Covestro is set to begin construction on a new Thermoplastic Polyurethanes (TPU) Application Development (AD) Center in Guangzhou, South China. This marks the company’s second significant TPU investment in a short period, following the announcement and commencement of its largest TPU plant in Zhuhai last year. The new AD center aims to bring Covestro closer to its customers by integrating technical expertise with innovative solutions, focusing on key applications such as paint protection films (PPF), specialty cables, consumer electronics, footwear, and various extrusion and injection molding uses.

Construction for the Guangzhou facility will begin in late 2024, with operations expected to start in 2025. The center will feature advanced equipment to meet complex market demands while leveraging local resources and networks to streamline talent and administrative management. Dr. Andrea Maier-Richter, Executive Vice President and Global Head of TPU at Covestro, emphasized the strategic importance of the new center, stating that it will help the company and its customers tap into the growing Asia-Pacific market, particularly in China. She also highlighted that this investment, combined with the ongoing development of the Zhuhai plant, demonstrates Covestro’s commitment to growth and innovation in TPU solutions.

Alongside the existing regional R&D center in Changhua, the Zhuhai plant, and the upcoming AD center in Guangzhou, Covestro is poised to create strong regional synergies, enhancing its ability to drive innovation and meet customer needs. Kevin Ho, Head of Sales & Market Development for TPU in APAC, emphasized that the Guangzhou center will engage with key TPU industry clusters, particularly in consumer electronics and specialty extrusion applications. He noted that Covestro’s enhanced AD capacities will enable the company to respond quickly to market changes and better meet customer demands with agility and a customer-centric approach.

Covestro remains dedicated to sustainability and circularity in its operations. Its Desmopan® CQ TPU portfolio, which uses alternative raw materials such as waste or biomass feedstocks via mass balancing, exemplifies this commitment. The company also aims to achieve full circularity and operational climate neutrality by 2035, with a goal to use only renewable energy for its operations. This sustainability focus is further reflected in the company’s investments in new TPU properties, driving continued development in eco-friendly solutions.

Covestro is a global leader in producing high-quality polymer materials and their components. Through its innovative products, processes, and technologies, the company contributes to improving sustainability and enhancing quality of life across various sectors. Covestro serves customers worldwide in key industries, including mobility, construction, and electronics. Its polymers are also widely used in sports and leisure, telecommunications, healthcare, and even within the chemical industry itself.