, Sports and Leisure, as well as Sustainable Future. They showcase "The Material Effect" in application across various industries and underline the company's long-term vision of a complete alignment with the circular economy. This vision remains the North Star for Covestro and the industry – despite short-term challenges and overlapping crises that require resilience and adaptability.

Materials with Impact: "The Material Effect" in Practice

Jochen Hardt, Booth Manager and Vice President Global Marketing Mobility in the Engineering Plastics business entity at Covestro: "At our booth, visitors can experience first-hand how 'The Material Effect' becomes reality in concrete applications. We deliberately present not only materials and products but showcase well-designed system solutions that offer real added value to our customers. My team and I at Covestro look forward to engaging with visitors throughout the fair!"

Sustainable Future

In the "Sustainable Future" area, Covestro demonstrates its comprehensive commitment to the circular economy. This includes the "CQ" portfolio, which marks products containing at least 25% alternative raw materials. Another example is the technology developed by Covestro and partners for producing plant-based aniline. Also featured are several car-to-car recycling projects that advance circularity in the automotive industry. For example, the NALYSES project, where Covestro works together with partners like HELLA and BMW on the circularity of headlights. Or a pilot program with NIO, VW, and GIZ for recycling polycarbonate parts. For the latter, visitors will find materials labeled "RE", "RP", and "R" at the booth – these are partly made from alternative raw materials.

Automotive

Highlight in the automotive area: The SUE "People Mover" – a prototype vehicle for public transportation. The autonomous e-shuttle was designed and developed by UE | STUDIOS. It features large-scale, curved 3D polycarbonate glazing as well as seamless integration of driver assistance systems and sensors, also using polycarbonate. The lightweight, highly durable monomaterial Arfinio® is used in the interior, along with a recyclable TPU monomaterial seat. The IMAGIO® tool for digital, photorealistic material twins will also be on display. It is now implemented in Autodesk VRED and makes design processes faster and more efficient.

Electronics

In the electronics area, Covestro showcases innovative NIA-PFAS (not intentionally added PFAS) polycarbonates with flame retardancy for laptop covers and IoT device housings. Additionally, a recyclable antenna housing made of Makrolon® monomaterial will be on display, combining optimal signal transmission with weight reduction.

Healthcare

In the healthcare booth area, Covestro presents material solutions that combine sustainability with performance and reliability: From medication delivery with particularly thin-walled, more easily recyclable monomaterial injectors to resistant housings for diagnostic devices that withstand disinfectants. Such devices can furthermore be made with NIA-PFAS material types for flame retardancy, and support the seamless integration of functionality such as touch operation and signaling in an attractive design.

Sports and Leisure

In the sports and leisure area, visitors will find applications such as the e-surfboard by Awake. Covestro materials can be found, for example, in the easily and quickly replaceable battery, with thermally conductive and flame-retardant polycarbonate for improved battery performance. Durable TPU-based materials on the grip of the replaceable battery additionally provide pleasant haptics and comfort.

Press Tour for Media Representatives

Media representatives are cordially invited to experience Covestro's exhibition booth at K 2025 in person. A press tour will take place on the first day of the fair, October 8, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at booth A75 in Hall 6.

The tour offers a comprehensive overview of all focus areas as well as the opportunity for discussions with technical experts about "The Material Effect" and the implementation of the circular economy strategy in concrete applications. There will also be opportunities for individual interviews.

For more information about Covestro at K 2025, please visit Experience “The Material Effect” at K 2025 at Covestro | Covestro AG

The more than 20 innovation stories that Covestro presents at its booth are closely linked to this guiding idea and the company's long-term vision of becoming fully circular. This vision is gaining additional importance under the current circumstances – short-term challenges and overlapping crises that require resilience and adaptability.

Covestro’s CEO Markus Steilemann emphasized this at the traditional K pre-press conference: "The world seems to have gone off track, and the chemical industry is feeling the full force of the current multiple crises. At the same time, the future will be ever greener and smarter. At Covestro, we are paving the way for that for many sectors with our recyclable, climate-neutral high-performance plastics – whether in e-mobility and autonomous driving, efficient buildings, or digitalization. We are excited to showcase the diverse and beneficial effects of our materials for our customers and partners at this year's K trade fair."

Covestro's Guiding Idea: "The Material Effect"

At booth A75 in Hall 6, Covestro will place special emphasis on progress and innovations in the areas of Sustainable Future, Automotive, Electronics, Healthcare, and Sports & Leisure. Among the highlights at the booth will be a new concept vehicle for public transportation: The SUE "People Mover". The self-driving urban e-shuttle has been developed by UE | STUDIOS. It features full polycarbonate glazing, polycarbonate for lidar sensors, as well as the lightweight and highly durable mono-material Arfinio^® and TPU. Also among the exhibits is the digital sampling tool IMAGIO^®, which enables realistic digital visualization of product designs, thereby replacing physical samples with digital material twins in early development phases.

With these and many other stories and exhibits at the booth, Covestro demonstrates under this year's guiding idea "The Material Effect" what role high-performance materials play in a sustainable world. "The Material Effect" combines best in class materials with process and innovation expertise, enabling the leap from laboratory to industry. "It is precisely this unique combination of material science, process- and application development that makes the decisive difference," said Jochen Hardt, K 2025 project lead and Vice President Global Marketing Mobility in the Engineering Plastics business entity at Covestro, at the press conference. “'The Material Effect' enables our customers and partners to achieve more – in terms of sustainability, circularity, and performance of their products.”

Progress Towards Corporate Vision and Strategy

Covestro pursues a clear strategic vision: to become fully circular and make the circular economy a global guiding principle. This includes the use of alternative raw materials, switching to green energy, and developing advanced recycling technologies. The company has set a goal to become climate-neutral in its own operations (Scope 1 and 2) by 2035 and to achieve complete climate neutrality along the entire value chain (Scope 1-3) by 2050. To this end, Covestro has already signed eleven power purchase agreements (PPAs) and now covers around 16 percent of its global electricity needs from renewable sources.

Furthermore, Covestro is consistently expanding the use of alternative raw materials – with the goal of largely avoiding the use of fossil primary raw materials in the long term. The company is to that end currently developing and testing novel recycling technologies for polyurethanes, polycarbonates, and elastomers.

The commitment to the circular economy is furthermore reflected in the product portfolio: Products with the brand suffix "CQ" – which stands for Circular Intelligence – contain at least 25 percent alternative raw materials. For polycarbonates, Covestro differentiates its offering with specific labels: "RE" stands for products based on renewable raw materials and produced with renewable electricity.^* "RP" identifies products with chemically recycled post-consumer waste.^* "R" designates products with mechanically recycled material content.

Such products aFor more information about the trade fair presence, visit:

For more information about the trade fair presence, visit:
Experience “The Material Effect” at K 2025 at Covestro | Covestro AG

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Latest info on Covestro’s K fair presence:

• Experience “The Material Effect” at K 2025 at Covestro | Covestro AG

Additional Press Releases:

• Covestro deepens collaboration with Ausell to advance end-of
• More speed from design to series production
• From old tires to new car parts: Covestro, Neste and Boreali
• Covestro and Deloitte jointly develop Monetization Framework
• Life Cycle Assessments digitalized: boosting transparency

Covestro at a Glance:

Are you looking for more information? Here you could find further facts about Covestro.

"The new production facilities are equipped with state-of-the technology to enable an efficient production and thereby reduce our CO₂ emissions," says Thorsten Dreier, Chief Technology Officer of Covestro. “With the expanded capacity, we can meet our customers' growing demand for innovative specialty films, especially in medical technology, in the region Asia-Pacific and strengthen our Solutions & Specialties segment."

Covestro has been operating a production facility for Specialty Films in Thailand since 2007. The range comprises polycarbonate films from the Makrofol^® range and Bayfol^® products made from polycarbonate blends. These high-performance specialty films are used in many applications across multiple industries, such as healthcare, mobility and Identification Documents.

“The new production facilities are important to us because it enables faster time to market and at the same time expands our market access in Asia-Pacific.” says Aukje Doornbos, Global Head of the Specialty Films business entity. “With market-focused innovations and a stronger customer orientation we want to drive growth for Covestro.”

Since 2022, the Map Ta Phut site is ISCC PLUS certified, enabling it to manufacture and supply mass-balanced products. With the mass balance approach, bio-based or recycled raw materials are fed in at an early stage of raw material extraction and mathematically allocated to the finished products. This saves fossil raw materials and reduces CO₂ emissions, while the quality of the mass-balanced products remains identical to that of purely fossil-based products. With this drop-in solution, manufacturers can continue to use their proven formulations, equipment, and processes.

ISCC is an internationally recognized sustainability certification for biomass and bioenergy. The standard covers all stages of the value chain and is used worldwide. Customers can use these products in their established processes and apply them to meet their sustainability goals. In addition, Covestro already offers a range of films made partly with plant-based raw materials or partly from recycled plastics.

In response to the growing demand for sustainable solutions in currency printing, Covestro is introducing Autentium^®, an innovative polymeric printing substrate. Designed exclusively for currency printing applications like banknotes, Autentium^® combines cutting-edge anti-counterfeiting technology with a recyclable mono-material design.

"The launch of Autentium^® represents a significant breakthrough in currency printing, offering an innovative, recyclable polymeric substrate that excels in printability, durability and is more sustainable," says Daniel Hentschel, Global Segment Manager for ID & Security Printing at Covestro.

Key Features of Autentium^® include:

• Exceptional printability: It supports secure printing techniques such as intaglio and offset, enabling embossed structures and therefore tactile security features that differ from traditional paper and existing polymer substrates.
• No coatings or primers needed: Its secondary properties as a hot-melt adhesive contribute to superior ink adhesion without requiring additional primers or coatings, streamlining the printing process and improving durability.
• Water & Stain Resistance: The polymer absorbs only minimal moisture, which contributes to a low static charge, while at the same time being resistant to contamination.
• Advanced laser engraveability: It allows precise micro-engravings, providing advanced anti-counterfeiting measures and enhancing currency security.
   

