"The new production facilities are equipped with state-of-the technology to enable an efficient production and thereby reduce our CO₂ emissions," says Thorsten Dreier, Chief Technology Officer of ����AV. “With the expanded capacity, we can meet our customers' growing demand for innovative specialty films, especially in medical technology, in the region Asia-Pacific and strengthen our Solutions & Specialties segment."

����AV has been operating a production facility for Specialty Films in Thailand since 2007. The range comprises polycarbonate films from the Makrofol^® range and Bayfol^® products made from polycarbonate blends. These high-performance specialty films are used in many applications across multiple industries, such as healthcare, mobility and Identification Documents.

“The new production facilities are important to us because it enables faster time to market and at the same time expands our market access in Asia-Pacific.” says Aukje Doornbos, Global Head of the Specialty Films business entity. “With market-focused innovations and a stronger customer orientation we want to drive growth for ����AV.”

Since 2022, the Map Ta Phut site is ISCC PLUS certified, enabling it to manufacture and supply mass-balanced products. With the mass balance approach, bio-based or recycled raw materials are fed in at an early stage of raw material extraction and mathematically allocated to the finished products. This saves fossil raw materials and reduces CO₂ emissions, while the quality of the mass-balanced products remains identical to that of purely fossil-based products. With this drop-in solution, manufacturers can continue to use their proven formulations, equipment, and processes.

ISCC is an internationally recognized sustainability certification for biomass and bioenergy. The standard covers all stages of the value chain and is used worldwide. Customers can use these products in their established processes and apply them to meet their sustainability goals. In addition, ����AV already offers a range of films made partly with plant-based raw materials or partly from recycled plastics.

In response to the growing demand for sustainable solutions in currency printing, ����AV is introducing Autentium^®, an innovative polymeric printing substrate. Designed exclusively for currency printing applications like banknotes, Autentium^® combines cutting-edge anti-counterfeiting technology with a recyclable mono-material design.

"The launch of Autentium^® represents a significant breakthrough in currency printing, offering an innovative, recyclable polymeric substrate that excels in printability, durability and is more sustainable," says Daniel Hentschel, Global Segment Manager for ID & Security Printing at ����AV.

Key Features of Autentium^® include:

• Exceptional printability: It supports secure printing techniques such as intaglio and offset, enabling embossed structures and therefore tactile security features that differ from traditional paper and existing polymer substrates.
• No coatings or primers needed: Its secondary properties as a hot-melt adhesive contribute to superior ink adhesion without requiring additional primers or coatings, streamlining the printing process and improving durability.
• Water & Stain Resistance: The polymer absorbs only minimal moisture, which contributes to a low static charge, while at the same time being resistant to contamination.
• Advanced laser engraveability: It allows precise micro-engravings, providing advanced anti-counterfeiting measures and enhancing currency security.
   

As a single-polymer solution, Autentium^® is recyclable, addressing the demand for sustainable materials in banknote production. Its high tear propagation resistance and excellent ink adhesion contribute to extend the lifespan of printed currency and can help reducing the environmental impact and conserving resources.

Furthermore, its durable composition can translate into long-term costs savings by minimizing replacements, making it an ideal choice for governments and the public sector that prioritize security and environmental responsibility.

Meet ����AV at Intergraf Currency + Identity 2025 

����AV will showcase Autentium^® and other advanced polymeric solutions at the Intergraf Currency + Identity 2025 trade show. Join us from March 5-7, 2025, at the Allianz MiCo, Milano, Italy. Visit us at booth 16 to discover how Autentium^® can redefine your security printing requirements and drive innovation in currency production.

These new displays overcome the performance, size and geometric limitations of traditional HUD systems, enabling the practical and scalable implementation of multiple displays in one windshield and elsewhere in side-light glazing. Proof of concepts (PoCs) developed with OEMs will be showcased at CES 2025 in Las Vegas from January 7–10.

