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Covestro adds to its portfolio of bio-based products - Bio-based News -
Covestro is introducing a new, partially bio-based polycarbonate film derived from plant biomass, with a carbon content of more than 50 percent. Picture source: Covestro
Covestro is introducing a new polycarbonate film with more than 50 percent of its carbon content sourced from plant-based biomass. Makrofol® EC is the first partially bio-based film in the company’s product portfolio. Compared with a standard film made from petrochemicals, a portion of the oil-based primary products used up to now has been replaced by plant-based raw materials. As a result, the film’s CO2 footprint is reduced considerably.
“More and more customers are supporting sustainable products,” says Dr. Wieland Hovestadt, head of Research and Development in the Specialty Films division. “This is why research on bio-based products is an important priority for us.” The increased use of alternative resources for in-house production is part of a long-term strategic program that Covestro is implementing as it fully commits to the circular economy.
Makrofol® EC has properties that are comparable in quality to standard polycarbonate films of the Makrofol® range. It also features improved chemical and weather resistance as well as increased abrasion resistance. The film is suitable for further processing in standard processes. For instance, it can be easily printed on, laminated, coated and can be formed by thermoforming or high pressure forming (HPF) processes. It can be used in applications in the electrical, consumer and automotive industries, as is typical for conventional polycarbonate films.
About CovestroWith sales of EUR 12.4 billion in 2019, Covestro is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main industries served are the automotive, construction, wood processing and furniture, and electrical and electronics industries. Other sectors include sports and leisure, cosmetics, health and the chemical industry itself. Covestro has 30 production sites worldwide and employs approximately 17,200 people (calculated as full-time equivalents) as of the end of 2019.
Source: Covestro, press release, 2020-06-04.
Covestro is introducing a new polycarbonate film with more than 50 percent of its carbon content sourced from plant-based biomass. Makrofol® EC is the first partially bio-based film in the company’s product portfolio. Compared with a standard film made from petrochemicals, a portion of the oil-based primary products used up to now has been replaced by plant-based raw materials. As a result, the film’s CO2 footprint is reduced considerably.
“More and more customers are supporting sustainable products,” says Dr. Wieland Hovestadt, head of Research and Development in the Specialty Films division. “This is why research on bio-based products is an important priority for us.” The increased use of alternative resources for in-house production is part of a long-term strategic program that Covestro is implementing as it fully commits to the circular economy.
Makrofol® EC has properties that are comparable in quality to standard polycarbonate films of the Makrofol® range. It also features improved chemical and weather resistance as well as increased abrasion resistance. The film is suitable for further processing in standard processes. For instance, it can be easily printed on, laminated, coated and can be formed by thermoforming or high pressure forming (HPF) processes. It can be used in applications in the electrical, consumer and automotive industries, as is typical for conventional polycarbonate films.
About CovestroWith sales of EUR 12.4 billion in 2019, Covestro is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main industries served are the automotive, construction, wood processing and furniture, and electrical and electronics industries. Other sectors include sports and leisure, cosmetics, health and the chemical industry itself. Covestro has 30 production sites worldwide and employs approximately 17,200 people (calculated as full-time equivalents) as of the end of 2019.
Source: Covestro, press release, 2020-06-04.
This project has been co-funded with the support of the LIFE financial instrument of the European Union [LIFE17 ENV/ES/000438] Life programme
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