Covestro’s high-performance polyurethane composites help circular economy

With its advantages of high strength, light weight and high production efficiency, polyurethane composite materials can not only meet the performance requirements of many industrial applications, but also improve the service life of products, reduce carbon emissions and waste generation, and contribute to sustainable development and circular economy . As the inventor of polyurethane, material manufacturer Covestro has been committed to promoting the innovation and development of polyurethane composite material applications.

During the 2023 Shenzhen International Composites Industry Technology Exhibition, which will be held from March 23 to 25, Covestro will present its series of polyurethane composite application solutions jointly developed with partners at booth 1201, Hall 2, Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center. The scheme includes pultrusion profiles applied to window frames and photovoltaic frames, fan blades, upper shells of new energy battery packs, power distribution poles and building facade heat insulation brackets. These products involve composite material production processes such as pultrusion, high pressure resin transfer molding (HP-RTM), vacuum infusion and filament winding. The main exhibits include:

Baiduo® polyurethane pultruded window frame has excellent thermal insulation performance and good mechanical properties, which can reduce building energy consumption. The profile is made of glass-fiber reinforced polyurethane composite material and is finished with a water-based polyurethane coating. Compared with traditional aluminum alloy or PVC door and window profiles, it has better thermal insulation performance, so it has lower carbon emissions and is more environmentally friendly.

The base material of Baiduo® polyurethane pultrusion photovoltaic frame is polyurethane pultrusion composite material and coated with water-based polyurethane coating. It has good corrosion resistance, especially suitable for areas with high humidity and high salt spray, and its mechanical properties are also excellent. As a non-metallic frame, BYDO® polyurethane pultruded photovoltaic frame does not need to be grounded, and it also helps to improve the power generation efficiency of solar panels. Regardless of whether it is applied to a photovoltaic power station or a photovoltaic building-integrated system, the comprehensive cost of this innovative solution is better than that of an aluminum alloy frame. Bydo® HP-RTM process polyurethane composite battery pack upper shell is an important application of polyurethane in the field of new energy vehicles. The polyurethane composite material is light in weight, and the thickness of the shell can be as low as 0.8 mm. It reduces the total greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the weight of the power battery, and has good flame retardancy. In addition, the HP-RTM process adopts the “one-to-two” design of one glue injection machine and two presses, which can significantly improve production efficiency and reduce production costs.

In addition, distribution poles and communication poles made of Baiduo® and Desmocomp® polyurethane materials can meet the requirements of different regions, environments or terrains. Compared with traditional concrete poles, the solution is only one-eighth the weight of concrete poles, can be transported and installed more efficiently even in complex terrain areas, and can significantly reduce carbon dioxide generated during manufacturing and transportation emission. In addition, its unique design structure can withstand the test of extreme conditions such as typhoon, thunderstorm and corrosive environment, and its service life can be as long as more than 40 years, so the maintenance cost of the whole life cycle will be significantly reduced.

Covestro can also provide specifications with alternative raw materials for various polyurethane solutions, such as low-carbon footprint polyurethanes certified by ISCCPLUS mass balance and some bio-based raw materials, helping downstream companies transition to a circular economy.