Covestro launches more sustainable polyether polyols based on bio-recycled feedstocks

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● Together with isocyanates, both important components of polyurethane foam are now available on the basis of alternative raw materials

● Reduced carbon footprint compared to using fossil-based feedstocks

● same high quality as fossil products

● Can be used directly in existing processes without conversion

● Maasvlakte and Dormagen factories are ISCC PLUS certified

Covestro now also offers polyether polyols using bio-recycled raw materials. Together with renewable toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and climate neutral methylene diphenyl diisocyanate
(MDI), the company can supply these two key raw material components for the production of polyurethane (PU) foams based on alternative raw materials. Like TDI and MDI, this polyether polyol is produced with the help of a mass balance method using renewable raw materials (from biological waste and residual materials), which are allocated to the product by calculation.

Polyurethane rigid foams using MDI provide very effective thermal insulation for buildings and refrigeration equipment. Using TDI’s flexible polyurethane foam provides great comfort for mattresses and upholstered furniture, car seats and shoes. With these polyols, Covestro is now able to offer selective prepolymers for various adhesive applications. The introduction of mass balance methods to gradually replace fossil feedstocks with biorecycling alternatives further increases the sustainability of these applications.

Covestro produces polyether polyols at its Dormagen plant in Germany, using mass-balanced feedstock propylene oxide from a shared site with LyondellBasell in Maasvlakte. As part of the joint venture, the two partners produce propylene oxide and styrene monomers there.
Both factories are certified to the internationally recognized ISCC PLUS standard.

Sucheta, Chief Commercial Officer of Covestro
Govil said: “With the introduction of polyurethane key ingredients based on alternative raw materials, we have reached another important milestone on our path to climate neutrality. We can now help customers across industries meet their climate goals and drive towards circularity economic transition. At the same time, we are reducing CO2 emissions across various value chains.”

Customers can use the more sustainable polyether polyols and isocyanates as direct-to-use solutions, which means that the raw materials can be quickly and easily integrated into existing production processes without the need for technical modifications. These products offer the same good quality as their fossil-based counterparts and meet the needs of various industries for alternative raw materials. They can be easily distinguished from fossil products by the CQ suffix in the product name. CQ stands for circular intelligence and showcases Covestro’s products and initiatives around circularity.