As a single-polymer solution, Autentium^® is recyclable, addressing the demand for sustainable materials in banknote production. Its high tear propagation resistance and excellent ink adhesion contribute to extend the lifespan of printed currency and can help reducing the environmental impact and conserving resources.

Furthermore, its durable composition can translate into long-term costs savings by minimizing replacements, making it an ideal choice for governments and the public sector that prioritize security and environmental responsibility.

Meet Covestro at Intergraf Currency + Identity 2025 

Covestro will showcase Autentium^® and other advanced polymeric solutions at the Intergraf Currency + Identity 2025 trade show. Join us from March 5-7, 2025, at the Allianz MiCo, Milano, Italy. Visit us at booth 16 to discover how Autentium^® can redefine your security printing requirements and drive innovation in currency production.

These new displays overcome the performance, size and geometric limitations of traditional HUD systems, enabling the practical and scalable implementation of multiple displays in one windshield and elsewhere in side-light glazing. Proof of concepts (PoCs) developed with OEMs will be showcased at CES 2025 in Las Vegas from January 7–10.

The MOU builds on years of collaboration, leveraging each company’s technologies to manufacture holographic-enabled transparent HUDs for the automotive market. It enables to look into the steps needed to setup and establish the required facilities and manufacturing capacity, ensuring an efficient, market-ready supply chain to meet the planned production timelines of OEMs wishing to adopt the technology for new driver and passenger experiences. The partnership aims to accelerate the commercialization of the HUD solution, with Eastman leveraging its relationships with automotive OEMs and Tier One suppliers.

A proven solution

In 2024, Ceres and Eastman demonstrated the latest holographic transparent display HUDs to OEMs in Europe, the USA, and China. These HUDs featured multiple transparent displays within a single, fully laminated windshield, each measuring up to 400mm by 300mm. Custom-designed holographic optical elements (HOEs) were incorporated into a single sheet of Bayfol HX^® film, laminated with Eastman’s new developed interlayer stack, achieving the industry's largest field of view.

This achievement was enabled by combining Covestro’s expertise in photopolymer films, Ceres’ digital mastering and HoloFlekt^® roll-to-roll replication system, which produces finished films up to 1400mm wide, and Eastman’s solutions to encapsulate functional films into automotive approved laminates.

“This agreement solidifies our collaboration and moves us closer to delivering a full-stack solution for innovative display implementations,” said Hemant Dandekar, Eastman's global commercial director of automotive for advanced materials, interlayers. “With the building blocks and relationships in place, we’re excited to define a path to viable holographic transparent displays globally.”

“Our Bayfol^® HX enables next-generation truly transparent projection displays for windshields while meeting the high automotive safety requirements.” said Günther Walze, Head of Holographic Lightguiding at Covestro. “With the necessary establishment of hologram mastering and scalable mass-production replication equipment by Ceres, combined with Eastman’s windshield lamination technology, this innovation is ready for deployment to end customers.”

“We have been working closely with global OEMs for years and are now at a tipping point for adoption and scaling of this display technology,” said Andy Travers, CEO of Ceres Holographics. “This is being driven by a combination of a desire for more safety-oriented and intuitive information display features, pressure from safety regulators to reduce driver distractions, and the accelerated pace of innovation and associated need for differentiation among a new generation of car makers.”

This agreement joins the material expertise of Covestro, Eastman’s interlayer solutions and encapsulation know-how, as well as Ceres capabilities in mastering and high-volume manufacturing technology for the successful commercialization and industrialization of holography in transparent displays for windshields.

A fully functional transparent display windshield demonstrator laminate will be showcased at CES 2025 in both the Eastman/Ceres Holographics demonstration suite at The Venetian Hotel - Murano suite, #3201A, and Covestro’s booth in the North Hall, location #8311.

Covestro’s CERTEVO^® revolutionizes security printing with several key features: It supports excellent printability via intaglio and offset processes, enabling embossing structures—surpassing traditional paper and enhancing security elements. Its hotmelt nature eliminates the need for coatings and primers, ensuring superior ink adhesion that simplifies printing and boosts durability. Additionally, advanced laser engravability allows precise micro-engravings, making counterfeiting efforts more challenging.

As a single-polymer composition, CERTEVO^® is recyclable, meeting the demand for sustainable security printing materials. Its high tear resistance and ink adhesion extend the lifecycle of printed items while conserving resources. CERTEVO® thereby addresses environmental concerns and meets evolving sustainability requirements in document production.

Furthermore, its durable composition lowers long-term costs by minimizing replacements, making it an ideal choice for governments and the public sector that prioritize security and environmental responsibility. 

Meet Covestro at TRUSTECH 2024

Covestro’s team will be present at the TRUSTECH trade show, held at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles - Pavilion 5.2, from December 3-5, 2024. We invite industry professionals and stakeholders to discuss with us at meeting room 8 and discover how CERTEVO^® and other advanced polymer materials can transform their security printing needs.

“Healthcare manufacturers are increasingly adopting sustainable materials to reduce their carbon footprint, and it is our goal to help customers reach their sustainability ambitions,” said Sam Shodi, Head of Specialty Films North America, Covestro.

According to Shodi, the Makrofol^® polycarbonate film provides the transparency, toughness and sterilization suitability needed for many medical applications an example of which is medical implant packaging. “This advancement meets the demands of our healthcare customers, where sustainable materials are crucial for reducing environmental impact while maintaining high quality and safety standards,” he concluded.

With the mass balance approach, bio-based or recycled raw materials are fed in at an early stage of raw material extraction and mathematically allocated to the finished products. This saves fossil raw materials and reduces CO₂ emissions, while the quality of the mass-balanced products remains identical to that of purely fossil-based products. With this drop-in solution, manufacturers can continue to use their proven formulations, equipment and processes.

ISCC is an internationally recognized sustainability certification for biomass and bioenergy. The standard covers all stages of the value chain and is used worldwide. Covestro has major sites across all regions that are ISCC PLUS certified. Among them are world-scale sites like Baytown, Texas; Leverkusen, Dormagen and Krefeld-Uerdingen, Germany; Shanghai, China; Map Ta Phut, Thailand; and Antwerp, Belgium.

Customers can discover more about Covestro’s mass balance films and other premium material solutions, including how they support sustainability goals and drive advancements in medical devices, at the upcoming MEDICA 2024 and COMPAMED 2024 trade fairs, November 11-14 in Düsseldorf, Germany.

The Blue Shield Market Development Award, granted by the CIAPST (China International Association for Promotion of Science and Technology) Security Identification Union and the organizing committee of SDS, marks a significant achievement. SDS is recognized as the most important annual ID conference in China.

More secure, sophisticated ID documents with PC and TPU films

At this year’s SDS held from May 28-29 in Beijing, Covestro is showcasing its all-in-one passport and ID card solutions, leveraging the company’s latest Makrofol^® ID polycarbonate (PC) and Platilon^® ID thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) films.

These innovations include a passport cover solution employing TPU films, offering scratch and tear resistance, unique surface relief effects and color matching tailored to specific passport program requirements.

Furthermore, Covestro presents solutions for passport data pages and ID cards, such as sophisticated clear window designs enabled by thin, highly opaque white PC films; color-switching PC films for clear windows and transparent areas in ID documents; high-contrast laser-engravable PC films with level 3 forensic security features post-personalization; and PC films facilitating brighter holograms in PC ID documents.

Additionally, Covestro introduces a flexible and durable TPU hinge with tear propagation resistance to attach the PC data page to the passport cover.

To explore more about how Covestro’s film solutions can accommodate tomorrow’s needs today, visit the Covestro Specialty Films ID landing page at https://solutions.covestro.com/en/highlights/articles/theme/applications/id-and-security-documents

"Covestro understands the value chain and is not only a film producer but also an innovator and integrator," says Karine Benbelaid, Global Head of Medical Segment, Specialty Films, Covestro. "The company has a long, successful track record driving industrial collaboration with converters, printers, OEMs, research labs and designers. We’re highlighting a few of these collaborations at LOPEC 2024."

Covestro is participating at LOPEC, the International Exhibition and Conference for Printed Electronics, in Munich, Germany from March 5-7 at Hall 0, Booth 612 (B0.612). The company will showcase a diverse range of polycarbonate (PC) films and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) films for printed electronics manufacturing in healthcare and HMI (human-machine interface) applications in automotive and electronics design.

Smart patches and other healthcare applications

In the healthcare sector, smart medical skin patches help improve patient comfort and allow for enhanced remote monitoring, such as Electromyogram (EMG). While electronic patches are already used in many areas, such as patient monitoring, there is a growing need for digitization. With this in mind, Covestro will display a smart patch for early detection of ostomy bag leaks, developed with Witte Technology GmbH and Lohmann GmbH & Co. KG.

People with artificial intestinal outlet (stoma) use ostomy bags, which collect the gut and bowel liquid. These bags can sometimes leak, which can be associated with discomfort for the patient. For that reason, early detection is crucial to patient comfort. Using a sensor array printed on a medical grade Platilon^® TPU film, the smart patch on display can detect any leakage between the artificial intestinal outlet and the ostomy bag. The patch is designed for retrofitting an ostomy bag and can be integrated into existing ostomy bag solutions.

"The excellent collaboration among Witte Technology, Lohmann, and Covestro has yielded a groundbreaking solution: a smart patch for early ostomy bag leakage detection," says Dr. Volker Lutz, Head of New Business Development, Lohmann GmbH & Co. KG. "With its innovative sensor array on medical-grade Platilon^® TPU film, this smart patch promises enhanced comfort and peace of mind for ostomy patients around the world."

