<![CDATA[Covestro Press]]> https://www.covestro.com/press/ en Mon, 07 Sep 2026 19:27:31 +0200 Thu, 21 May 2026 10:55:24 +0200 <![CDATA[Covestro Press]]> https://content.presspage.com/clients/150_2529.png https://www.covestro.com/press/ 144 Covestro and Genofort partner to advance ultra-flexible haptic systems for intelligent automotive interiors https://www.covestro.com/press/covestro-and-genofort-partner-to-advance-ultra-flexible-haptic-systems-for-intelligent-automotive-interiors/ https://www.covestro.com/press/covestro-and-genofort-partner-to-advance-ultra-flexible-haptic-systems-for-intelligent-automotive-interiors/746455
  • Collaboration combines advanced TPU films and printed electronics expertise to accelerate next-generation cockpit applications
    • ]]>    About Genofort:

    Genofort is an innovative global company specializing in ultra-flexible & soft printed electronics, with focus on haptic interaction solutions for automotive interior applications.

    The company’s self-developed “AIC (Adaptive Interaction Circuit)” technology represents the next-gen solution for interior comfort and control systems of L3/L4 autonomous driving. By enabling a seamless interaction upgrade of “Identifying → Analyzing → Understanding”, AIC introduces “the third sense” to vehicles, extending beyond traditional vision and hearing.

    Bring haptics back to interior. Empower embodied robots with haptic perception. To realize this, Genofort delivers comprehensive haptic solutions through its AIC technology, allowing printed circuits to be seamlessly applied to any surface across embodied robotics, electronic skin, and consumer electronics. Furthermore, the company has achieved a major breakthrough in energy efficiency, with its comfort functional layer reducing power consumption by over 30% compared to conventional technologies.

    Headquartered in Germany with its Asian headquarters located in Wuxi, China. As a vibrant and innovative company, Genofort has maintained an explosive growth trajectory, achieving an average annual sales growth rate of 300% over the past two years.

    About Covestro: 
    Covestro is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-quality polymer materials and their components. With its innovative products, processes and methods, the company helps enhance sustainability and the quality of life in many areas. Covestro supplies customers around the world in key industries such as mobility, building and living, as well as the electrical and electronics sector. In addition, polymers from Covestro are also used in sectors such as sports and leisure, telecommunications and health, as well as in the chemical industry itself. 

    The company is geared completely to the circular economy. In addition, Covestro aims to achieve climate neutrality for its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2035, and the Group’s Scope 3 emissions are also set to be climate neutral by 2050. Covestro generated sales of EUR 12.9 billion in fiscal year 2025. At the end of 2025, the company had 46 production sites worldwide and employed approximately 17,600 people (calculated as full-time equivalents). 

    Forward-Looking Statements 
    This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Covestro AG. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Covestro’s public reports which are available at www.covestro.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments. 

    ]]>    As automotive interiors evolve into intelligent, interactive spaces, Covestro and Jiangsu Genofort have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly develop and industrialize ultra-flexible printed electronics haptic interaction systems for automotive interior applications.

    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.”

    ]]>     Thu, 21 May 2026 10:55:24 +0200 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2529/84c58aef-fd6b-4dfa-b052-d70d2c143e41/500_20260521_covestro-genofort-mou-pic2.jpg?10000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2529/84c58aef-fd6b-4dfa-b052-d70d2c143e41/20260521_covestro-genofort-mou-pic2.jpg?10000     Covestro and EMPTECH partner to advance high-security identity document solutions https://www.covestro.com/press/covestro-and-emptech-partner-to-advance-high-security-identity-document-solutions/ https://www.covestro.com/press/covestro-and-emptech-partner-to-advance-high-security-identity-document-solutions/745183
  • Specialty Films expertise from Covestro enables innovative document personalization
  • Combining material innovation with EMPTECH’s system integration strength to capture growing demand for secure ID documents in emerging markets
    • ]]>    About EMPTECH:

    Founded in 1995 and listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE: 300546), EMPTECH is a global provider of trusted identity solutions for governments and enterprises worldwide.

    Headquartered in Shenzhen with a second headquarters in Beijing, EMPTECH combines strong R&D capabilities with an integrated cloud-to-device architecture across AI, biometrics, RFID, and digital security technologies.

    The company delivers end-to-end solutions for secure document issuance, identity verification, and digital identity platforms, supporting national ID and passport programs in multiple countries. EMPTECH also enables large-scale digital election, smart banking, and intelligent transportation systems.

    With operations spanning more than 60 countries and regions and a strong global service network, EMPTECH is committed to continuous innovation and building secure, scalable identity infrastructure that empowers smarter public services worldwide.

    About Covestro: 
    Covestro is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-quality polymer materials and their components. With its innovative products, processes and methods, the company helps enhance sustainability and the quality of life in many areas. Covestro supplies customers around the world in key industries such as mobility, building and living, as well as the electrical and electronics sector. In addition, polymers from Covestro are also used in sectors such as sports and leisure, telecommunications and health, as well as in the chemical industry itself. 

    The company is geared completely to the circular economy. In addition, Covestro aims to achieve climate neutrality for its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2035, and the Group’s Scope 3 emissions are also set to be climate neutral by 2050. Covestro generated sales of EUR 12.9 billion in fiscal year 2025. At the end of 2025, the company had 46 production sites worldwide and employed approximately 17,600 people (calculated as full-time equivalents). 

