Covestro launches new coatings solutions and lab automation in Asia Pacific

Covestro is advancing innovation in Asia Pacific with the launch of multiple locally developed coatings products across industries and the introduction of the Weighing & Mixing Workstation—an automated laboratory system—at its Asia-Pacific Innovation Center in Shanghai. These initiatives demonstrate the company’s commitment to advancing technology with speed, precision and sustainability, addressing the region’s fast-growing markets and diverse industry needs.

The new coatings portfolio targets critical applications in mobility, home & living, infrastructure, renewable energy and printing & packaging. Designed for local markets, these products reflect Covestro’s deep understanding of customer needs and its ability to translate insights into practical, high-performance materials.

• Mobility: Bayhydrol® A 2670, developed locally for China’s railway sector, supports the shift from solvent-borne to waterborne coating systems. This topcoat solution delivers superior weathering and chemical resistance, helping rolling stock withstand high-speed sand erosion and climate variability while maintaining excellent appearance such as high gloss. Fast drying and easy application enhance manufacturer productivity. The solution also fits particularly well in South Asia’s substantial automotive refinish market, which is similarly transitioning to waterborne systems.
• Home & living: NeoCryl® XK-228, a locally developed waterborne low-hydroxy acrylic emulsion, addresses market needs for color stability, hardness, fast delivery and chemical resistance in industrial wood coatings, floor coatings and wall paints. Its innovative design reduces the minimum film formation temperature to below 10°C, significantly lowering the need for coalescents and VOC emissions while enhancing formulation flexibility.
• Infrastructure: Bayhydrol® UH 2896 and Bayhydrol® UH 2897, developed with proprietary synthesis technology for China’s waterproofing market, serve as standalone resins in 1K waterborne coatings or blending resins to enhance performance. Suitable for construction applications including outdoor roofing and indoor bathrooms, the polyurethane dispersions deliver superior water resistance, long-term durability, low-temperature flexibility and excellent processing performance while providing formulation flexibility for differentiated products.
• Renewable energy: To reduce costs and boost efficiency in photovoltaics, locally developed hardener Desmodur® ultra N 31890 BA features rapid drying speed nearly three times faster than standard hardeners under high temperature bake, substantially boosting production efficiency. Its excellent UV resistance supports over 25 years of service life, while robust hygrothermal aging resistance ensures stable performance across environments. Strong substrate adhesion provides flexibility for diverse applications.
• Printing & packaging: Driven by sustainability trends and growing safety and health concerns—especially among younger generations in leading Asian markets—NeoCryl® A is a new waterborne acrylic emulsion developed for barrier coating of food-contact-grade paper packaging. It delivers excellent water and grease resistance while serving as a sustainable alternative to traditional polyethylene laminating films. The solution supports recycling, with tested pulp recyclability exceeding 90 percent, and safeguards consumer health by avoiding PFAS.

Lab automation: Investing in the future

The Weighing & Mixing Workstation represents a strategic investment in R&D efficiency and will soon begin operation. This automated system handles material weighing and mixing during experiments while securely recording data to the cloud. Capable of continuous operation, it automates repetitive tasks and streamlines workflows, enabling R&D teams to focus on high-value innovation, respond faster to customized market needs and shorten time-to-market, while also reducing raw material waste. Its precision and digital data capture also lay the groundwork for AI-driven insights in materials development.

“With the new workstation we’re building the infrastructure that will enable AI systems to unlock new material insights and accelerate breakthrough discoveries. Together with these locally developed products, we’re making continual investment in innovation which will keep us ahead of market demand and drive customers’ success,” said Anand Khot, Head of Coatings and Adhesives Asia Pacific, Covestro.