The MOU builds on years of collaboration, leveraging each company’s technologies to manufacture holographic-enabled transparent HUDs for the automotive market. It enables to look into the steps needed to setup and establish the required facilities and manufacturing capacity, ensuring an efficient, market-ready supply chain to meet the planned production timelines of OEMs wishing to adopt the technology for new driver and passenger experiences. The partnership aims to accelerate the commercialization of the HUD solution, with Eastman leveraging its relationships with automotive OEMs and Tier One suppliers.

A proven solution

In 2024, Ceres and Eastman demonstrated the latest holographic transparent display HUDs to OEMs in Europe, the USA, and China. These HUDs featured multiple transparent displays within a single, fully laminated windshield, each measuring up to 400mm by 300mm. Custom-designed holographic optical elements (HOEs) were incorporated into a single sheet of Bayfol HX^® film, laminated with Eastman’s new developed interlayer stack, achieving the industry's largest field of view.

This achievement was enabled by combining ����AV’s expertise in photopolymer films, Ceres’ digital mastering and HoloFlekt^® roll-to-roll replication system, which produces finished films up to 1400mm wide, and Eastman’s solutions to encapsulate functional films into automotive approved laminates.

“This agreement solidifies our collaboration and moves us closer to delivering a full-stack solution for innovative display implementations,” said Hemant Dandekar, Eastman's global commercial director of automotive for advanced materials, interlayers. “With the building blocks and relationships in place, we’re excited to define a path to viable holographic transparent displays globally.”

“Our Bayfol^® HX enables next-generation truly transparent projection displays for windshields while meeting the high automotive safety requirements.” said Günther Walze, Head of Holographic Lightguiding at ����AV. “With the necessary establishment of hologram mastering and scalable mass-production replication equipment by Ceres, combined with Eastman’s windshield lamination technology, this innovation is ready for deployment to end customers.”

“We have been working closely with global OEMs for years and are now at a tipping point for adoption and scaling of this display technology,” said Andy Travers, CEO of Ceres Holographics. “This is being driven by a combination of a desire for more safety-oriented and intuitive information display features, pressure from safety regulators to reduce driver distractions, and the accelerated pace of innovation and associated need for differentiation among a new generation of car makers.”

This agreement joins the material expertise of ����AV, Eastman’s interlayer solutions and encapsulation know-how, as well as Ceres capabilities in mastering and high-volume manufacturing technology for the successful commercialization and industrialization of holography in transparent displays for windshields.

A fully functional transparent display windshield demonstrator laminate will be showcased at CES 2025 in both the Eastman/Ceres Holographics demonstration suite at The Venetian Hotel - Murano suite, #3201A, and ����AV’s booth in the North Hall, location #8311.

����AV’s CERTEVO^® revolutionizes security printing with several key features: It supports excellent printability via intaglio and offset processes, enabling embossing structures—surpassing traditional paper and enhancing security elements. Its hotmelt nature eliminates the need for coatings and primers, ensuring superior ink adhesion that simplifies printing and boosts durability. Additionally, advanced laser engravability allows precise micro-engravings, making counterfeiting efforts more challenging.

As a single-polymer composition, CERTEVO^® is recyclable, meeting the demand for sustainable security printing materials. Its high tear resistance and ink adhesion extend the lifecycle of printed items while conserving resources. CERTEVO® thereby addresses environmental concerns and meets evolving sustainability requirements in document production.

Furthermore, its durable composition lowers long-term costs by minimizing replacements, making it an ideal choice for governments and the public sector that prioritize security and environmental responsibility. 

Meet ����AV at TRUSTECH 2024

����AV’s team will be present at the trade show, held at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles - Pavilion 5.2, from December 3-5, 2024. We invite industry professionals and stakeholders to discuss with us at meeting room 8 and discover how CERTEVO^® and other advanced polymer materials can transform their security printing needs.

