Covestro begins delivery of first CO2-based raw materials

Leverkusen, Germany – Materials supplier Covestro has begun delivery of its CO2-based raw materials, from its Dormagen site near Cologne, Germany, the company has announced.

Covestro said on 13 Dec that it had officially started production of a key component for foams used in mattresses and upholstered furniture at the plant using the climate gas.

The CO2 serves as a new raw material, replacing a portion of the petroleum on which the precursor is usually based.

“The first shipment of our new flexible foam component made with CO2 is on its way to the customer,” said project manager Karsten Malsch.

Covestro said it is now working on increasing the CO2 content in the ‘polyol’ produced at Dromagen from the current 20% to 40% levels achieved in the lab.

The company is also working on using CO2 to manufacture other products besides flexible foam. Potential products that have already been tested in the lab include precursors for rigid foam and elastomers.

Covestro has said that it is willing to license the technology.

“This would conserve limited petroleum resources throughout the industry while reducing refining, which is energy and emissions intensive,” it said.