The following applications are also on display:

• Smart EMG wearable patches for biosignal acquisition made with Platilon^® 5302 MR7X, courtesy of Nile AB (Linxens Healthcare)
• Platilon^® TPU films with excellent printability for silver-based inks, which ensure high conductivity

HMI for automotive and electronics applications

LOPEC attendees will also see HMI applications for automotive and electronics designs enabled by in-mold electronics (IME). The feasibility of these technologies for mass production will be demonstrated using examples of the design of intelligent surfaces and innovative lighting.

The ´smart surface´ demo, jointly developed by Covestro and TactoTek^®, will demonstrate the use of Makrolon^® polycarbonate resin and Makrofol^® PC film technology to bring electronics into thin, durable and seamless 3D plastic surfaces by Film Insert Molding (FIM) technology.

An innovative lighting project for surfaces called ‘Jenny’ will also be on display. Jenny was developed by TactoTek^® and Novem using Covestro materials and consists of real wood laminate and areas of triangular PC overmolds and wood. This structure provides seamless, even lighting in a high-quality design.

"We are thrilled to reveal ‘Jenny’, our extraordinary lighting concept. The A-Surface can be customized for an ultra-premium feel and finish", says Paavo Niskala, SVP IMSE Technology, TactoTek^®. "By integrating Makrofol^® and Makrolon^® layers, along with different surfaces, we have achieved an unparalleled fusion of innovation and elegance."

At LOPEC 2024, Covestro will display a LiDAR cover lens, engineered with Canatu, featuring Makrolon^® AG polycarbonate resin and Makrofol^® PC film with an integrated heater. This collaboration enhances Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems for modern vehicles, ensuring reliability in harsh weather by combining Covestro's thermoplastics expertise with Canatu's carbon nanotube (CNT) transparent film heater.

Hear from a Covestro expert

At LOPEC 2024 Congress, Covestro expert Karine Benbelaid will give a lecture on March 5, room 13b at 9:05 a.m. CET, entitled, “Turning Medical Devices Smart and Circular".

Covestro offers an extensive portfolio of specialty films that help create excellent, secure ID documents. This includes ID cards and driver's licenses made from Makrofol® ID polycarbonate (PC) films, as well as passports made using Platilon® thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film materials. Through advanced PC and TPU films, the company develops security feature integration solutions that not only make ID documents highly counterfeit-resistant, but also easy to authenticate. 

New horizons in passport booklet security

The industry agrees: Identity documents made of monolithic polymer laminates such as polycarbonate offer increased security against counterfeiting. The foundation for the higher security is multiple features, embedded in various layers of polymer films that are laminated under the influence of heat and pressure in such a way that separation of the layers is impossible without irreparable damage to the document. "We are advancing the concept of multi-layered and laminated security features, from Makrofol® polycarbonate data pages to passport covers that use embossed and embedded features to help increase the security level," says Daniel Hentschel, Global Segment Manager Identification. 

As part of its program at Trustech 2023, Covestro is therefore proud to present its new concepts for passport booklets, where Platilon® TPU films play a central role by offering passport color, design flexibility and high anti-counterfeiting properties. These Platilon® TPU films from Covestro are suitable to produce flexible, wear-resistant passport covers that provide protection for embedded chips and antennas. These novel passport covers can be customized with different surface textures and colors. 

The presentation of adjacent material solutions around identification documents from Covestro to create security features, hinge connections, as well as passport end page solutions underscores its commitment to the fight against counterfeiting. The result is an integrative ID material concept that is not only safe and durable, but also aesthetically impressive. 

Meet us at Trustech 2023 

Discover more into cutting-edge and sustainable film material solutions for ID documents by Covestro, we cordially invite you to visit our booth at C067 in Pavilion 5.2. Our experts will be available to provide insights and answers to your questions. 

Additionally, Georgios Tziovaras, Global Business Development Manager Identification Documents & Security Printing, will give a talk on ‘Security features in laminated passport book covers’: a presentation on the Innovation Stage on November 28 at 14:30 p.m. CET. 

This site of Epurex Films, a wholly owned subsidiary of Covestro, houses research & development, application development and production for the semi-finished products. The company has invested a low double-digit million Euro amount in the expansion of the center of excellence for TPU-Films.

The new capacity is intended to meet the growing global demand for multilayer TPU films. They are used in automotive interiors and construction, among other applications. Breathable, water-impermeable specialty films have also proven their worth in wound care and outdoor clothing.

"With this capacity expansion, we are strengthening our Bomlitz site and our position as a leading supplier of technical specialty films," said Dr. Thorsten Dreier, Covestro's Chief Technology Officer, at the inauguration. "At the same time, we are investing in promising technologies and applications and creating new jobs."

For Aleta Richards, global head of the Specialty Films business entity, the expansion offers opportunities to respond even better to individual customer needs and offer more sustainable products. "For some time now, we have also been developing customer-specific solutions with films made from alternative raw materials, as we are also seeing increasing demand in this area. The development and production of partially biobased products is therefore to become a new focus at the Bomlitz site."

Covestro is fully geared toward the circular economy and aims to become climate-neutral by 2035. In 2022 the Bomlitz site has switched its power supply completely to green electricity. Epurex Films is one of Covestro's three competence centers for specialty films in Germany, along with Leverkusen and Dormagen.

"With this investment, we are strengthening our Solutions & Specialties segment and are committed to further expanding our growth businesses," says Sucheta Govil, Chief Commercial Officer of Covestro. "At the same time, we are responding to an increasing demand and supporting the expansion of future technologies and industries."

"We want to drive growth in the polycarbonate films business with innovation and a strong customer focus," says Aleta Richards, Global Head of the Specialty Films segment. “In doing so, we aim to intensify our collaboration with customers in the Asia-Pacific region and expand our product portfolio for the circular economy.”

Expanded range of films made from alternative raw materials

Covestro already offers a whole range of more sustainable PC films, for example mass-balanced grades certified to the internationally recognized ISCC PLUS standard. Raw materials for these films are produced using biowaste and residual materials, which are taken into account in the value chain and in production and attributed to the products.

Since 2022, the Map Ta Phut site has also been ISCC PLUS certified, enabling it to manufacture and supply mass-balanced products. Customers can use these products in their established processes and apply them to meet their sustainability goals. In addition, Covestro already offers a range of films made partly with plant-based raw materials or recycled plastics.

Covestro will showcase a comprehensive range of specialty films for printed electronics at LOPEC 2023 in Munich, Germany, from February 28 to March 2. Attendees can find Covestro in Hall B0 Booth 418 (B0.418).

"We’re excited to participate for the first time in LOPEC, which is considered one of the world’s leading gathering places for exchanging ideas and introducing technologies related to printed electronics," said Karine Benbelaid, Global Segment Lead, Medical, Specialty Films business, Covestro. "We look forward to demonstrating our technical expertise and ability to drive industrial collaboration as we highlight our PC, TPU and specialty elastomer films that are tailored specifically for automotive, electronics, healthcare and consumer applications."

New TPU films and applications for smart skin patches

Covestro will debut its new Platilon^® TPU grades for smart skin patch applications at LOPEC 2023. Not only can the new ranges of TPU films be printed with standard inks, but they also show good printability with silver-based inks. Printability with silver-based inks is important as it ensures good conductivity and allows sensor technology to be integrated more reliably. Additionally, the new TPU film grades can be equipped with a stiffer polypropylene carrier, which provides stability throughout the conversion process, especially during curing.

One of the new Platilon^® TPU grades is specifically suited for humid environments, often required for 24/7 worn medical patches. This range of substrates in medical quality is also available in a partially bio-based version. Another new Platilon^® TPU range features high mechanical strengths, opening up applications in a variety of devices. Nile AB (powered by Linxens Healthcare) selected this new material to produce wearable sensor patches.

"The future of printed wearables belongs to pioneering patches aimed at better patient comfort and enhanced accuracy," said Peter Nilson, CEO at Nile AB. "We chose to work with the new TPU substrate from Covestro because it has been perfectly adapted for our unique converting process and printing of silver-based flexible circuits."

Booth visitors can also check out smart skin patches made jointly with accensors, featuring two products: a Disposable patch, which houses sensors and is designed to be used once; and a ReUse patch, which houses the electronics and can be used repeatedly.

Smart material solutions for automotive and electronics

Covestro will also highlight key Human Machine Interface (HMI) applications for automotive and electrics designs enabled by in-mold electronics (IME), including:

• A future-forward integrated automotive frontend concept for creating premium- and base-model designs
• Smart 3D plastic surfaces featuring injection molded structural electronics (IMSE^®) technology from TactoTek^® combined with Makrofol^® PC film and Makrolon^® PC resin
  • A fully functioning, sleek automotive overhead control panel demonstrator
  • A smart surface controller device that meets tomorrow’s design, sustainability and technology requirements

Hear from Covestro experts

Covestro will share its technical expertise through presentations given by Covestro subject matter experts:

• Mikko Silvennoinen, global account representative, Specialty Films business, will give an oral presentation on TPU films for use in smart medical skin patches on Tuesday, February 28, in ICM Room 13b at 12:50 CET.
• Dirk Pophusen, global segment manager, Specialty Films business, will give an oral presentation on in-mold electronics film technology enabling future HMI solutions in automotive and electronics design on Thursday, March 2, in ICM Room 13a at 14:00 CET.

Covestro will showcase its comprehensive specialty films portfolio for producing highly secure ID documents, such as passports and e-ID cards, at Trustech 2022, in Paris, France from November 29 to December 1. The company’s polycarbonate (PC) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film solutions enable integrated security features, making ID documents highly difficult to replicate yet easy to authenticate.