“Healthcare manufacturers are increasingly adopting sustainable materials to reduce their carbon footprint, and it is our goal to help customers reach their sustainability ambitions,” said Sam Shodi, Head of Specialty Films North America, ����AV.

According to Shodi, the Makrofol^® polycarbonate film provides the transparency, toughness and sterilization suitability needed for many medical applications an example of which is medical implant packaging. “This advancement meets the demands of our healthcare customers, where sustainable materials are crucial for reducing environmental impact while maintaining high quality and safety standards,” he concluded.

With the mass balance approach, bio-based or recycled raw materials are fed in at an early stage of raw material extraction and mathematically allocated to the finished products. This saves fossil raw materials and reduces CO₂ emissions, while the quality of the mass-balanced products remains identical to that of purely fossil-based products. With this drop-in solution, manufacturers can continue to use their proven formulations, equipment and processes.

ISCC is an internationally recognized sustainability certification for biomass and bioenergy. The standard covers all stages of the value chain and is used worldwide. ����AV has major sites across all regions that are ISCC PLUS certified. Among them are world-scale sites like Baytown, Texas; Leverkusen, Dormagen and Krefeld-Uerdingen, Germany; Shanghai, China; Map Ta Phut, Thailand; and Antwerp, Belgium.

Customers can discover more about ����AV’s mass balance films and other premium material solutions, including how they support sustainability goals and drive advancements in medical devices, at the upcoming and trade fairs, November 11-14 in Düsseldorf, Germany.

The Blue Shield Market Development Award, granted by the CIAPST (China International Association for Promotion of Science and Technology) Security Identification Union and the organizing committee of SDS, marks a significant achievement. SDS is recognized as the most important annual ID conference in China.

More secure, sophisticated ID documents with PC and TPU films

At this year’s SDS held from May 28-29 in Beijing, ����AV is showcasing its all-in-one passport and ID card solutions, leveraging the company’s latest Makrofol^® ID polycarbonate (PC) and Platilon^® ID thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) films.

These innovations include a passport cover solution employing TPU films, offering scratch and tear resistance, unique surface relief effects and color matching tailored to specific passport program requirements.

Furthermore, ����AV presents solutions for passport data pages and ID cards, such as sophisticated clear window designs enabled by thin, highly opaque white PC films; color-switching PC films for clear windows and transparent areas in ID documents; high-contrast laser-engravable PC films with level 3 forensic security features post-personalization; and PC films facilitating brighter holograms in PC ID documents.

Additionally, ����AV introduces a flexible and durable TPU hinge with tear propagation resistance to attach the PC data page to the passport cover.

To explore more about how ����AV’s film solutions can accommodate tomorrow’s needs today, visit the ����AV Specialty Films ID landing page at

"����AV understands the value chain and is not only a film producer but also an innovator and integrator," says Karine Benbelaid, Global Head of Medical Segment, Specialty Films, ����AV. "The company has a long, successful track record driving industrial collaboration with converters, printers, OEMs, research labs and designers. We’re highlighting a few of these collaborations at LOPEC 2024."

����AV is participating at LOPEC, the International Exhibition and Conference for Printed Electronics, in Munich, Germany from March 5-7 at Hall 0, Booth 612 (B0.612). The company will showcase a diverse range of polycarbonate (PC) films and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) films for printed electronics manufacturing in healthcare and HMI (human-machine interface) applications in automotive and electronics design.

Smart patches and other healthcare applications

In the healthcare sector, smart medical skin patches help improve patient comfort and allow for enhanced remote monitoring, such as Electromyogram (EMG). While electronic patches are already used in many areas, such as patient monitoring, there is a growing need for digitization. With this in mind, ����AV will display a smart patch for early detection of ostomy bag leaks, developed with Witte Technology GmbH and Lohmann GmbH & Co. KG.

