Green power for sustainable production

A truly Circular Economy demands a comprehensive approach to resource efficiency. One that not only addresses the use of raw materials, but also energy sources. Today, renewables like solar and wind energy are becoming increasingly viable alternatives to fossil fuels. Against this backdrop, Covestro strives to continually improve its production processes and energy supply.

Production in the chemical industry is traditionally energy intensive. At Covestro, this is an incentive to assume responsibility and minimize emissions coming from plants and processes. The transition to renewables is key to creating a Circular Economy and achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. The Covestro strategy ranges from investing in alternative energy to improving infrastructure to operate our manufacturing systems with as little environmental impact as possible. The company’s short-term goal is to cut its greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2025 compared to their 2005 levels.

Banking on renewables

Covestro aims to flip the switch to renewable energy at all production plants. And the first major step in Germany has already been taken. Covestro has signed the world's largest corporate contract for wind energy with power supplier Ørsted in 2019. Beginning 2025, the Danish company will cover a considerable portion of its electricity demand in Germany with wind power from the North Sea for ten years.

Making production energy efficient

To optimize manufacturing processes and improve efficiency, Covestro adopts the latest developments in technology and artificial intelligence. For example, the company relies on a self-developed energy management system (STRUCTese®) that can be used to optimize the production facilities' energy usage. Another example of technological breakthrough is an innovative electrolysis process (ODC) that reduces the amount of electricity needed to manufacture the basic chemical chlorine by 25 percent. This process will be deployed for the first time on an industrial scale at the Covestro site in Tarragona, Spain.

Transforming the energy system

Society is increasingly calling for industrial production to become more sustainable, and this demand is now yielding results at a political level, for example in the European Commission’s Green Deal project.
This transition to alternative energy needs to be accompanied by definite plans for infrastructure – from power generation to power grids to energy stores. Fundamental changes in industrial, commercial, and residential infrastructure are also needed. Successfully shifting to renewables requires determined political action, technological progress, and societal acceptance of climate-friendly measures. Covestro is committed to working with governments across the world to develop strategies that accelerate the transition to renewable resources.