Polycarbonate film addressing circular economy

Covestro is on a journey to become fully circular in the future. "We continue to innovate throughout different segments and applications, including ID documents, to increase circularity and realize our vision of becoming a fully circular company," shares Dr. Aleta Richards, Head of the Specialty Films segment at Covestro. At Trustech 2022, Covestro will debut a partly mechanically recycled white PC film¹ that helps contribute to circular economy in the ID market segment. Makrofol^® ID357 white PC film offers properties, quality and performance similar to the company’s renowned Makrofol^® ID white PC film. ID document manufacturers can easily combine this new offering with Makrofol^® ID clear and clear laser engravable films.

Linxens, a leading provider of secure component-based solutions for security and identification, will utilize Makrofol^® ID357 in its newest document inlay solution. "Our collaboration with Covestro is a win-win situation: Covestro has the first commercial application for its new film with partly recycled PC content and we have the material needed for our latest ID PC inlay solution," adds Vincent Gourmelen, Government Marketing Director at Linxens.

”As counterfeiters become more sophisticated, the ID segment must be dynamic and constantly evolving,” explains Henry Leung, Global Segment Manager, Identification, Specialty Films at Covestro. "We are always pushing the boundaries of film material solutions in supporting the industry, partners and customers. Our collaboration with Linxens is an excellent example of how working together, we’re able to help our customers take a more sustainable approach to bring their innovative solutions to the market.”

Integrated passport solution leveraging specialty films

Durable and secure travel documents are necessary for government issuing authorities, document manufacturers, travelers and border control agencies. Covestro offers an innovative passport solution leveraging PC and TPU films with high design flexibility including the booklet cover, hinge and data page.

Covestro offers a TPU film solution to enable flexible scratch and tear resistant passport covers. For passport e-Covers, TPU films can also help better cushion and protect the embedded chips and antennas. These next-generation passport covers can be equipped with various security features and customized with different surface textures and colors. TPU films are also utilized in the passport hinge application, creating a flexible, strong passport hinge that bonds well with polycarbonate data page films.

For the ID document data page, Covestro continues to drive innovation with PC films that can enable multiple security features after lamination and laser personalization. Covestro will also showcase a clear polycarbonate film that can help minimize background UV fluorescence in polycarbonate documents. The film can enable a level 2 security feature for laser-engraved raised tactile characters.

Trustech 2022 attendees can visit the Covestro booth G025 in Pavilion 5.2 to learn more about the company’s material solutions and meet with our technical experts for ID documents. Additionally, Georgios Tziovaras, Global Business Development Manager Identification in the Specialty Films business, will give two talks on pushing boundaries in ID document innovations: a presentation in Room 1 on November 29 at 11:20 a.m. CET and on the Innovation Stage on November 30 at 11 a.m. CET.

¹ Partly mechanically recycled white PC film contains 30% PC based recycled content

Covestro is presenting the advanced solutions for automotive interiors unveiled at the K 2022 plastics trade show to the advanced solutions for automotive interiors now at this year's Automotive Interiors Expo in Stuttgart, Germany, November 8-10, 2022. At booth 3312 in Hall 3, the company will showcase a range of smart and sustainable material solutions that keep pace with the latest trends in automotive interior design.

Shaping the driving experience with new technologies

Makrolon^® Ai polycarbonate offers a special edge-lit composite color that can range from transparent to translucent, providing various options for ambient and dynamic automotive interior lighting. The combination of this material with the lightweight composite Maezio^®, which offers tremendous design freedom and is made partly from post-industrial recycled materials, allows occupants to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Functional integration through back-injection of polycarbonate

Covestro has developed the first material that is shrinkage-free and highly dimensionally stable, transparent and heat-resistant: Makroblend^® OM 845G, a polycarbonate blend with 20 percent glass fibers. This material can be back-injected and back-lit to create textured and 3D shapes.

Soft-touch coatings create surprising textures

Covestro offers a versatile range of hard to flexible aqueous 2-component (2K) polyurethane dispersions that allow a high degree of design freedom (from soft to hard). By combining this 2K polyurethane technology with edge-lit and high-tech Makrolon® Ai materials, it is possible to create a wide range of innovative textures.

Innovative coatings and adhesives for instrument panels and door 
trims

Together with designer Miika Heikkinen, Covestro's Coatings & Adhesives and Engineering Plastics segments have developed a door panel concept with new material solutions. The prototype contains a waterborne coating with innovative INSQIN^® technology in combination with an adhesive based on a Dispercoll^® U dispersion – two waterborne polyurethane (PU) solutions with low levels of volatile organic components (VOCs). Specially developed to provide cost-effective and sustainable applications for future automotive interior requirements, they provide translucent appearance, coating adhesion and deep color effects in door panels. As a vegan solution, the lower CO₂ emissions and reduced energy consumption of INSQIN^® can reduce the overall CO₂ footprint of plastics by up to 45 percent while providing virtually odor-free indoor air quality. The carbon footprint can be further improved by using an Impranil^® CQ DLU PU dispersion, which consists of approximately 35 percent renewable carbon by weight. In addition, the application also includes a partially biobased water-based soft-touch coating with up to 33 percent renewable carbon in the final formulation.

Lighting and heating integrated into the sunroof

Panoramic sunroofs and moonroofs are very popular in modern vehicles. Covestro, in collaboration with Loomia, has developed a roll-up sunroof shade concept that combines the sun-reflecting properties of Platilon^® TPU film during daylight hours with integrated fabric circuits for lighting and heating at night and in cold weather. To help passengers get the most out of the interior, we bonded the textile surface and electronics layer using our thin and flexible Platilon^® polyurethane film. It is tough enough to withstand repeated rolling without compromising performance.

Makrolon^® and Makrofol^® films for smart surfaces

Covestro and TactoTek^® have teamed up again to showcase the endless, more sustainable design possibilities of IMSE^® technology: Together, they developed demonstrators that showcase functional electronics while integrating control surfaces, computers and displays. The final design consists of a Raspberry Pi computer, an OLED display, all necessary circuitry and electronic components, and inks for coloring and decorating – all embedded in a Makrolon^® resin between two layers of Makrofol^® film. With this, we are showcasing powerful new material solutions for consumer electronics with a mono-material design where the plastic can be recovered at will and converted into new raw materials.

"Plastics are a must to drive the shared global vision of the circular economy and achieve climate neutrality. At K 2022, we want to highlight the huge potential of these advanced materials to solve global challenges and showcase promising developments," says CEO Dr. Markus Steilemann. "The show will also play an important role in bringing together partners in the value chains and from other sectors. The task now is to move forward together with rapid, major steps toward implementation."

Sucheta Govil, Chief Commercial Officer, adds: "We have set ourselves ambitious targets and want to become carbon neutral by 2035 for CO₂ emissions from our operations and renewable energy supply, so that our customers can achieve their climate and sustainability goals. To achieve this, we are relying on close cooperations with them and many other partners," says Govil. "At the show, we will be showcasing innovative products and solutions from the fields of alternative raw materials, innovative recycling and renewable energies that pave the way to full circularity at Covestro."

Covestro will use K 2022 from October 19-26 for a multimedia appearance to network: At the booth, an exciting program of talks will be streamed live throughout in the "Talk Arena" with prominent guests. The Backstage area is a multifunctional space for hybrid events and interactive formats. An extensive digital platform – called "Space" – provides a lot of background information about the developments shown. Innovators and their developments for the circular economy are presented as part of the video series "Meet The Innovators".

Crafting Circular Economy

In this important area, Covestro shows how it is driving the transformation to a circular economy and aims to achieve climate neutrality in its own production and in its supply of renewable energy. With the introduction of the "CQ" label for products based on alternative raw materials, Covestro aims to create greater transparency and make it easier for customers to distinguish them from conventional, fossil-based products.

Another focus is on innovative recycling technologies. The "Recycling Technology Wheel" provides information on current developments. Chemolysis in particular holds great potential for the quantitative recovery of raw materials. Covestro is now introducing the name "Evocycle^® CQ" for all evolutionary recycling processes as an extension.

Crafting Electrification

The shift from fossil to renewable energy sources is also linked to electrification of the important sectors of transport and buildings: The mobile and stationary future is electric. Plastics from Covestro will play an important role in all of these in the future – from power generation and storage to use in vehicles and at home.

Renewable energy also plays a role in a special exhibit: The "Photon," a prototype solar race car, is on display in the outdoor area of Hall 7A. This "Sonnenwagen" was designed and built by a dedicated team of students from Aachen, Germany, who have set themselves the task of developing and racing high-tech vehicles for a particularly sustainable form of mobility. Covestro is the main sponsor of the project.

Crafting Smart Designs

This exhibition area is dedicated to the possibilities of digitalization and open innovation approaches to work in a more connected and sustainable way along the entire value chain.

At K 2022, Covestro will present, among other things, new charging stations and wall charging stations (wallboxes) for future mobility, including the first wallbox produced by partner EVBox using more sustainable polycarbonates. These plastics from the Makrolon^® RE range are produced proportionately from biowaste and residual materials, in part using renewable electricity, and therefore have a very low carbon footprint.

Crafting Sustainable Living

How can urban spaces be made more sustainable without compromising on consumer preferences? Covestro provides answers to this question in this exhibition area. The aims of the developments presented are greater comfort and design freedom, enhanced functionality, more sustainable and circular solutions, and energy-efficient living.

Covestro and Arcesso Dynamics, a custom polyurethane parts manufacturer, will introduce Arfinio^® at K 2022, a breakthrough manufacturing solution for furniture, bathroom fixtures, electronic parts, housings and other applications based on reaction injection molding (RIM) of aliphatic polyurethanes.