People with artificial intestinal outlet (stoma) use ostomy bags, which collect the gut and bowel liquid. These bags can sometimes leak, which can be associated with discomfort for the patient. For that reason, early detection is crucial to patient comfort. Using a sensor array printed on a medical grade Platilon^® TPU film, the smart patch on display can detect any leakage between the artificial intestinal outlet and the ostomy bag. The patch is designed for retrofitting an ostomy bag and can be integrated into existing ostomy bag solutions.

"The excellent collaboration among Witte Technology, Lohmann, and ����AV has yielded a groundbreaking solution: a smart patch for early ostomy bag leakage detection," says Dr. Volker Lutz, Head of New Business Development, Lohmann GmbH & Co. KG. "With its innovative sensor array on medical-grade Platilon^® TPU film, this smart patch promises enhanced comfort and peace of mind for ostomy patients around the world."

The following applications are also on display:

• Smart EMG wearable patches for biosignal acquisition made with Platilon^® 5302 MR7X, courtesy of Nile AB (Linxens Healthcare)
• Platilon^® TPU films with excellent printability for silver-based inks, which ensure high conductivity

HMI for automotive and electronics applications

LOPEC attendees will also see HMI applications for automotive and electronics designs enabled by in-mold electronics (IME). The feasibility of these technologies for mass production will be demonstrated using examples of the design of intelligent surfaces and innovative lighting.

The ´smart surface´ demo, jointly developed by ����AV and TactoTek^®, will demonstrate the use of Makrolon^® polycarbonate resin and Makrofol^® PC film technology to bring electronics into thin, durable and seamless 3D plastic surfaces by Film Insert Molding (FIM) technology.

An innovative lighting project for surfaces called ‘Jenny’ will also be on display. Jenny was developed by TactoTek^® and Novem using ����AV materials and consists of real wood laminate and areas of triangular PC overmolds and wood. This structure provides seamless, even lighting in a high-quality design.

"We are thrilled to reveal ‘Jenny’, our extraordinary lighting concept. The A-Surface can be customized for an ultra-premium feel and finish", says Paavo Niskala, SVP IMSE Technology, TactoTek^®. "By integrating Makrofol^® and Makrolon^® layers, along with different surfaces, we have achieved an unparalleled fusion of innovation and elegance."

At LOPEC 2024, ����AV will display a LiDAR cover lens, engineered with Canatu, featuring Makrolon^® AG polycarbonate resin and Makrofol^® PC film with an integrated heater. This collaboration enhances Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems for modern vehicles, ensuring reliability in harsh weather by combining ����AV's thermoplastics expertise with Canatu's carbon nanotube (CNT) transparent film heater.

Hear from a ����AV expert

At LOPEC 2024 Congress, ����AV expert Karine Benbelaid will give a lecture on March 5, room 13b at 9:05 a.m. CET, entitled, “Turning Medical Devices Smart and Circular".

����AV offers an extensive of specialty films that help create excellent, secure ID documents. This includes ID cards and driver's licenses made from Makrofol® ID polycarbonate (PC) films, as well as passports made using Platilon® thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film materials. Through advanced PC and TPU films, the company develops security feature integration solutions that not only make ID documents highly counterfeit-resistant, but also easy to authenticate. 

New horizons in passport booklet security

The industry agrees: Identity documents made of monolithic polymer laminates such as polycarbonate offer increased security against counterfeiting. The foundation for the higher security is multiple features, embedded in various layers of polymer films that are laminated under the influence of heat and pressure in such a way that separation of the layers is impossible without irreparable damage to the document. "We are advancing the concept of multi-layered and laminated security features, from Makrofol® polycarbonate data pages to passport covers that use embossed and embedded features to help increase the security level," says Daniel Hentschel, Global Segment Manager Identification. 

