From sustainable growth to circular breakthroughs
At Covestro, our goal is to embed circular economic principles and to be a pioneer for the coating and adhesives industry. This means we increasingly set ourselves some of the toughest sustainability goals in our industry, not only because we have to, but also because we want to.
Challenge: going all out for circularity
On a planet of finite resources, the “take-make-waste” principle of the linear economy has to come to an end. This is why we are dedicated to opening new ways into tomorrow’s circular economy through diverse measures and collaborations along the value chain: by using alternative raw materials in our own production, by embracing the use of greener energy, and by developing materials that can be recycled more easily.
Reaching full circularity, however, is especially challenging when it comes to coatings, inks, and adhesives. For decades, high-performance paints and coatings were almost always solventborne, with a carbon base coming exclusively from fossil resources. And once applied, the materials themselves cannot usually be recycled. This makes it even more important to lower their ecological impact as far as possible, and to turn them into enablers for new, highly sustainable technologies.
Status: From more renewable materials to recycling
Materials that keep up performance and minimize carbon footprints
Breakthrough material innovations have proven that there is a path beyond fossil-based coatings. A first step was the introduction of waterborne paints, using water as a solvent instead of oil. Following this, we were able to replace considerable parts of the fossil carbon content with carbon sourced from biomass, or by replacing them with plant-based materials without making compromises in terms of functionality or aesthetic appeal.
Today, we’re proud to have developed a portfolio of solutions that support circularity and climate neutrality – illuminating a smarter path forward for our industry. Containing at least 25% non-fossil raw materials, Covestro CQ (“circular intelligence”) solutions contribute to a circular economy. Across the automotive, furniture, and other industries, these products are already supporting our customers in their quest for more sustainable solutions.
Plus, we go one step further by offering mass-balanced-certified solutions for selected products. Mass balancing is a chain-of-custody approach that lets you attribute alternative raw materials to offer more sustainable solutions, while continuing to work with your existing infrastructure and assets. In this way, it can help you start reducing your carbon footprint without making technical modifications – a key step toward a more sustainable coatings and adhesives industry.
Giving coatings a second life
And our efforts don’t stop at the end of a coating’s lifetime. We’re also aiming to make recycling a cornerstone of a circular future for coatings and adhesives, starting with the printing and packaging industry. That’s why we’re working to develop new technologies and innovations that can promote both mechanical and chemical recycling. Resin barrier coatings for paper are just one example of how we are boosting product recyclability and helping our partners find their place in the circular economy.
Next: Ambitious goals to meet
We have set our sights high for the future: net-zero emissions from our own production and purchased energy by 2035; more alternative raw materials and more renewable energies in the long term. Working with our partners, we’re aiming to make our entire portfolio available in climate-neutral versions. Along the way, we will leverage all our R&D capabilities to establish and further develop circularity – helping to close the loop in the coatings and adhesives industry.