All journalists are cordially invited to visit Covestro's booth A 75 in Hall 6. There you will have the opportunity to talk about the innovations and topics on display, and you can obtain the Covestro press kit for K 2022. If you wish, we will also be happy to give you a tour of the booth or arrange interviews.

Ultrathin PC films are used, among other things, in the electronics industry: for the electrical insulation of capacitors or for the manufacture of flexible printed circuit boards. Until now, they could only be produced using the rather complex solvent cast film technology. With Makrofol^® TF, now there is an alternative with an ultrathin thermoplastic extrusion film.

But that's not all: The industry can also use the new film to produce very thin membranes, for example as sound transducers for loudspeakers. In particular, so-called track-etched membranes can be produced, which have pores with an application-specific, precisely defined size and density. To do this, the manufacturers of such membranes first irradiate films with heavy ions to create tracks. In a second step, chemical etching creates the pores. Track-etched membranes have multiple applications in biology and diagnostics. They serve, for example, as filters in laboratory analysis or as cell culture substrates. The electrical and automotive industries also use track-etched membranes, for example, in systems for venting headlights, car batteries, or electronics housings.

Makrofol^® TF is a suitable material for the production of track-etched membranes: the transparent films are very homogeneous, inert with a uniform surface and isotropic mechanical properties. Other advantages of the PC material include its excellent resistance to heat, durability over a wide temperature range, and high optical clarity.  

Bayfol^® HX consists of a transparent film as a substrate and a photoreactive layer that is optimized for the specific customer requirements. Bayfol^® HX gives designers the greatest possible design freedom. For example, it is flexible enough to be bent – as in the Sony application – so that it can completely enclose a cylinder. It has tailor-made optical properties to produce high-quality holographic images. Both the very high transparency of the photopolymer film and the image brightness it enables were key factors in Sony's decision to use Bayfol^® HX for its development project.

"We spent a long time looking for the right material to realize our idea," said Sony's Yutaka Imai. The R&D General manager continues, "The project showed that Bayfol^® HX has excellent performance for AR applications."  It is imaginable that the prototype display technology will be used, for example, in museum showrooms and corporate presentation rooms – or in the home, for example, to accompany music with 360-degree videos.

"We are pleased that digital image information can now be presented floating in space rather than just presented in a frame, as it were, thanks to Bayfol^® HX and Sony's innovative screen concept. In addition to automotive head-up displays (HUD) and head-mounted displays (HMD), this is another extremely promising AR application for our holographic films," says Yuen-Ling Lok, Head of Commercial Operations Holographic Lightguiding at Covestro. 

In 2019, several TPU film grades under the Platilon^® brand, manufactured in Europe, received OEKO-TEX^® Standard 100 certification. This offering is now being extended to several products under the Dureflex^® brand, manufactured in South Deerfield, Massachusetts, USA.

The films received certification for product class I. This applies to articles with direct skin contact for infants and young children up to three years of age. It is therefore associated with the highest requirements for the skin compatibility of the products.

Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX^® is a globally uniform, independent testing and certification system for textile raw, intermediate and end products at all stages of processing. The test criteria and limit values often go far beyond national and international specifications. Therefore, the certification stands for highly effective product safety.

Wearable patch sensors (smart patches) are rising in popularity, as they offer a wide range of options for medical diagnosis. Current trends include enhanced convenience, even more functions, and ongoing miniaturization. What's more, the public is demanding more sustainable solutions and a move away from disposable products. Together with its partner accensors, Covestro has developed a smart patch consisting of two elements: The disposable patch, which contains the sensors, and the ReUse patch, which contains the electronics. This makes it possible to reuse the valuable electronic parts.

Efficient production of wound dressings

The production of wound dressings and plasters, as well as medical wearables, involves a multi-stage process. The combination of a polypropylene (PP) backing with blown films from the Platilon^® range made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), in particular, is now proving to be well suited to satisfying today's high demands for process efficiency and ease of use in wound care. In comparison to the production of paper backings, the generation of dust in the production process is significantly reduced.

Breathable wound dressings to prevent bedsores

In the case of prolonged disease progression, it is important to prevent bedsores (pressure ulcers). Covestro has developed a concept for a prevention dressing that addresses the three most important factors for bedsores: Pressure, friction and shear. A highly breathable prototype is made exclusively from Covestro polyurethane materials.

The key features of this prototype wound care dressing made from Baymedix^® and Platilon^® materials are:

• Optimized friction, shear and pressure management
• Excellent moisture management to support a healthy microclimate
• Application- and skin-friendly polyurethane adhesive
• Efficient and sustainable manufacturing technology

Extra matte films for increased wear comfort

The PP backings can also be combined with multilayer Platilon^® TPU films, for example, to achieve individual properties such as a specific surface finish. TPU blown films offer a wide range of surface qualities from silky to extra matte. In particular, Platilon^®XM films offer an extra matte, skin-like surface and a soft feel that offers increased comfort for patients. Medical products made with the low-friction Platilon^® XM films adhere to the skin longer because friction against textiles is minimized. This, in turn, prevents premature changes of dressings and plasters. Owing to its soft surface feel, the film feels like a second skin. It is used in wound dressings, plasters and other medical products that require high breathability.

The new capacity is intended to meet the growing global demand for multilayer TPU Films. They are used in automotive interiors and construction, among other applications. Breathable, water-impermeable specialty films have also proven their worth in wound care and outdoor clothing. The new facilities are scheduled for completion as early as the end of 2023.

"With this capacity expansion, we are strengthening our Bomlitz site and our position as a leading supplier of technical specialty films," said Dr. Klaus Schäfer, Chief Technology Officer of Covestro, at the groundbreaking ceremony. "At the same time, we are investing in promising technologies and applications and creating new jobs."

For Aleta Richards, global head of the Specialty Films segment, the expansion offers opportunities to respond even better to individual customer needs and offer more sustainable products. "For some time now, we have also been developing customer-specific solutions with films made from alternative raw materials, as we are also seeing increasing demand in this area. The development and production of partially bio-based products is therefore to become a new focus at the Bomlitz site."

Covestro is fully geared toward the circular economy and aims to become climate-neutral by 2035. To this end, the Bomlitz site plans to switch its energy supply completely to green electricity starting this year.

Epurex Films is one of three Covestro competence centers for specialty films in Germany. The other two centers in Leverkusen and Dormagen are focused on research, production and application of polycarbonate films.

At MD&M West Conference and Exposition, April 12-14, 2022 in Anaheim, California, Covestro will showcase its materials for healthcare applications in booth #2221, including Makrolon^® RE for Healthcare. Makrolon^® RE polycarbonate grades have a low carbon footprint thanks to the use of renewable electricity for their manufacture, as well as raw materials produced from mass-balanced bio-waste and residues.

This new offering further expands the company’s portfolio of proven materials for diverse healthcare uses:

• Polycarbonate resins and blends: Covestro’s broad portfolio including Makrolon^® and Makroblend^® deliver strength and durability for drug delivery devices, dental applications, advanced injection devices, medical device housings, and more – to withstand everyday use and chemical interaction.
• Polyurethane raw materials and adhesives: Baymedix^® polyurethane adhesive and foam components provide excellent breathability and low trauma removal to wound care products, in addition to excellent absorption. In wearables applications, skin-friendly adhesive systems and thermoformable foams for electronic embedding are also available.
• Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) films and resins: Platilon^® TPU films offer breathable applications for wound dressing and prevention, as well as wearable patches. Texin® Rx TPU resins provide flexibility and strength for applications such as medical tubing and dental applications, all while remaining resistant to cleaning agents and bacteria.

Several applications of these materials will be on display, including:

• Makrolon® RE for Healthcare: Covestro showcases the expansion of its product portfolio into the medical and healthcare space with Makrolon^® RE – a drop-in, low carbon footprint, medical-grade polycarbonate solution.
• Drug Delivery demonstrator: Materials from Covestro’s line of medical-grade polycarbonates come together to form an innovative and sustainable drug delivery device.
• PharmaJet: Covestro and PharmaJet team up to advance needle-free injection. Makrolon^® from Covestro stands up to gamma and ethylene oxide sterilization in a device that eliminates needle-stick injuries, and can be used for COVID-19 vaccinations.
• SmartGuard^®: Covestro and SmartGuard work together to provide restful sleep for those who involuntarily grind their teeth. Makrolon^® 2858 from Covestro provides the strength, softness and biocompatibility needed for this application.
• Medical Device Housings and Hardware: Durable Makrolon^® and Makroblend^® materials feature improved disinfectant resistance and next-generation flame retardancy with skin contact biocompatibility. 

Attendees can visit the Covestro booth (#2221) to learn more about the company’s impressive combination of material solutions and technical expertise for the healthcare market.
 

"I am very pleased that we can now offer our customers even more certified mass-balanced products and thus help them even better to achieve their sustainability goals and drive the transition to a circular economy," says Sucheta Govil, Chief Commercial Officer of Covestro. "In doing so, we are also supporting the use of alternative raw materials and reducing CO₂ emissions along the value chains."

Dr. Klaus Schäfer, Chief Technology Officer at Covestro, adds, "The raw materials we use for these products meet the high sustainability requirements of the ISCC Plus standard all the way back through the supply chain. That's why we want to make greater use of alternative raw materials such as these renewably attributed precursors in our production. In addition to the three German sites, also our plants in Antwerp and Shanghai are already ISCC Plus certified, with more sites to follow."

In the mass balance approach, bio-based or recycled raw materials – in this case reprocessed residual materials – are fed in at an early stage of raw material extraction and mathematically attributed to the finished products. This saves fossil raw materials and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, while the quality of the mass-balanced products remains the same compared to purely fossil-based ones. Manufacturers can continue to use their proven formulations, equipment and processes.