As part of its program at Trustech 2023, ����AV is therefore proud to present its new concepts for passport booklets, where Platilon® TPU films play a central role by offering passport color, design flexibility and high anti-counterfeiting properties. These Platilon® TPU films from ����AV are suitable to produce flexible, wear-resistant passport covers that provide protection for embedded chips and antennas. These novel passport covers can be customized with different surface textures and colors. 

The presentation of adjacent material solutions around identification documents from ����AV to create security features, hinge connections, as well as passport end page solutions underscores its commitment to the fight against counterfeiting. The result is an integrative ID material concept that is not only safe and durable, but also aesthetically impressive. 

Meet us at Trustech 2023 

Discover more into cutting-edge and sustainable film material solutions for ID documents by ����AV, we cordially invite you to visit our booth at C067 in Pavilion 5.2. Our experts will be available to provide insights and answers to your questions. 

Additionally, Georgios Tziovaras, Global Business Development Manager Identification Documents & Security Printing, will give a talk on ‘Security features in laminated passport book covers’: a presentation on the Innovation Stage on November 28 at 14:30 p.m. CET. 

This site of Epurex Films, a wholly owned subsidiary of ����AV, houses research & development, application development and production for the semi-finished products. The company has invested a low double-digit million Euro amount in the expansion of the center of excellence for TPU-Films.

The new capacity is intended to meet the growing global demand for multilayer TPU films. They are used in automotive interiors and construction, among other applications. Breathable, water-impermeable specialty films have also proven their worth in wound care and outdoor clothing.

"With this capacity expansion, we are strengthening our Bomlitz site and our position as a leading supplier of technical specialty films," said Dr. Thorsten Dreier, ����AV's Chief Technology Officer, at the inauguration. "At the same time, we are investing in promising technologies and applications and creating new jobs."

For Aleta Richards, global head of the Specialty Films business entity, the expansion offers opportunities to respond even better to individual customer needs and offer more sustainable products. "For some time now, we have also been developing customer-specific solutions with films made from alternative raw materials, as we are also seeing increasing demand in this area. The development and production of partially biobased products is therefore to become a new focus at the Bomlitz site."

����AV is fully geared toward the circular economy and aims to become climate-neutral by 2035. In 2022 the Bomlitz site has switched its power supply completely to green electricity. Epurex Films is one of ����AV's three competence centers for specialty films in Germany, along with Leverkusen and Dormagen.

"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 ����AV. "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.”

Expanded range of films made from alternative raw materials

����AV already offers a whole range of , for example mass-balanced grades certified to the internationally recognized 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. Customers can use these products in their established processes and apply them to meet their sustainability goals. In addition, ����AV already offers a range of films made partly with plant-based raw materials or recycled plastics.

����AV will showcase a comprehensive range of specialty films for printed electronics at LOPEC 2023 in Munich, Germany, from February 28 to March 2. Attendees can find ����AV in Hall B0 Booth 418 (B0.418).

"We’re excited to participate for the first time in LOPEC, which is considered one of the world’s leading gathering places for exchanging ideas and introducing technologies related to printed electronics," said Karine Benbelaid, Global Segment Lead, Medical, Specialty Films business, ����AV. "We look forward to demonstrating our technical expertise and ability to drive industrial collaboration as we highlight our PC, TPU and specialty elastomer films that are tailored specifically for automotive, electronics, healthcare and consumer applications."

New TPU films and applications for smart skin patches

����AV will debut its new Platilon^® TPU grades for smart skin patch applications at LOPEC 2023. Not only can the new ranges of TPU films be printed with standard inks, but they also show good printability with silver-based inks. Printability with silver-based inks is important as it ensures good conductivity and allows sensor technology to be integrated more reliably. Additionally, the new TPU film grades can be equipped with a stiffer polypropylene carrier, which provides stability throughout the conversion process, especially during curing.

One of the new Platilon^® TPU grades is specifically suited for humid environments, often required for 24/7 worn medical patches. This range of substrates in medical quality is also available in a partially bio-based version. Another new Platilon^® TPU range features high mechanical strengths, opening up applications in a variety of devices. Nile AB (powered by Healthcare) selected this new material to produce wearable sensor patches.

