Covestro is strengthening its innovation footprint in the Asia Pacific region with the launch of a range of locally developed coatings solutions and the introduction of an automated laboratory system at its Asia-Pacific Innovation Center in Shanghai. These initiatives underline Covestro’s dedication to delivering high-performance, sustainable materials that meet the evolving demands of fast-growing industries.

High-Performance Coatings for Regional Markets

The new coatings portfolio is designed to meet critical applications across mobility, home & living, infrastructure, renewable energy, and printing & packaging sectors. By focusing on local market requirements, Covestro demonstrates its deep understanding of customer needs and its ability to transform insights into practical, high-performance materials.

• Mobility: Bayhydrol® A 2670, tailored for China’s railway industry, facilitates the transition from solvent-based to waterborne coatings. This topcoat solution ensures superior weathering and chemical resistance, helping rolling stock endure high-speed sand erosion and variable climates while maintaining a glossy, high-quality finish. Its fast-drying and easy-to-apply properties also support automotive refinish markets across South Asia.
• Home & Living: NeoCryl® XK-228, a locally developed waterborne low-hydroxy acrylic emulsion, enhances color stability, hardness, chemical resistance, and quick delivery for industrial wood coatings, floor paints, and wall applications. Its low minimum film formation temperature reduces VOC emissions and coalescent use, offering formulation flexibility and improved sustainability.
• Infrastructure: Bayhydrol® UH 2896 and UH 2897, developed with proprietary synthesis technology, provide high-performance polyurethane dispersions for China’s waterproofing market. Suitable for outdoor roofing, indoor bathrooms, and other construction applications, they offer excellent water resistance, long-term durability, low-temperature flexibility, and enhanced formulation adaptability.
• Renewable Energy: Desmodur® ultra N 31890 BA is a fast-curing hardener designed for photovoltaic production. With drying speeds nearly three times faster than conventional hardeners and excellent UV and hygrothermal resistance, it improves production efficiency and ensures reliable, long-lasting performance for solar panels.
• Printing & Packaging: NeoCryl® A, a waterborne acrylic emulsion, meets growing sustainability and food safety demands in Asia. Designed for barrier coatings on food-grade paper packaging, it provides water and grease resistance while supporting recycling and avoiding harmful PFAS, making it a safe, eco-friendly alternative to traditional polyethylene films.

Investing in Lab Automation for Smarter R&D

Covestro’s Weighing & Mixing Workstation marks a significant step toward lab automation and AI-driven innovation. This automated system precisely handles material weighing and mixing, records data securely to the cloud, and allows continuous operation, freeing R&D teams from repetitive tasks. The system enhances workflow efficiency, shortens time-to-market, reduces raw material waste, and lays the foundation for AI-powered insights in materials development.

Anand Khot, Head of Coatings and Adhesives Asia Pacific, said: “With the new workstation, we are building the infrastructure to enable AI systems to uncover new material insights and accelerate breakthrough discoveries. Coupled with our locally developed coatings, these investments demonstrate Covestro’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and meeting the evolving needs of customers across Asia Pacific.”