    Forward-Looking Statements 
    This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Covestro AG. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Covestro’s public reports which are available at www.covestro.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments. 

    ]]>    Covestro, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-performance polymer materials, and EMPTECH, a leading secure ID document system integrator and supplier of personalization equipment, today announced a strategic partnership to jointly develop high-security ID document solutions, combining advanced personalization equipment with specialized material technologies. The partnership has been formalized under a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding through which the companies will focus on delivering integrated solutions that meet stringent security standards for ID document projects in China and in emerging markets.

    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.”

    ]]>     Mon, 18 May 2026 08:03:37 +0200 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2529/d41ae97d-14b4-47d2-b80c-cc80b6bdbded/500_20260518_covestro-emptech-partnership-pic1.jpg?10000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2529/d41ae97d-14b4-47d2-b80c-cc80b6bdbded/20260518_covestro-emptech-partnership-pic1.jpg?10000     Premium material for designer appliances https://www.covestro.com/press/premium-material-for-designer-appliances/ https://www.covestro.com/press/premium-material-for-designer-appliances/385829Haier, a world-leading brand of major household appliances, has launched a state-of-the-art air conditioner under it's Casarte brand, utilizing Covestro’s novel continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) composites. These composites are used to house the air conditioning units, which are artistically designed in the form of two standalone cylinders, providing structure and the premium aesthetic qualities known for the brand.

    “As an award-winning high-end consumer appliance brand owned by Haier Group, Casarte is known for it's high quality design and materials,” says Xiongwei Li, Head of Marketing of Casarte, Haier Group. “In this context, it is only natural that an innovative material with premium qualities like CFRTP becomes the ideal choice for this premium air conditioner.”

    A plastic with a metallic effect
    CFRTP composites are made from ultrathin, unidirectional (UD) tapes that are laminated together at specific angles to form sheets that can be customized to specific performance criteria. The long strands of fiber are oriented and provide strength in the lengthwise direction of the fibers. The resulting thin, stiff, and lightweight yet very strong sheets look and sound like metal, but have the flexibility of a thermoplastic material. Thanks to it's unidirectional carbon texture, CFRTP lends the air conditioner a luxurious metallic effect with a sleek and beautiful surface. The overall design is modeled with Casarte’s core values by placing an emphasis on design artistry.

    “Not only does this mark a pivotal step into consumer home appliances for CFRTP composites, but it brings a new premium material and exciting new design opportunities within the reach of designers,” says David Hartmann, one of the co-CEOs of Covestro CFRTP, together with Michael Schmidt.

    A new premium material for designers
    Traditionally composites have been known to be prohibitively costly and often difficult to work with. CFRTP changes all of this, offering a modern, cost effective and easy to form thermoplastic composite material that opens the path to completely new applications and user experience.

    For the Casarte design team, it means that for the first time it has been possible to specify a high-performance composite material with unique aesthetics in their range of premium air conditioners. “Up until now, we have been quite limited in terms of material selection, typically relying on metal to provide the performance and aesthetics that we require,” says Shao Qingru, one of the CMF designers in the Casarte design team.

    Attractive surface
    In describing the depth and richness that Qingru sees in the surface texture of Covestro CFRTP, she points at a very tangible benefit of the material. “CFRTP is a very attractive material for us in that it has a natural, unidirectional surface pattern right from the start, unlike metals such as aluminum that requires some combination of finishing processes like sandblasting, brushing and anodizing before it is ready to go into the product. For CFRTP, the finish is all natural and has a beauty to itself.”

    “Based on thermoplastics, CFRTP composites can be thermoformed with existing thermoforming tools at high yield rates and short cycle times. They are compatible with a wide range of coatings and decoration processes for designing unique surfaces, logos and other signature details. Laser-etched patterns transfer easily from steel molds,” says Michael Schmidt.

    Smart air conditioning system
    The Casarte air conditioner features intelligent recognition and air zoning. It comes with sensors that can detect the location of people in a room and perceive temperatures in humans so it can intelligently control the air flow and temperature in different zones based on the needs of people.

    Strategic partnership
    This is not the first time for Covestro’s innovative material solutions to be used in Haier products. The partnership was already forged at Haier’s foundation in 1984, when Covestro (at that time Bayer) began supplying raw materials to Haier for the thermal insulation of refrigerators. In October 2017, Covestro and Haier signed a global strategic cooperation agreement on the expansion of their decade-long partnership to a global scale, by constantly developing advanced products featuring the latest material solutions to address the market demands of the global home appliances industry.

    About Covestro:
    With 2017 sales of EUR 14.1 billion, Covestro is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, construction, wood processing and furniture, and electrical and electronics industries. Other sectors include sports and leisure, cosmetics, health and the chemical industry itself. Covestro has 30 production sites worldwide and employs approximately 16,200 people (calculated as full-time equivalents) at the end of 2017.

    Find more information at www.covestro.com and www.cfrtp.covestro.com.
    Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CovestroGroup


    Forward-looking statements
    This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Covestro AG. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Covestro’s public reports which are available at www.covestro.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

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