"The future of printed wearables belongs to pioneering patches aimed at better patient comfort and enhanced accuracy," said Peter Nilson, CEO at Nile AB. "We chose to work with the new TPU substrate from ����AV because it has been perfectly adapted for our unique converting process and printing of silver-based flexible circuits."

Booth visitors can also check out smart skin patches made jointly with , featuring two products: a Disposable patch, which houses sensors and is designed to be used once; and a ReUse patch, which houses the electronics and can be used repeatedly.

Smart material solutions for automotive and electronics

����AV will also highlight key Human Machine Interface (HMI) applications for automotive and electrics designs enabled by in-mold electronics (IME), including:

• A future-forward integrated automotive frontend concept for creating premium- and base-model designs
• Smart 3D plastic surfaces featuring injection molded structural electronics (IMSE^®) technology from combined with Makrofol^® PC film and Makrolon^® PC resin
  • A fully functioning, sleek automotive overhead control panel demonstrator
  • A smart surface controller device that meets tomorrow’s design, sustainability and technology requirements

Hear from ����AV experts

����AV will share its technical expertise through presentations given by ����AV subject matter experts:

• Mikko Silvennoinen, global account representative, Specialty Films business, will give an oral presentation on TPU films for use in smart medical skin patches on Tuesday, February 28, in ICM Room 13b at 12:50 CET.
• Dirk Pophusen, global segment manager, Specialty Films business, will give an oral presentation on in-mold electronics film technology enabling future HMI solutions in automotive and electronics design on Thursday, March 2, in ICM Room 13a at 14:00 CET.

����AV will showcase its comprehensive specialty films portfolio for producing highly secure ID documents, such as passports and e-ID cards, at , in Paris, France from November 29 to December 1. The company’s polycarbonate (PC) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film solutions enable integrated security features, making ID documents highly difficult to replicate yet easy to authenticate.

Polycarbonate film addressing circular economy

����AV is on a journey to become fully circular in the future. "We continue to innovate throughout different segments and applications, including ID documents, to increase circularity and realize our vision of becoming a fully circular company," shares Dr. Aleta Richards, Head of the Specialty Films segment at ����AV. At Trustech 2022, ����AV will debut a partly mechanically recycled white PC film¹ that helps contribute to circular economy in the ID market segment. Makrofol^® ID357 white PC film offers properties, quality and performance similar to the company’s renowned Makrofol^® ID white PC film. ID document manufacturers can easily combine this new offering with Makrofol^® ID clear and clear laser engravable films.

Linxens, a leading provider of secure component-based solutions for security and identification, will utilize Makrofol^® ID357 in its newest document inlay solution. "Our collaboration with ����AV is a win-win situation: ����AV has the first commercial application for its new film with partly recycled PC content and we have the material needed for our latest ID PC inlay solution," adds Vincent Gourmelen, Government Marketing Director at Linxens.

”As counterfeiters become more sophisticated, the ID segment must be dynamic and constantly evolving,” explains Henry Leung, Global Segment Manager, Identification, Specialty Films at ����AV. "We are always pushing the boundaries of film material solutions in supporting the industry, partners and customers. Our collaboration with Linxens is an excellent example of how working together, we’re able to help our customers take a more sustainable approach to bring their innovative solutions to the market.”

Integrated passport solution leveraging specialty films

Durable and secure travel documents are necessary for government issuing authorities, document manufacturers, travelers and border control agencies. ����AV offers an innovative passport solution leveraging PC and TPU films with high design flexibility including the booklet cover, hinge and data page.

����AV offers a TPU film solution to enable flexible scratch and tear resistant passport covers. For passport e-Covers, TPU films can also help better cushion and protect the embedded chips and antennas. These next-generation passport covers can be equipped with various security features and customized with different surface textures and colors. TPU films are also utilized in the passport hinge application, creating a flexible, strong passport hinge that bonds well with polycarbonate data page films.