ISCC ("International Sustainability and Carbon Certification") is an internationally recognized system for sustainability certification of biomass and bioenergy, among others. The standard covers all stages of the value chain and is widely used worldwide. ISCC Plus includes further certification options for technical-chemical applications, among others, including plastics from biomass.

Covestro and Ceres Holographics, Scotland, are now expanding their collaboration to make transparent displays with volume holographic optical elements fit for application readiness in the automotive industry in particular. The opening of Ceres Holographics' new digital mastering and replication facility in Livingston is another important step for both companies to build and scale this technology.

The technical collaboration will focus on optimizing Covestro’s Bayfol^® HX film and Ceres’ HoloFlekt^® mastering and replication equipment with respect to the system geometry of various vehicle classes, imaging performance, as well as integration requirements. "By expanding our relationship with our long-time partner Ceres, we are significantly advancing forward-looking display solutions. The interest and exchange with OEMs shows us that a new generation of displays for mobility applications are important," says Moritz Winterstein, Head of Growth Ventures Specialty Films at Covestro.

Ceres' holography system and design capabilities enable the development of vehicle-specific master designs, which can then be produced in replicas as large-format HoloFlekt^® films and integrated into glass. The system efficiently directs the projector light into the user’s eye-box and maintains the high transparency of the screen. "Bayfol^® HX films from Covestro are key to our ability to provide high-volume transparent films with light-guiding optical functions for volume holographic display solutions," said Andy Travers, chief executive officer of Ceres.

Transparent displays with volume holographic elements are attractive not only for automotive applications, but also, for example, for applications in buses, trains, industrial vehicles, and aircraft, as well as in architectural glazing.

Physical and digital identities are being used more and more frequently in the production of ID cards and passports to help protect ID documents against forgery and manipulation. Visible security features in particular are gaining in importance.

Low fluorescence increases security of ID documents

The market continues to require a consistent fluorescence level of ID documents. The latest Makrofol^® ID polycarbonate film solution from Covestro is well suited for this, as it can further enhance consistent and low fluorescence levels for ID cards and passport data pages. The low fluorescence feature can additionally achieve security level 2 by using UV light for verification when applying raised laser-engraved tactile characters during the ID document personalization. In this way, this transparent polycarbonate film from Covestro can help enhance the security of ID documents.

In addition to this development, Covestro will be showcasing its sophisticated "clear window" concepts for polycarbonate ID documents at the conference. These transparent window solutions are enabled by the use of thin white, highly opaque polycarbonate films, Makrofol^® ID O.V.M color-changing polycarbonate films with level 1, 2 and 3 security features of Covestro as well as with Makrofol^® ID superlaser polycarbonate films. An integrated solution for passports will also be presented, consisting of a passport book cover and hinge using TPU films and a polycarbonate data page.

Georgios Tziovaras, Global Business Development Manager Identification in the Specialty Films business entity, will give two presentations on these and other developments at the accompanying conference: a speed talk on November 30 at 5:00 pm (CET) and a presentation on December 1 at noon.

More comfortable and sustainable wearables

Wearable patch sensors (smart patches) are enjoying increasing popularity, as they offer a wide range of options for medical diagnosis. Current trends include enhanced convenience, even more functions, and ongoing miniaturization. What's more, the public is demanding more sustainable solutions and a move away from disposable products. Together with its partner accensors, Covestro has developed a smart patch consisting of two elements: The disposable patch, which contains the sensors, and the ReUse patch, which contains the electronics. This makes it possible to reuse the valuable electronic parts.

Efficient production of wound dressings

The production of wound dressings and plasters, as well as medical wearables, involves a multi-stage process. The combination of a polypropylene (PP) backing with blown films from the Platilon® range made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), in particular, is now proving to be well suited to satisfying today's high demands for process efficiency and ease of use in wound care. In comparison to the production of paper backings, the generation of dust in the production process is significantly reduced.

Breathable wound dressings to prevent bedsores

In the case of prolonged disease progression, it is important to prevent bedsores (pressure ulcers). Covestro has developed a concept for a prevention dressing that addresses the three most important factors for bedsores: Pressure, friction and shear. A highly breathable prototype is made exclusively from Covestro polyurethane materials.

The key features of this prototype wound care dressing made from Baymedix® and Platilon® materials are:

• Optimized friction, shear and pressure management
• Excellent moisture management to support a healthy microclimate
• Application- and skin-friendly polyurethane adhesive
• Efficient and sustainable manufacturing technology

Extra matte films for increased wear comfort

The PP backings can also be combined with multilayer Platilon® TPU films, for example, to achieve individual properties such as a specific surface finish. TPU blown films offer a wide range of surface qualities from silky to extra matte. In particular, Platilon® XM films offer an extra matte, skin-like surface and a soft feel that offers increased comfort for patients. Medical products made with the low-friction Platilon® XM films adhere to the skin longer because friction against textiles is minimized. This, in turn, prevents premature changes of dressings and plasters. Owing to its soft surface feel, the film feels like a second skin. It is used in wound dressings, plasters and other medical products that require high breathability.

High-quality breast implants require high packaging standards

Breast implants must be treated with the utmost care, from manufacture and transport to visual inspection before surgery. The packaging must be particularly shock-resistant, transparent, and highly sterile. Makrofol® MA507 and MA336 polycarbonate films are able to achieve the necessary impact resistance and transparency. They also withstand superheated steam sterilization at 120 and more degrees Celsius without damage. Covestro also offers films for packaging orthopedic implants.

One particularly sensational application is the possibility of superimposing changing information on the edge of corrective lenses for eyeglasses. This turns ordinary visual aids into smart data glasses. For instance, wearers of data glasses or head-mounted displays can communicate with experts remotely during inspections or service work, while keeping their hands free for work.

META is presenting itself at the show as a one-stop shop for advanced optical components: "We are pleased to present a range of smart applications that can be embedded in correction lenses for augmented reality (AR) glasses," said George Palikaras, president and CEO of META. "Our collaboration with Covestro enables us to offer highly functional, advanced materials and proprietary systems for high-volume production from a single source."

META's one-stop-shop approach, combined with Covestro's Bayfol^® HX technology, offers a number of benefits for OEMs. A wide variety of holographic optical solutions can be realized with a wide range of material thicknesses and formats. "The strength of our strategic collaborative effort is based on the versatility of combining Bayfol^® HX films with META's ARfusion™ lens casting technology," emphasizes Moritz Winterstein, Head of Growth Ventures Specialty Films at Covestro. The eyeglass lenses, including the volume holographic elements, can be produced in high volumes and cost-effectively - thanks to roll-to-roll coating and deposition technologies as well as state-of-the-art plastic processing. META and Covestro cater to the entire value chain, from optical design and material selection, to mass production and integration.

"With this expansion in capacity, we are strengthening our Dormagen site as a production and competence center for specialty films," says Dr. Klaus Schäfer, Chief Technology Officer at Covestro. "At the same time, we are investing in future-oriented technologies and applications."

The new lines will mainly produce multilayer flat films. These products, for example, play an important role in identity documents in order to embed security features and ensure the best possible protection against counterfeiting. They are also used in medical technology and car interiors.

Equipped for the future

Michael Friede, Global Head of the Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties segment: "These high-quality products and applications represent an important future business for Covestro. With the new capacities and their integration into our film center, we are emphasizing our proximity to the customer and our service."

"Our new production lines are equipped with state-of-the-art technology," emphasizes Dr. Thorsten Dreier, Global Head of Covestro’s Specialty Films and Thermoplastic Polyurethanes business. "That’s why we can now supply our customers faster and with higher quality. We also want to improve our development work and bring new products to market even faster."

Competence centers close to customers

The competence center in Dormagen houses production, a technical center for film processing, as well as a showroom and research laboratories. Covestro operates two other German competence centers for semi-finished products in Leverkusen and Bomlitz, as well as several competence centers worldwide.

As a further measure of the global investment program, Covestro started up a new production facility for polycarbonate films in Map Ta Phut, Thailand, last year. Previously, a coextrusion film plant in Guangzhou, China, was converted for the future and the efficiency and quality of production in South Deerfield, USA, were improved.

Smart patches should be as small, flexible, and unnoticeable as possible in order to offer patients a high level of comfort. The newly developed solution consists of two elements: a non-reusable element (the Disposable Patch) including sensors that is applied to the skin with an adhesive and used only once, and a reusable element, the ReUse Patch, which houses all the electronics, for example the measurement technology, power supply, data processing, radio transmission and if desired an optical camera.

High comfort, ease of use, efficient manufacturing

Thanks to Covestro materials and to integrated film sensors, the wearable patches are very lightweight, thin and flexible, and fit well to the surface of your body – you can hardly feel them. Polyurethane adhesives made from Baymedix® raw materials are skin-friendly and offer low trauma when removed from the skin. Various sensors are integrated in the patch to determine vital signs, for example pulse, pressure or temperature. Here, sensor integration is achieved by using special Platilon® films in combination with a thermoformable foam based on Baymedix®. All these materials are breathable and can be efficiently processed with roll-to-roll technology.

Removing and inserting the ReUse Patch into the Disposable Patch couldn’t be easier – thanks to an ideal combination of materials and function. accensors particularly developed a film sensor that forms the interface between the smart patch and the patient and can be equipped with varied sensors.

Smart patches are already widely used for medical diagnosis, for example, to measure a patient’s blood sugar levels, body temperature, or heart rate. The observation of disease patterns such as skin cancer or chronic wounds is also possible. Many other applications are emerging in sports and recreation. Covestro is contributing to the further dissemination of these innovative products through customer-oriented developments.

Bayfol® HX film from Covestro is a transparent and thin film featuring a light-sensitive, self-developing photopolymer. It is ideal for the reproducible production of highly efficient volume holograms. Throughout their collaboration to date, the two partners have customized the film to meet the specific requirements of this application.

