Covestro and SOL Kohlensäure sign framework agreement for biogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂)

Materials manufacturer Covestro and SOL Kohlensäure GmbH & Co. KG have concluded a framework agreement for a supply partnership for biogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂). With immediate effect, SOL, as one of the most important European suppliers of gases and gas services, will supply the liquefied gas to Covestro sites in North Rhine-Westphalia, where it will be used to produce plastics such as MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate) and polycarbonate. Under the terms of the framework agreement, SOL Kohlensäure will already supply up to 1,000 metric tons of biogenic CO₂ this year. From 2023, the supply volume is to be further increased substantially, enabling Covestro to save the same amount of CO₂ from fossil sources at its NRW sites.

“We have set ourselves the goal to become fully circular. To this end, we want to convert our raw material base to 100% renewable sources. We are very pleased to have found a partner in SOL Kohlensäure who will support us in this transformation with a pioneering spirit,” explains Daniel Koch, Head of NRW Plants at Covestro.

“We at SOL Kohlensäure are advancing the shift to more sustainable CO₂ sources. In this way, we are increasing security of supply, becoming independent of fossil raw materials, and reducing our environmental footprint at the same time,” emphasizes Falko Probst, Sales Manager at SOL Kohlensäure.

From waste product to raw material

The CO₂ used is obtained by SOL Kohlensäure from various sources, such as bioethanol and biogas plants. In these plants, CO₂ is produced as a by-product during the treatment of various biomasses, such as plant residues.  This is separated by SOL Carbon Dioxide, purified and then made available to Covestro production as a raw material. 

In this way, the supply partnership supports the circular concept and contributes to reducing emissions. 

Covestro’s Lower Rhine sites in Leverkusen, Dormagen and Krefeld-Uerdingen are ISCC PLUS certified and can supply their customers with more sustainable products made from renewable raw materials.

Goal of climate neutrality by 2035

Covestro has set itself the goal of becoming fully circular. This also includes using alternative raw materials. Biomass, CO₂, as well as end-of-life materials and waste replace fossil raw materials such as crude oil or natural gas. Carbon is managed in a circular way. In realizing these ambitions, both companies are relying on long-term supply partnerships.

In addition to biogenic CO₂, Covestro is investigating the use of other technical gases from renewable sources. The materials manufacturer is already offering its customers its first sustainable products, such as climate-neutral¹  MDI. With the expansion of its alternative raw material base, this portfolio is set to grow further in the coming years.

ISCC (“International Sustainability and Carbon Certification”) is an internationally recognized system for the sustainability certification of biomass and bioenergy, among others. The standard applies to all stages of the value chain and is recognized worldwide. ISCC Plus also encompasses other certification options for instance for technical-chemical applications, such as plastics from biomass.

¹ _{Climate neutrality is the result of an internal assessment of a partial product life cycle from raw material extraction (cradle) to the factory gate (Covestro gate), also known as cradle-to-gate assessment. The methodology of our life cycle assessment, which has been critically reviewed by TÜV Rheinland, is based on ISO standards 14040 and 14044. The calculation takes into account biogenic carbon sequestration based on compensation measures.}