For the ID document data page, ����AV continues to drive innovation with PC films that can enable multiple security features after lamination and laser personalization. ����AV will also showcase a clear polycarbonate film that can help minimize background UV fluorescence in polycarbonate documents. The film can enable a level 2 security feature for laser-engraved raised tactile characters.

Trustech 2022 attendees can visit the ����AV booth G025 in Pavilion 5.2 to learn more about the company’s material solutions and meet with our technical experts for ID documents. Additionally, Georgios Tziovaras, Global Business Development Manager Identification in the Specialty Films business, will give two talks on pushing boundaries in ID document innovations: a presentation in Room 1 on November 29 at 11:20 a.m. CET and on the Innovation Stage on November 30 at 11 a.m. CET.

¹ Partly mechanically recycled white PC film contains 30% PC based recycled content

����AV is presenting the advanced solutions for automotive interiors unveiled at the plastics trade show to the advanced solutions for automotive interiors now at this year's Automotive Interiors Expo in Stuttgart, Germany, November 8-10, 2022. At booth 3312 in Hall 3, the company will showcase a range of smart and sustainable material solutions that keep pace with the latest trends in automotive interior design.

Shaping the driving experience with new technologies

Makrolon^® Ai polycarbonate offers a special edge-lit composite color that can range from transparent to translucent, providing various options for ambient and dynamic automotive interior lighting. The combination of this material with the lightweight composite Maezio^®, which offers tremendous design freedom and is made partly from post-industrial recycled materials, allows occupants to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Functional integration through back-injection of polycarbonate

����AV has developed the first material that is shrinkage-free and highly dimensionally stable, transparent and heat-resistant: Makroblend^® OM 845G, a polycarbonate blend with 20 percent glass fibers. This material can be back-injected and back-lit to create textured and 3D shapes.

Soft-touch coatings create surprising textures

����AV offers a versatile range of hard to flexible aqueous 2-component (2K) polyurethane dispersions that allow a high degree of design freedom (from soft to hard). By combining this 2K polyurethane technology with edge-lit and high-tech Makrolon® Ai materials, it is possible to create a wide range of innovative textures.

Innovative coatings and adhesives for instrument panels and door 
trims

Together with designer Miika Heikkinen, ����AV's Coatings & Adhesives and Engineering Plastics segments have developed a door panel concept with new material solutions. The prototype contains a waterborne coating with innovative INSQIN^® technology in combination with an adhesive based on a Dispercoll^® U dispersion – two waterborne polyurethane (PU) solutions with low levels of volatile organic components (VOCs). Specially developed to provide cost-effective and sustainable applications for future automotive interior requirements, they provide translucent appearance, coating adhesion and deep color effects in door panels. As a vegan solution, the lower CO₂ emissions and reduced energy consumption of INSQIN^® can reduce the overall CO₂ footprint of plastics by up to 45 percent while providing virtually odor-free indoor air quality. The carbon footprint can be further improved by using an Impranil^® CQ DLU PU dispersion, which consists of approximately 35 percent renewable carbon by weight. In addition, the application also includes a partially biobased water-based soft-touch coating with up to 33 percent renewable carbon in the final formulation.

Lighting and heating integrated into the sunroof

Panoramic sunroofs and moonroofs are very popular in modern vehicles. ����AV, in collaboration with Loomia, has developed a roll-up sunroof shade concept that combines the sun-reflecting properties of Platilon^® TPU film during daylight hours with integrated fabric circuits for lighting and heating at night and in cold weather. To help passengers get the most out of the interior, we bonded the textile surface and electronics layer using our thin and flexible Platilon^® polyurethane film. It is tough enough to withstand repeated rolling without compromising performance.

