Partnerships: Covestro/GAC join forces to pioneer material solutions for flying cars; PTGC/Allnex explore carbon-based polymer systems with Econic

Materials manufacturer Covestro has formed a partnership with China's GOVY Technology Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Guangzhou Automobile Group Co (GAC), to jointly drive innovation in materials for flying cars, more specifically in ‘electric vertical takeoff and landing’ (eVTOL) aircraft. This collaboration aims to accelerate the commercialisation of material solutions that enable more efficient and sustainable urban air mobility.

Covestro is one of eight companies, including partners from the fields of AI, information technology for low-altitude aviation and carbon fibre composite materials, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with GOVY, a newly established subsidiary of GAC dedicated to the development of eVTOL aircraft.

China is making significant strides in the development of eVTOL aircraft, leveraging its advancements in battery technology to integrate these innovations into urban transportation systems. This strategic focus is driven by the potential of eVTOL vehicles to alleviate urban congestion, reduce pollution, and enhance connectivity, aligning with consumer desires for efficient transportation and the government’s goals for technological innovation and sustainable urban development. These vehicles are designed for short-distance urban travel, with current models offering ranges suitable for inter-city commutes.

Under the agreement, Covestro and GOVY will collaborate on several priority areas. Key initiatives will include developing innovative polycarbonate glazing solutions to reduce vehicle weight while maintaining high performance and safety standards, and exploring materials for smart and efficient lighting systems tailored to the unique requirements of eVTOL aircraft.

The collaboration will also address high-performance materials that enable seamless integration of smart systems and components. A strong emphasis will be placed on low-carbon solutions, utilising materials with attributed bio-circular content and recycled feedstocks to reduce emissions across the vehicles’ lifecycle.

At the signing ceremony, a demo flying car was unveiled, featuring an impressive range of 200 km in just 40 minutes. This prototype showcases a hybrid design that integrates both fixed-wing and rotary-wing capabilities, combining the efficiency of conventional airplane-like forward flight with the vertical takeoff and landing versatility of helicopters. Pre-order of such models will begin in 2025, heralding a new era in personal and urban transportation.

“Our collaboration with GAC represents a significant step forward in transforming urban air mobility. By leveraging Covestro’s expertise in sustainable and innovative materials, and GAC’s visionary leadership in flying car development, we are poised to create solutions that redefine the possibilities of urban transport,” said Lily Wang, President of the Engineering Plastics Business Entity at Covestro.

“We are committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation and bringing the future of mobility closer to reality,” said Su Qingpeng, General Manager of GOVY. Partnering with Covestro and other industry leaders allows us to accelerate the development of our flying cars, creating safe, more sustainable, and groundbreaking transportation solutions for urban environments.”

In other news, manufacturer of industrial coating resins and additives Allnex and its parent company, PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (GC), Thailand’s largest integrated petrochemical and refining business, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Econic Technologies.

This MOU outlines a collaborative effort among the three companies to explore business and research opportunities focused on advancing polymer systems and processes for coatings derived from captured carbon.

By incorporating Econic’s innovative technologies, Allnex and GC aim to reduce the environmental footprint of their operations while developing eco-friendly polymer products for the coatings industry.

Econic’s carbon-capture technology can reduce the carbon footprint of select products by 30% or more, with added benefits for coatings, such as improved durability, enhanced corrosion resistance, and refined aesthetic properties.

“GC is committed to fostering sustainability and innovation in our business portfolio,” stated Dr. Kamel Ramdani, Executive Vice President - Innovation, GC. “We look forward to working with Econic to develop advanced, eco-friendly systems to serve our customers and support GC’s sustainability goals. This initiative is aligned with our strategy of investing in emerging technologies and leveraging our corporate venture capital (CVC) arm to support impactful startups. We look forward to contributing our expertise and business networks to bring these solutions to market.”

This collaborative MOU reflects Allnex’s dedication to leading sustainable advancements in the coatings industry, aligning with its commitment to reducing environmental impact through innovation.

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