New generation of display applications in vehicles

This transparent display solution enables new line-of-sight applications in automobiles and commercial vehicles that provides drivers, passengers and pedestrians with a safer and more pleasant experience on the road than before while still achieving the quality, price levels and production volumes demanded by automotive OEMs.

“Ceres Holographics has been testing how to harness the unique properties of our Bayfol® HX film for holographic transparent display applications for years, and has produced outstanding results,” said Yuen-Ling Lok, Head of Commercial Operations, Holographic LightGuiding at Covestro. “We intend to continue working with our partner in the emerging supply chain to commercialize this film in the mobility segment. The project is yet another example of how customers are increasingly asking for specialized solutions. We are happy to support them in this journey.”

Strong demand from OEMs

“Our partnership with Covestro has enabled us to respond to the strong demand for cost-effective and easy-to-implement transparent display solutions in the automotive and commercial vehicle sectors,” said Andy Travers, Chief Executive Officer of Ceres Holographics. “We specialize in the design, mastering and reproduction of thin film HOEs. Our digitally-mastered HOEs feature full color and a wide vision field, yielding precision-engineered optical performance and functionality in windscreens and windows at prices that the market demands.”

Ceres holographic transparent display technology has already been successfully demonstrated in OEM prototypes, enabling full-color display of information on front, side and rear car windows. Ceres is currently involved in go-to-market programs with several global commercial vehicle and automotive OEMs targeting production dates between 2022 and 2025.

"The world is changing rapidly – this also brings new challenges for ID documents," says Henry Leung, global head of the Identification segment in the Specialty Films division at Covestro. "The global trend is increasingly to take advantage of the best of two worlds, physical and digital identity. A perfect ID would be based on a balance of security, fast identification, durability and efficiency." At this year's Identity Week virtual conference, Covestro is introducing a new, integrated passport concept with a passport cover, polycarbonate data page and hinge.

Security features for fast and efficient checks

Covestro is shareholder of the French start-up company Crime Science Technology (C.S.T) and makes use of its Optical Variable Material (O.V.M) technology. Covestro has developed its Makrofol^® ID O.V.M color shifting polycarbonate film for clear window and transparent areas in polycarbonate ID documents. In conjunction with the film, the O.V.M technology enables completely new color-shifting effects for security features in levels 1, 2 and 3, which makes ID documents more forgery-resistant, easier to inspect, remember and verify. The Makrofol^® ID O.V.M polycarbonate film can be integrated into existing ID document manufacturing processes without the need for further modifications.

There is also strong demand for ID documents that show only low fluorescence under UV radiation. To meet this demand, Covestro has developed the polycarbonate film Makrofol^® ID Low Fluorescence, which enables a consistently low level of fluorescence to be achieved for polycarbonate ID cards and ID pages. The film can also be used to achieve a level 2 security feature for laser-engraved tactile characters. This provides additional counterfeit protection that can be easily verified when checking ID documents.

Effective protection of passport chip and antenna

The innovative passport cover is scratch and tear resistant and contains Platilon^® ID films made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). They contribute to better protection of the embedded chip and antenna within the eCover. These innovative passport covers can be equipped with various security features and produced in different surface textures and colors.

Such TPU films can also be applied in a passport hinge application. This creates a flexible passsport hinge that bonds well with the polycarbonate data page films and offers increased tear resistance when passports are opened and closed frequently.

Polycarbonate data page – doing more with less

Covestro also already offers its so-called Superlaser technology to increase counterfeit protection. It is based on a composite of three particularly laser-reactive layers within a single polycarbonate film, saving energy and time during laser engraving while yielding a very high-contrast image. In addition, thin high opaque white Makrofol^® ID polycarbonate films from Covestro unite the advantages of accommodating sophisticated designs for clear windows and transparent areas in ID documents together with simplified production processes.

On this topic, Covestro experts Henry Leung and Georgios Tziovaras, together with Gautier Alloyez, Managing Director at C.S.T, are organizing a roundtable discussion at Identity Week 2020 on November 17, 2020, from 4.10 p.m. CET.

“With this additional production line using state-of-the-art technology, we are investing in future growth in the Asia-Pacific markets, which are very important to us," says Sucheta Govil, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Covestro. "At the same time, we are responding to the rapidly growing demand for specialty films in this region and are supporting the expansion of promising technologies and industries.”

More intensive customer service

Dr. Thorsten Dreier, Global Head of Specialty Films, sees advantages in customer service: "The new production line is important to us because it enables faster market launches and at the same time expands our market access in Asia-Pacific. Our most important goal is to intensify our cooperation with customers in the region and to increase our efficiency. We intend to drive growth in the plastic film business with innovations and a stronger customer focus.”

Covestro has been operating a production facility for specialty films in Thailand since 2007. The range comprises polycarbonate films from the Makrofol® range and Bayfol® products made from polycarbonate blends. The new line is equipped with the latest technology and operates very efficiently.

As a further measure in the investment program to expand film production, Covestro has already converted a coextrusion film plant in Guangzhou, China, for the future. At the South Deerfield site in the USA, the efficiency and quality of film production was also improved. The next milestone will be the expansion of films production in Dormagen, where the company is currently building up new coextrusion capacities. This project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2020.

“In particular, a high-quality and individual design has considerable influence on consumers' buying decisions while providing car manufacturers opportunities for brand differentiation,” explained Jochen Hardt, Global Marketing Mobility in the Polycarbonates segment at Covestro, in a live webcast to journalists. “Here, the focus is on the design of surfaces using colors, optics and haptics, with light effects and functions. Products from Covestro open up almost unlimited possibilities.”

Jack of all trades polycarbonate

Plastics such as the polycarbonate Makrolon^® and the polycarbonate blends Bayblend^® and Makroblend^® are lightweight and robust and ensure good thermal and electrical insulation. They can be used to implement a wide range of design solutions, with glass-like surfaces, many colors and options for integrating displays, sensors and cameras.

Wafer-thin layers of natural materials such as wood and marble will play a vital role in the car interior of the future. On the surface of injection-molded components made of the polycarbonate Makrolon^® Ai (derived from "Automotive interior"), they are ideal for creating a feel-good ambience.

Good mood with lighting effects

With lighting, the effects can be enhanced even further. One example is the floor in the prototype car interior concept: Here, light from a polycarbonate part shines through a wafer-thin layer of marble. This effect could also be created by coating it with a digitally printed film.

But the high transparency of polycarbonate itself can also be used to create lighting effects, for example by illuminating the background or edges. The light can be dynamic and communicative, but also atmospheric, relaxing and cozy. Covestro anticipates growing demand for increasingly personalized lighting experiences and functions.

Polycarbonate also forms the basis for continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites called Maezio®. The unidirectional arrangement of the fibers lends the surface a special aesthetic effect. In addition, the seat shells made from it and a new space-saving table are very light and exceptionally robust.

More sustainable coatings

The use of paints and coatings in car interiors is also multifaceted. Many colors as well as optical and haptic effects are possible here. Covestro was a pioneer in the development of water-based coatings with a very low content of volatile organic compounds (VOC). In the interior concept, the waterborne floor topcoat is based on the polyurethane (PU) raw materials Bayhydrol^® and Bayhydur^®, which give it durability and individuality. The aqueous INSQIN^® PU technology for textile coating is used in the headrests, instrument panel and seats.

Covestro is also a pioneer in the use of predominantly organic-based PU raw materials such as the coating hardeners Desmodur^® eco N 7300 and Bayhydur^® eco 701-90 and the urethane acrylate dispersion Bayhydrol^® eco 2877.

Advantage of polyurethane

The floor of the interior has been completely redesigned with PU materials to create a pleasant and homelike setting. Baypreg^® is a two-component polyurethane system that is lighter than steel, providing significant advantages. The combination of Baypreg^® and glass fiber mats with core materials such as paper honeycomb or foamed polycarbonate enables a significant reduction in weight while providing high mechanical strength.

The Baynat^® PU system provides effective sound absorption. It makes self-supporting components possible and has long been used in vehicle headliners, but it is likely to play a particularly important role in the quiet electric car of the future when it comes to absorbing the noise of other passengers and the world outside. The soft Bayfit^® polyurethane system is recommended for even greater damping of noise and vehicle vibrations. It is usually foamed in cavities for this purpose.

Our Presskit

Find more information on the topic in our press kit!

Press Releases:

• Design variety in the car interior of the future
• Modular table concept for the car of the future
• Innovative lightweight construction concept for seat backs

Images:

Videos:

Press Kit
Press Releases about "Future Car Interior":

• "The automotive interior of the future: from display to vegan seat covers – Covestro and its partners develop a premium concept"
• "The reinvention of the display – The future of mobility: seamless and fully networked"
• "Get to your destination in peace and serenity – More privacy thanks to acoustic foams made from Covestro raw materials"
• "Innovative polyurethane synthetics thanks to INSQIN® technology – High quality, low environmental impact and customized design"

Images

“More and more customers are supporting sustainable products,” says Dr. Wieland Hovestadt, head of Research and Development in the Specialty Films division. "This is why research on bio-based products is an important priority for us." The increased use of alternative resources for in-house production is part of a long-term strategic program that Covestro is implementing as it fully commits to the circular economy.

Makrofol® EC has properties that are comparable in quality to standard polycarbonate films of the Makrofol® range. It also features improved chemical and weather resistance as well as increased abrasion resistance. The film is suitable for further processing in standard processes. For instance, it can be easily printed on, laminated, coated and can be formed by thermoforming or high pressure forming (HPF) processes. It can be used in applications in the electrical, consumer and automotive industries, as is typical for conventional polycarbonate films.

