German materials manufacturer Covestro is showcasing material solutions for construction, mobility, robotics and renewable energy at the ongoing China International Import Expo, or CIIE, as it marks 25 years of manufacturing and innovation in Shanghai and prepares for further investment in China.
"The CIIE provides an important platform to engage with partners and explore new opportunities in China, a dynamic market that's shaping global trends in areas such as electric mobility, renewable energy and robotics," said Markus Steilemann, CEO of Covestro. "With our strong presence in the country, Covestro is committed to contributing to these developments while supporting the transition to a circular economy and creating long-term value for our customers and partners."
Covestro previously participated in the CIIE from 2021 to 2023. This year, the company is exhibiting at the event at ADNOC's booth. ADNOC, the Abu Dhabi-based energy group, holds a majority stake in Covestro through XRG, its international investment arm.
Among Covestro's exhibits is an exterior wall insulation board made with a special polyurethane formulation. Its ultra-low thermal conductivity provides insulation suitable for ultra-low-energy buildings. According to Covestro, the board delivers the same insulation performance with a layer that is 20 percent thinner than conventional polyurethane insulation, potentially increasing usable interior space and helping reduce the risk of exterior wall detachment. Fire tests showed that the material met the B1 flame-retardant rating. It produced no flaming droplets, and smoke density was low. It also meets Shanghai's requirements for exterior wall insulation.
Deeply rooted in China
Covestro's participation in this year's CIIE comes as the company marks 25 years of manufacturing and innovation in Shanghai. On Nov 2, 2001, the company broke ground on an integrated production site on the outskirts of Shanghai and launched the Polymer Research and Development Center in the city. The site has since become Covestro's largest integrated production site, while the center has developed into the Covestro Asia-Pacific Innovation Center, supporting innovation for customers in China and other markets.
Together, the production site and innovation center have become central to Covestro's operations in China, supporting customers and industries through a local-for-local strategy.
The company is also preparing to expand its production capacity in Shanghai. In June, Covestro announced plans for a new MDI production train with an annual capacity of 660,000 metric tons at its Shanghai integrated site, aimed at strengthening long-term supply security for customers. Startup is targeted for the end of the decade. MDI is a key raw material for rigid polyurethane foams used in applications such as building insulation and refrigeration. According to Covestro, investments in MDI production facilities of this scale typically range from 1.5 billion to 2 billion euros ($1.67 billion to $2.22 billion).
"Coming back to the CIIE as we mark a quarter century of manufacturing and innovation in Shanghai is a powerful reminder of how deeply rooted Covestro is in China," said Holly Lei, senior vice-president of Covestro Group and president of Covestro China. "Building on this presence and working together with partners across the value chain, we will continue to support key industries and the green transformation in China and beyond, with circular economy solutions that deliver performance in practical applications."
Beyond showcasing its products, Covestro has also used the CIIE platform to deepen dialogue and strengthen partnerships across the value chain.
Strengthening relations
For example, Covestro reaffirmed its strategic cooperation with long-standing Chinese partner MEGA P&C Advanced Materials (Shanghai), a protective coatings manufacturer, to explore opportunities in sustainable, high-performance industrial coatings amid the energy transition.
Under a memorandum of understanding signed at this year's CIIE, the two companies agreed to continue joint innovation in coatings for wind and solar energy, explore collaboration in marine coatings to support greener shipping and lower-carbon transport, and advance circular-economy initiatives, including bio-based raw materials and greener logistics.
"Having worked with Covestro for more than a decade, we have developed a strong partnership built on shared commitments to sustainability. This has led to closer collaboration in coatings for new energy applications, while both companies have grown alongside China's evolving market," said Victor Law, vice-president of MEGA P&C.
Covestro and MEGA P&C aim to strengthen their partnership through joint innovation, accelerate the development of new raw materials and bring practical coating solutions to market more quickly.
China's leading position in clean-energy manufacturing offers significant opportunities for advanced coatings. Solar-panel frames need to withstand harsh weather and corrosion, while wind-turbine blades require durable protection against rain erosion, salt spray and humidity. Covestro's waterborne two-component polyurethane coating solutions are designed for demanding solar applications, while its advanced coating technologies provide wind-turbine blades with durable protection.
"Through this new strategic cooperation agreement, we will further strengthen our close partnership and develop innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of the coatings industry and support the transition toward a more sustainable, low-carbon future," said Anand Khot, global head of base and modified materials, business entity coatings and adhesives at Covestro.
The partners also plan to promote their solutions in overseas markets, supporting Chinese renewable-energy companies in their global expansion by combining China's strengths in renewable-energy manufacturing with Covestro's materials expertise and global presence, according to the MoU.
(Source: China Daily)