Covestro introduces five coating solutions for sustainable transformation in China

Covestro has unveiled five cutting-edge, low-carbon polyurethane coating solutions as part of its #STATUSNEXT series of events, coinciding with the ChinaCoat 2023 trade fair held in Shanghai from November 14 to17. These innovative solutions cater to diverse sectors, including transportation, construction, printing and packaging, and industrial coatings. Notably, four of these innovative solutions were developed at Covestro’s Asia Pacific Innovation Center in Shanghai and are set to be locally manufactured in China. This unveiling underscores Covestro’s commitment to driving the development of the Chinese coatings and adhesives market through extensive industry coverage and swift market responsiveness.

“China is one of Covestro’s largest markets and one of the world’s largest polyurethane markets. Covestro remains committed to strengthening its presence within the market while fostering the advancement of industry clientele. The completion of our new facility for polyurethane dispersions (PUD) in Shanghai exemplifies our dedication to meeting the burgeoning demand for sustainable coatings in Asia Pacific, especially China,” affirmed Anand Khot, Senior Vice President of Coatings and Adhesives Asia Pacific at Covestro.

The #STATUSNEXT series events feature online seminars and virtual exhibition halls. These platforms are thoughtfully designed to offer industry colleagues a flexible, convenient, and highly efficient communication channel.

Commencing with innovation: expanding product portfolio  

Covestro remains customer centric, perpetually broadening its product portfolio to meet the industry’s stringent requirements for carbon reduction, emissions reduction, and heightened quality and efficiency. The latest additions comprise:

·       The Desmodur^® N 31500 hardener, innovatively developed in China, is designed for metal coatings in railway transportation. It meets industry needs for low-carbon emission and high-efficiency coating processes. It is suitable for two-component non-baking high-solids coating systems, enabling fast drying and DTM (direct to metal) processes. In a single rolling stock workshop, this system potentially saves about 25 percent of energy for 1,000 carriages annually, reducing CO₂ emissions by approximately 24,000 tons. Additionally, Desmodur^® N 31500 can enhance production efficiency and workplace hygiene in automated coating and sanding processes.

·       Desmodur^® ultra E 30800, a solvent-free polyisocyanate crosslinker based on HDI, is specifically designed for the Pasquick^® coating system. It has diverse applications in flooring, grout, anti-corrosion coatings, and beyond. With low monomer content, it prioritizes industrial hygiene and safety. Its low viscosity removes the need for solvent dilution during use, striking a balance between extended pot life and fast drying. Additionally, it provides excellent water resistance and durability while maintaining a balance between rigidity and flexibility.

·       The upgraded waterborne acrylic emulsion, NeoCryl^® XK 824, is locally developed to address challenges posed by adverse weather and environmental conditions in industrial coating applications. This upgraded product excels in early water resistance, crucial for safeguarding against potential damage in humid environments during the coating and curing process, ensuring the surface integrity of workpieces. With its high solid content, NeoCryl^® XK 824 enables the rapid stacking of workpieces after coating, significantly enhancing production efficiency. Furthermore, its remarkable salt spray resistance enhances the performance of industrial light anticorrosive coatings, making it suitable for use as primers, topcoats, and mono-coat systems on metal substrates.

·       Driven by sustainable development trends in the packaging industry, paper-based packaging materials are widely used. Covestro’s new waterborne acrylic emulsion, NeoCryl^® A 2085, is specially developed for barrier coating of food-contact-grade paper packaging. This product provides excellent water and grease resistance, effectively preserving the taste and quality of packaged foods. This innovative technology serves as a sustainable alternative to traditional polyethylene (PE) laminating films. Packaging featuring NeoCryl^® A 2085 is a responsible option, aligning with regulations to ensure consumer health and safety by avoiding the use of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Additionally, NeoCryl^® A 2085 contributes to promoting paper recycling and reuse, as demonstrated by repulping test results exceeding 90 percent.

·       In the pursuit of a circular economy, alternative raw materials play a crucial role. Covestro introduces Decovery^® CQ 6010, a partially bio-based waterborne acrylic emulsion with 37 percent bio-based content. Its barrier performance is comparable to traditional fossil-based products when used for barrier coating. This coating ensures food freshness with a low moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR). Decovery^® CQ 6010 serves as a viable alternative to multi-layer paper-based food and non-food packaging materials produced through polyethylene (PE) lamination coating processes. Test results, including a repulping test exceeding 90 percent, align with the commitment to recycling and reusing paper-based food packaging.

Cultivating service capabilities

Covestro has been actively expanding its product portfolios to meet evolving development needs across various industries. Concurrently, the company has been enhancing its service capabilities to effectively cater to the diverse demands within specific sectors. In collaboration with Du Huanzheng, a professor from Tongji University and FoodTalks, an industry portal, Covestro has co-authored a comprehensive white paper titled “Sustainable Packaging Innovation Trends: How Food and Beverage Companies Achieve ‘Comprehensive Recycling’.”  This publication delves into strategies for guiding packaging technology towards recyclable and sustainable pathways, covering a range of topics—from the recycling of paper-based materials to monomaterial flexible packaging and the utilization of bio-based inks and adhesives.