“With this step, we are strengthening our position as an innovation driver in special films for ID documents,” says Dr. Thorsten Dreier, Global Head of the Specialty Films business at Covestro. “With the new partnership and the introduction of Makrofol^® ID O.V.M^® films we are creating a new degree of security.” Covestro has many years of experience in the development and production of films for identification documents.

Cosimo Prete, President and founder of C.S.T, also welcomes the new strategic cooperation: “We value Covestro as a very innovative partner in the development of film solutions for the production of identification documents and look forward to working together in this growing market.”

Security features for easy contro

To prevent document attacks through forgery, manipulation and identity theft, ID documents such as ID Cards or passports are equipped with various security features. In routine ID checks, visible and haptic level 1 elements in particular are becoming increasingly important, as they can be checked quickly and without additional technical equipment.

Covestro and C.S.T have been working together in this field since 2016. Last year, Covestro introduced the transparent Makrofol^® ID O.V.M^® film to the industry. The O.V.M® material technology creates a completely new color change effect, which is a very strong level 1 security feature. The new film can be integrated into existing card manufacturing processes without further modifications.

Breast implants are sensitive products that should arrive undamaged at the treating doctor or hospital after manufacture, sterilization and transport. Covestro's Makrofol^® MA507 polycarbonate film is well suitable for their packaging because it is highly transparent and allows the physician to reliably visually inspect the implant before unpacking it. It also provides stable protection for the valuable medical device. The comparable product Makrofol^® MA336 offers the same advantages, but also features a laminating film on it.

Both films are characterized by high tear and impact resistance. They can be easily thermoformed and are fully compatible with the demanding autoclave sterilization process, where they need to withstand temperatures of up to 163 degrees Celsius. Both materials meet the ISO 9001:2015 quality management standard and two ASTM standard specifications for implantable breast prosthesis certification.

At the TRUSTECH 2019 trade fair from November 26-28, 2019 in Cannes, France, Covestro will be presenting innovative film solutions for passports at booth A045 under the motto “Rethinking the Passport”. These new materials meet the requirements of the next passport generation in terms of counterfeit protection, durability and more effective production processes. Covestro has many years of experience in the development and production of materials for ID documents.

Innovative films for secure passports and ID card concepts

Solutions with innovative Makrofol^® ID, Platilon^® ID and Dureflex^® ID specialty films now provide more space within the ID document and passport data pages to integrate additional security features into physical document elements and the digital chip for a secure identification of citizens.

In order to prevent document attacks through forgery, manipulation and identity theft, citizen ID documents are equipped with various security elements. This starts at the very beginning of document creation process with robust substrate materials and innovative security concepts to protect the physical and digital elements.

Covestro experts will conduct presentations on the following topics at the Conference and will also attend a round table session:

• Re-thinking passport concepts enabled by innovative specialty films”
  Tobias Kordt, Head of Specialty Films in the EMLA region
  Wednesday, November 27, 2019, 4:00 p.m., Innovation Stage
• Innovation unboxed – new concepts for passports and identification documents”
  Henry Leung, Global Segment Manager Identification in the Specialty Films Division
  Wednesday, November 27, 2019, 10:50 a.m., Innovation Stage
• Secure document and authentication” Georgios Tziovaras, Global Business Development Manager Identification in the Specialty Films Division
  Thursday, November 28, 2019, 12:30 p.m., Round Table Session

The National Institute for Astrophysics in Italy (INAF) is working on holographic optical elements based on volume holograms, which very effectively decompose the light of stars into their colors in order to study it spectroscopically. During many years of cooperation with the materials manufacturer Covestro its tailor-made Bayfol^® HX photopolymer films proved to be ideal for the reproducible production of highly efficient volume holograms in high-performance telescopes for very different and novel spectrometers for each of the cases realized to date. This allows periodic refractive index patterns to be flexibly inscribed into the volume of thin Bayfol^® HX films using an appropriate laser exposure setup. The starlight is diffracted very efficiently at this periodic refractive index pattern. This separates the starlight much more effectively into its spectral components than is known from a prism.

The new “reach for the stars”

“Thanks to these light-bearing photopolymer films, we were able to literally shift astronomical boundaries,” says Alessio Zanutta, Project Manager Holography at INAF – Astronomical Observatory of Brera. “In contrast to the materials previously used and available for the production of diffraction gratings and their processing limitations, volume holograms based on Bayfol^® HX enable a wide variety of diffraction grating geometries and very high combinability or integration with or into other optical elements. That opens the door to the realization of completely new spectrometers and consequently a completely new ´reach for the stars´.” For example, INAF has already succeeded in introducing the film into observatories worldwide with several instruments each in five high-performance telescopes. The oldest holographic optical element produced this way has been working reliably for over eight years.

Bayfol^® HX films consist of a transparent carrier film on which a light-sensitive layer and an additional protective outer film are placed. They are manufactured on an industrial scale. In Bayfol^® HX, volume holograms can be imprinted in the films in a user-friendly, purely optical manner and reproducibly, without any chemical pre-treatment or post-treatment.

Wide range of applications

“Our photopolymer films can be successfully used in demanding applications such as spectrometers in high-performance telescopes for astronomy. They are, of course, particularly suitable for many consumer applications,” explains Friedrich-Karl Bruder, Head of Application Development Holography. These include transparent windshield displays, innovative holographic car lighting, forgery-proof documents, smart and augmented reality glasses, as well as cockpit use to protect pilots from laser attacks from the ground.

Canada-based start-up North is a pioneer in this market by launching the first commercial smart glasses called Focals^® that look like everyday glasses. One of the many challenges with developing such complex devices is not sacrificing form factor for functionality, thus maintaining the appearance of standard glasses. Covestro’s Bayfol^® HX products offer cutting edge solutions to enable high performing yet design-appealing smart glass products.

Since the inception of Focals^®, Covestro has been the strategic supplier of tailored materials for North’s diffractive optical solutions. “North is engaging with Covestro in development efforts involving the use of certain Covestro customized photopolymer films, to obtain excellent optical performance and outstanding cosmetic appearance in seethrough AR applications on North devices,” said Stefan Alexander, Vice President, Advanced R&D at North.

Extended battery life through photopolymer films

A challenge with all mobile computing platforms is battery life, which Covestro’s photopolymer helps maximize. "In mobile applications where battery life is decisive, low energy consuming devices can be realized with Bayfol^® HX film," explained Dr. Friedrich-Karl Bruder, Head of Application Development Holographic LightGuiding at Covestro. “This is due to the distinct feature of volume holograms recorded into our film that allows a high diffraction efficiency for light guiding and light redirection which can be tuned to almost 100 percent.”

Thanks to its long-standing expertise, Covestro is well positioned to provide innovative solutions in holography technology and photopolymer chemistry. "Our experience built over the past decade enables solutions for specific requirements,” said Thomas Roelle, Head of Raw Materials for Holographic LightGuiding at Covestro. “Covestro’s infrastructure is set up to translate complex optical needs into viable material solutions on an industrial scale."

The Invisalign system from Align Technology is a clear aligner system for straightening teeth, and the most advanced clear aligner treatment available. It is available through Invisalign trained dentists and orthodontists.

Align Technology pioneered the clear aligner orthodontic segment 22 years ago with the launch of the Invisalign system. Through continuous innovation, the Invisalign system is a leading solution in the field of clear aligner orthodontics.

At the Covestro booth (Stand A 75 in Hall 6), visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about Align Technology’s cutting-edge innovations, as well as view interactive videos, see and touch sample aligners.

On October 18, 2019 at 12:00-12:30 pm at the Covestro booth, Markus Sebastian, Senior Vice President & Managing Director at Align Technology EMEA, will deliver a keynote address, followed by a discussion about the Invisalign system.

The Invisalign System with SmartTrack material

The patented SmartTrack material, used to produce Invisalign clear aligners is a multilayer, highly elastic, transparent material, jointly developed with Covestro, designed specifically for the Invisalign system to achieve more predictable orthodontic treatments*.

The multi-layer, transparent material, engineered over a span of eight years with more than 260 material variations developed and evaluated, exerts gentle, constant force that enables doctors to better control tooth movements.

Orthodontic treatment with clear aligners is preceded by a patient assessment by the treating doctor who takes a digital scan or manual impression of a patient’s teeth. A digital treatment plan is then created and – once approved by the doctor – the individual aligners are produced and shipped. The treatment plan is digitally staged, and custom-made digital aligners are manufactured so that the patient's malpositioned teeth are corrected in small steps to a better smile. The patient is required to change the aligners at regular intervals as directed by the doctor, and take them out for eating and drinking.

Comfort and functionality

“The Invisalign system with SmartTrack material, SmartForce^® features and SmartStage^® technology enables tooth misalignments to be corrected with greater than 75 percent improvement** in overall tooth movement predictability,” said Zelko Relic, Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President, Global R&D at Align Technology. “This clear, highly elastic material makes Invisalign aligners easily inserted and removed by patients of all ages, from growing patients who have a mixture of primary and permanent teeth, to teens and adults.”

“The Invisalign system with patented SmartTrack material is a combination of an individual, digitally planned treatment and individually customized aligners by thermoforming films, which are manufactured by Covestro,” said Dr. Thorsten Dreier, Global Head of Specialty Films at Covestro, the SmartTrack supplier to the Invisalign system. “Thanks to our joint materials research with Align Technology, we're providing foundation for a new, bright smile for millions of new patients across Europe and worldwide.”

Align Technology Senior Vice President and Managing Director, EMEA, Markus Sebastian, adds: “I would like to thank Covestro for inviting us to be part of this exciting showcase here at the K 2019 Trade Show in Düsseldorf. I am looking forward to sharing our cutting-edge technology that has enabled Invisalign trained doctors to create beautiful smiles for over 7 million people worldwide, including over 1 million patients in the EMEA region.”

*/** Data on file, Align Technology.