International. Covestro reported on the investment of a double-digit sum of millions of euros and begins commercial production of a novel lightweight, high-strength and aesthetically powerful material.
To take advantage of this market potential, Covestro has significantly expanded its production capacity and developed the Franconian town of Markt Bibart into a location for high-tech materials. It is located in the vicinity of renowned universities that carry out intensive research in the further development of composite materials. Covestro now employs 50 people at Markt Bibart, and further expansion is planned. Overall, the company has invested a double-digit sum of millions of euros.
The demand for strong and lightweight materials is growing all over the world. Composite materials (composites) made of fiber-reinforced thermoplastics play an important role. They contribute to climate protection and resource conservation by reducing energy consumption and offering powerful opportunities for sustainability. "Covestro develops materials solutions and technologies for the major challenges facing humanity, such as climate protection, population growth, urbanization and increased mobility. Composite materials play an increasingly important role in this," CEO Patrick Thomas told reporters.
Patrick Thomas added: "The driving force behind all these developments is sustainability: we want to benefit society and improve people's quality of life, but minimise the impact on the environment. We have also developed a polyurethane resin that, in combination with reinforcing glass fibers and a special manufacturing process, allows the cost-effective production of rotor blades for wind turbines, in this way, we promote further expansion of renewable energies."
"Our polycarbonates have already proven their effectiveness in many applications that require strength, low weight and beauty, and have replaced conventional materials such as metal and glass," said Michelle Jou, who heads covestro's global polycarbonate business in Shanghai. "They can be found in applications like laptop housings, car interiors, panoramic headlights and roofs, and medical devices, just to name a few."
Increasing demands
"However, the electronics industry and other industries want even stronger, lighter materials that can be used to produce thinner parts and integrated functionality," explained Michelle Jou. "In addition, there is a desire for more efficient production. With our new high-tech material, we are closing this gap."
The composite material of the future is based on continuous carbon or glass fibers impregnated with polycarbonate, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or other thermoplastic resins. From this, Covestro produces unidirectional reinforced tapes and sheets for further processing by customers. These products can be tuned into infinite combinations, giving designers new creative opportunities. Another special feature of CFRTPs is that they feel and sound like metal, but offer the design freedom of plastics.
