“City of Sustainnovation”
Covestro at the European Coatings Show from March 19-21, 2019
Innovative and sustainable developments for different industries
Cities have a special fascination – the combination of job possibilities, quality of life and modern infrastructure tempts many people to live in cities and accelerates urbanization. Large metropolitan areas are an important motor for innovation, but they also represent a major challenge for the sustainable management of resources, the climate and the environment.
“In the exciting field of innovation and sustainability, the modern living environment of a city is also the conceptual framework for our presentation at the European Coatings Show 2019,” explains Michael Friede, global head of the Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties segment at Covestro. At booth number 528 in hall 4A, the company invites visitors to its “City of Sustainnovation” and presents current developments with raw materials for coatings and adhesives, some of them in close-to-production applications. “They are examples for specific applications, but they are also proof of the widespread interest by important industrial sectors,” adds Michael Friede.
In summary: “City of Sustainnovation” – Covestro’s booth motto at the European Coatings Show 2019 – promotes innovations for sustainable developments that are pushing boundaries. “In addition to water-based and other low-VOC coatings, we are focusing on bio-based raw materials and, for the first time, biodegradable products,” says Michael Hellemann Soerensen, head of Commercial Operations in the Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties segment in the Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America region (EMEA/LATAM). Product safety and industrial hygiene play an important role, as does increasing the productivity of manufacturing processes.”
Ultra-low content of diisocyanate monomers
Covestro demonstrates applications of Desmodur® ultra, using a coated fender as an example. This polyurethane hardener contains less than 0.1 percent by weight of free diisocyanate monomer, and thus complies with the guidelines of the current REACH restriction dossier for limiting the use of diisocyanate hardeners. With its ultra series, Covestro provides polyurethane hardeners whose content of rest monomers is below the new limit. Thus they improve work hygiene over earlier products.
Lecture on this topic: Joachim Petzoldt, ECS Conference, March 19, from 9:30 a.m.
New hardener for fast-drying water-based 2K furniture coatings
Solvent-based polyurethane systems account for around 40 percent of the global market for industrial wood and furniture coatings. On the contrary, water-based polyurethane coatings are the technology of choice when it comes to low-emission systems with high performance capability. Their longer drying times, however, are an obstacle to wider distribution.
Covestro is now launching the new Bayhydur® quix 306-70 hydrophilic polyisocyanate hybrid hardener – the first of its kind, which will enable dual-component, water-based wood and furniture coatings with similar quick drying properties that are found in solvent-based systems. The pot life meets the requirements of the coatings industry.
Lecture on this topic: Eva Tejada, ECS Conference, March 19, from 2:00 p.m.
Pasquick® technology with improved gloss retention
For several years, polyaspartate coatings with Pasquick® technology have proven highly effective in providing steel structures and industrial plants with long-lasting corrosion protection. Thanks to the elimination of a coating step compared with the previous multi-layer composition, contractors can now save time and money and be more flexible. In addition, the coatings contain only a few volatile organic components (VOCs), and facilities can be put back into operation again quicker.
The new product Desmophen® NH 1423, an amino-functional reaction partner for polyisocyanates, will be presented at the European Coatings Show. In coating formulas, it ensures improved gloss retention properties – for example, in large-surface applications such as sports arenas, wind farm towers and agricultural and construction machinery.
Lecture on this topic: Thomas Schüttler, podium speech, March 19, from 1:30 p.m., Hall 9.
Sonnenwagen: coating test under extreme conditions
A particular eye-catcher in the “City of Sustainnovation” is the Sonnenwagen from students at RWTH Aachen University and FH Aachen. They designed the solar-powered electric race car themselves and in October 2017 they entered it in the world’s toughest solar car race: the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge from Darwin to Adelaide.
On the over 3,000-kilometer course, PPG’s polyurethane clear coat for car repairs was also tested, and Covestro’s bio-based hardener, Desmodur® eco N 7300, was employed here. The coating held up well in the harsh climate of Australia. For this year’s race, the students want to build a new car and rank among the world’s elite. Covestro supports the project with various materials and technical service, and is also their main sponsor.
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.
For more information please see www.covestro.com.
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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.