Expansions: Covestro expands production capacity for polycarbonate films in Thailand, BASF starts up biobased polyols line in India

German materials firm Covestro says it plans to further increase its global production capacity for polycarbonate (PC) specialty films to meet the rising demand in the Asia-Pacific region and worldwide. The company has started building new extrusion lines at the Map Ta Phut Industrial Park in Thailand.

The films are used primarily in identity documents, automotive displays, and electrical and electronic applications. The investment is in the higher double-digit million euro range, the completion is scheduled for 2025. A total of around 50 new jobs will be created.

"With this investment, we are strengthening our Solutions & Specialties segment and are committed to further expanding our growth businesses," says Sucheta Govil, Chief Commercial Officer of Covestro. "At the same time, we are responding to an increasing demand and supporting the expansion of future technologies and industries."

"We want to drive growth in the polycarbonate films business with innovation and a strong customer focus," says Aleta Richards, Global Head of the Specialty Films segment. "In doing so, we aim to intensify our collaboration with customers in the Asia-Pacific region and expand our product portfolio for the circular economy."

Covestro says it already offers a whole range of more sustainable PC films, for example mass-balanced grades certified to the internationally recognised ISCC PLUS standard. Raw materials for these films are produced using biowaste and residual materials, which are taken into account in the value chain and in production and attributed to the products.

Since 2022, the Map Ta Phut site has also been ISCC PLUS certified, enabling it to manufacture and supply mass-balanced products. Covestro already offers a range of films made partly with plant-based raw materials or recycled plastics.

In other news, compatriot German materials firm BASF has begun production of its first biobased polyol, Sovermol, in Mangalore, India. This product will serve the fast-growing demand of eco-friendly products for applications in energy vehicles, windmills, flooring and protective industrial coatings in Asia Pacific.

Utilising the existing facilities at BASF’s Mangalore site, the Sovermol production facility is now operational after comprehensive planning and construction.

“We continuously strive to improve our technology and operations to achieve business success. The project demonstrates our capability to make continuous improvements, by remodelling our operations at the Mangalore site,” said Dr. Alba Mena Subiranas, Vice President of Operations, Global Business Unit Resins and Additives, BASF.

Sourced from renewable materials, Sovermol contains zero volatile organic compounds (VOC). Sovermol products are used to produce sustainable coatings and adhesives for various industries, enabling customers to reduce their carbon footprint and to save resources.

The BASF site in Mangalore has been in operation since 1996. Spread across more than 200 ha, it is BASF’s largest production facility in South Asia and produces polymer dispersions, fine chemical catalysts and coatings for paper, agriculture and automotive industries.

(PRA)

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