Covestro Unveils “The Material Effect” at K 2025: Delivering Sustainable Solutions Through High‑Performance Polymers
This the world’s leading trade fair for Material Effect plastics and rubber in Düsseldorf—Covestro will present a compelling showcase of advanced material solutions under the theme “The Material Effect.” Through more than 20 innovation stories, Covestro aims to demonstrate how thoughtfully engineered, high-performance materials can address critical challenges in sustainability, mobility, healthcare, electronics, construction, and sports & leisure.
K 2025 comes at a time when the chemical industry faces overlapping global crises—Material Effect including supply chain disruptions, geopolitical instability, and the mounting urgency of climate change. Yet, Covestro’s CEO Markus Steilemann notes, “The future will be ever greener and smarter.” Covestro’s mission is clear: to pioneer recyclable, climate-neutral plastics that empower industries ranging from e-mobility and autonomous driving to innovative building technologies and digital systems Material Effect.
The Material Effect: Bringing Vision to Reality
At booth A75 in Hall 6, Covestro will immerse visitors in its core concept: “The Material Effect.” This guiding principle emphasizes the Material Effect unique synergy between high-performance polymers, process engineering, and application expertise. By combining materials science with scalable manufacturing processes, Covestro helps customers turn prototypes into sustainable, circular products.
Five Key Innovation Areas
Within Covestro’s exhibition, five thematic zones—Sustainable Future, Automotive, Electronics, Healthcare, and Sports & Leisure—will feature inventive examples and technological breakthroughs.
1. Sustainable Future
Material Effect Covestro will spotlight its drive toward circularity, with materials and processes that substitute fossil feedstocks and prioritize recycling.
- Circular‑Intelligent (CQ) Portfolio:
- Products marked “CQ” contain at least 25% alternative raw materials.
- Polycarbonate Labels:
- RE – Renewable-based materials made with green energy.
- RP – Chemically recycled post-consumer feedstock.
- R – Mechanically recycled content within formulations.
These systems reflect Covestro’s strategy to transition away from fossil feedstocks in favor of recyclable and renewable alternatives.
2. Automotive Mobility
Covestro will feature cutting-edge vehicle developments, including a highlight exhibit:
- SUE “People Mover” Concept Shuttle
Created by UE | STUDIOS, this autonomous e-shuttle features:- Full polycarbonate glazing and LIDAR sensor covers.
- A robust mono-material architecture using Arfinio® and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
- Lightweight, durable, and fully recyclable construction—the model embodies sustainable urban mobility through smart materials.
3. Electronics & Digitalization
- IMAGIO® Digital Sampling Tool:
A digital twin system that allows designers to visualize materials and surfaces realistically without physical samples. IMAGIO® accelerates product development cycles, reduces waste, and integrates virtual prototyping into early-stage engineering and design.
4. Healthcare
Covestro will display medical-grade polymer applications, emphasizing materials aligned with hygiene, biocompatibility, sterilization compatibility, and circular innovation, setting new standards in medical device design and manufacturing.
5. Sports & Leisure
In this zone, attention will be paid to lightweight and durable polymer composites tailored for sports equipment—demonstrating how materials engineering boosts performance while reducing environmental impact.
Leadership Reflections at K Pre‑Press Conference
At the annual pre-press event, Covestro CEO Markus Steilemann remarked:
“The world seems to have gone off track, and the chemical industry is feeling the full force of the current multiple crises. At the same time, the future will be ever greener and smarter. At Covestro, we are paving the way for that for many sectors with our recyclable, climate‑neutral high‑performance plastics—whether in e-mobility and autonomous driving, efficient buildings, or digitalization. We are excited to showcase the diverse and beneficial effects of our materials for our customers and partners at this year’s K trade fair.”
Jochen Hardt, Vice President Global Marketing Mobility and project lead for K 2025, reinforced the message, stating:
“‘The Material Effect’ combines best-in-class materials with process and innovation expertise, enabling the leap from laboratory to industry. It is precisely this unique combination of material science, process- and application development that makes the decisive difference. ‘The Material Effect’ enables our customers and partners to achieve more—in terms of sustainability, circularity, and performance of their products.”
Covestro’s Commitment to Circularity and Climate Goals
Covestro’s corporate strategy is anchored in achieving full circularity. Key pillars include:
- Alternative Raw Materials
Covestro is diminishing its use of fossil resources by sourcing biomaterials and chemically recycled feedstocks, notably in polyurethane, polycarbonate, and elastomer systems. - Renewables in Energy Supply
Through eleven power purchase agreements (PPAs), Covestro now sources approximately 16% of its global electricity from renewable sources. It targets climate neutrality (Scope 1 and 2) by 2035, and full value chain (Scope 1–3) neutrality by 2050. - Advanced Recycling Technologies
The company is actively piloting chemical recycling processes for polyurethanes and polycarbonates, alongside mechanical recycling methods, to close the loop on resource usage. - Circular‑Intelligent (CQ) Portfolio
Products bearing the CQ label are now integral to Covestro’s offering:- At least 25% alternative raw materials.
- Specific polycarbonate designations—RE, RP, and R—signal renewable, recycled, or mechanically recycled content, respectively.
This approach underscores Covestro’s roadmap from linear resource use toward a regenerative, circular model.
Meeting the Moment: Why K 2025 Matters
The plastics and rubber industries are undergoing a profound transformation. Sustainability mandates, consumer preferences, and legislative frameworks (e.g., EU directives on recyclability and carbon footprints) are pushing material innovation forward. Digitalization and smart services—like IMAGIO®—are also accelerating materials development while reducing time-to-market and resource demands.
K 2025 offers Covestro an influential platform to demonstrate how cutting-edge materials can underlie progress toward:
- Climate resilience through lightweight, high-efficiency design in mobility and construction.
- Waste reduction via recyclable and renewable materials, replacing single-use or petroleum-based solutions.
- Healthcare innovation built on high-performance polymers designed to meet stringent standards of safety, sterility, and recyclability.
- Consumer advancement in personal electronics, sports gear, and protective equipment that leverages enhanced materials for user value.
What Visitors Can Expect at Booth A75
Attendees visiting Covestro’s hall in Düsseldorf will experience:
- A main showcase of “The Material Effect” in action—highlighting how scientific innovation meets real-world application.
- A display of while polycarbonate SUE shuttle, emphasizing lightweight, sustainable design.
- Digital demonstrations of IMAGIO® for virtual product sampling.
- Material samples across automotive, electronics, medical, construction, and sports sectors—many labeled with CQ, RE, RP, and R designations.
- Engaging exhibits that walk visitors through Covestro’s broader climate strategy, demonstrating how alternative raw materials, PPAs, and recycling technologies are integrated.
Across more than 20 “innovation stories”—ranging from advanced coatings and adhesives to impact-resistant elastomers and biomaterials—Covestro will showcase how passion for sustainable material performance has evolved into global-scale solutions.
After K 2025
Covestro’s presence at K 2025 isn’t just about showcasing products—it’s about signaling a vision: sustainable, circular chemistry enabled by smart materials and processes. The trade fair will set the tone for Covestro’s commercial rollout of carbon-neutral plastics, expanded recycling capabilities, and novel high-performance applications in sectors demanding both resilience and resource efficiency.
With planned launches of more CQ-labelled products, continued investment in renewable energy, and pilot recycling operations rolling out in 2025 and beyond, Covestro is aiming to mainstream sustainable plastics into everyday industries—from building and mobility to health and consumer electronics.
