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HomeArticlesImproving efficiency and sustainability with PU elastomers

Improving efficiency and sustainability with PU elastomers

Material and machine solutions for various industries

Covestro supplies the offshore wind industry with materials that improve the service life of the systems installed in wind farms by protecting underwater cables, cable kink protection, turbine protection and others. © Zentilia – stock.adobe.com

At PU China 2021 from July 28-30 in Shanghai, China, Covestro will showcase a range of innovative solutions using polyurethane (PU) elastomers for various industries as well as to help customers achieve their sustainability goals. This is in line with the company’s commitment to build a Circular Economy for a more sustainable future, while promoting digital transformation for the benefit of customers.

 

Sustainable contribution for offshore wind applications

Offshore energy generators require materials that are strong and durable. To this end, Covestro provides the offshore wind industry with materials that improve the lifespan of equipment installed in wind farms through subsea cable protection, cable kink protection, turbine protection and more.

 

On the other hand, these companies are also looking for ways to reduce their CO₂ footprint. To this end, Covestro has developed a Desmodur® PU system made with a material based on the CO₂ technology. The innovative solution enables processors to develop products that contain up to 20 percent carbon dioxide as a chemical raw material. They can replace some of the fossil-based raw materials previously used. Last but not least, this solution overall surpasses the previous material solution in its mechanical properties.

 

Introduction of the circular economy in mining applications

In the mining industry, the need for solutions to reduce overall costs and increase efficiency in terms of performance and durability is critical. In addition, as part of a global trend, the industry is seeking insights to improve its waste management and reduce its environmental impact. To this end, Covestro offers a high-performance solution that allows waste to be reintegrated into the production process.

 

In this solution, the steel insert of the screens is replaced by a grindable insert. After use, the screen is ground into particles, which are then incorporated into the Desmodur® PU system to produce the bottom layer of the screen. Covestro also offers a special device that can process the ground particles into the system. To produce a high-performance screen, the top layer of the screen is made with a Desmodur® based system specially developed for mining screens, which has excellent wear resistance. The screen produced in this way is fully recyclable, as it can be completely ground after use. Overall, this solution helps reduce the end-of-life cost of parts while ensuring the screen’s technical performance.

 

Solutions for material handling

The transportation industry demands wheels that help keep logistics platforms moving. To deliver such performance with pinpoint accuracy 365 days a year, Covestro offers solutions for high resistance to dynamic loads combined with low wear for long-term performance with minimal maintenance. These solutions are based on Vulkollan® elastomers. For smaller loads, systems based on Desmodur® with an optimized price/performance ratio are suitable.

 

Baulé® processing machines

For all sizes of PU casting production, Baulé® processing machines offer the possibility of casting quality parts despite chemical or process limitations. These include Baulé® alpha machines – fully customizable and scalable machines that can be tailored to current processing needs. They can be further developed to incorporate features to meet future requirements. They also include Baulé® omega machines designed to meet the most demanding and specific requirements.

 

Baulé® quikmix: the practical hand caster for degassing and mixing When it comes to hand casting, small sacrifices in mixing and degassing can lead to failure in the more demanding systems. To avoid this problem and simplify the processing of challenging systems, Covestro has developed a planetary mixer with unique features. This Baulé® quikmix can be used to perfectly process all types of cast PU formulations.

 

Digital tools

Covestro has taken the next step in digitizing customer support. Digital solutions make life easier for molders today in many ways. For example, the company has developed a digital service for the quick and easy exchange of spare parts – for minimal interruptions to production processes. Customers can order spare parts via the online platform as soon as they identify a need. And by integrating customer databases with technical drawings, catalogs and machine documentation, Baulé® Easy Parts makes it easy to identify and order the parts they need in real time. Thanks to accurate references and regular price updates, this service reduces the number of quotes, speeds up the ordering process and reduces the possibility of errors.

 

Visit Covestro’s booth at Stand 34, Hall 1 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center (SWEECC).

About Covestro:
With 2020 sales of EUR 10.7 billion, Covestro is among the world’s leading polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative, sustainable solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. In doing so, Covestro is fully committed to the circular economy. The main industries served are the automotive and transportation industries, construction, furniture and wood processing, as well as electrical, electronics, and household appliances industries. Other sectors include sports and leisure, cosmetics, health and the chemical industry itself. At the end of 2020, Covestro has 33 production sites worldwide and employs approximately 16,500 people (calculated as full-time equivalents).

 

Forward-looking statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Covestro AG. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Covestro’s public reports which are available at www.covestro.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

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