Makrolon^® and Makrofol^® films for smart surfaces

����AV and TactoTek^® have teamed up again to showcase the endless, more sustainable design possibilities of IMSE^® technology: Together, they developed demonstrators that showcase functional electronics while integrating control surfaces, computers and displays. The final design consists of a Raspberry Pi computer, an OLED display, all necessary circuitry and electronic components, and inks for coloring and decorating – all embedded in a Makrolon^® resin between two layers of Makrofol^® film. With this, we are showcasing powerful new material solutions for consumer electronics with a mono-material design where the plastic can be recovered at will and converted into new raw materials.

"Plastics are a must to drive the shared global vision of the circular economy and achieve climate neutrality. At K 2022, we want to highlight the huge potential of these advanced materials to solve global challenges and showcase promising developments," says CEO Dr. Markus Steilemann. "The show will also play an important role in bringing together partners in the value chains and from other sectors. The task now is to move forward together with rapid, major steps toward implementation."

Sucheta Govil, Chief Commercial Officer, adds: "We have set ourselves ambitious targets and want to become carbon neutral by 2035 for CO₂ emissions from our operations and renewable energy supply, so that our customers can achieve their climate and sustainability goals. To achieve this, we are relying on close cooperations with them and many other partners," says Govil. "At the show, we will be showcasing innovative products and solutions from the fields of alternative raw materials, innovative recycling and renewable energies that pave the way to full circularity at ����AV."

����AV will use K 2022 from October 19-26 for a multimedia appearance to network: At the booth, an exciting program of talks will be streamed live throughout in the "Talk Arena" with prominent guests. The Backstage area is a multifunctional space for hybrid events and interactive formats. An extensive digital platform – called "" – provides a lot of background information about the developments shown. Innovators and their developments for the circular economy are presented as part of the video series "".

Crafting Circular Economy

In this important area, ����AV shows how it is driving the transformation to a circular economy and aims to achieve climate neutrality in its own production and in its supply of renewable energy. With the introduction of the "CQ" label for products based on alternative raw materials, ����AV aims to create greater transparency and make it easier for customers to distinguish them from conventional, fossil-based products.

Another focus is on innovative recycling technologies. The "Recycling Technology Wheel" provides information on current developments. Chemolysis in particular holds great potential for the quantitative recovery of raw materials. ����AV is now introducing the name "Evocycle^® CQ" for all evolutionary recycling processes as an extension.

Crafting Electrification

The shift from fossil to renewable energy sources is also linked to electrification of the important sectors of transport and buildings: The mobile and stationary future is electric. Plastics from ����AV will play an important role in all of these in the future – from power generation and storage to use in vehicles and at home.

Renewable energy also plays a role in a special exhibit: The "Photon," a prototype solar race car, is on display in the outdoor area of Hall 7A. This "" was designed and built by a dedicated team of students from Aachen, Germany, who have set themselves the task of developing and racing high-tech vehicles for a particularly sustainable form of mobility. ����AV is the main sponsor of the project.

Crafting Smart Designs

This exhibition area is dedicated to the possibilities of digitalization and open innovation approaches to work in a more connected and sustainable way along the entire value chain.

At K 2022, ����AV will present, among other things, new charging stations and wall charging stations (wallboxes) for future mobility, including the first wallbox produced by partner EVBox using more sustainable polycarbonates. These plastics from the Makrolon^® RE range are produced proportionately from biowaste and residual materials, in part using renewable electricity, and therefore have a very low carbon footprint.

Crafting Sustainable Living

How can urban spaces be made more sustainable without compromising on consumer preferences? ����AV provides answers to this question in this exhibition area. The aims of the developments presented are greater comfort and design freedom, enhanced functionality, more sustainable and circular solutions, and energy-efficient living.

����AV and Arcesso Dynamics, a custom polyurethane parts manufacturer, will introduce Arfinio^® at K 2022, a breakthrough manufacturing solution for furniture, bathroom fixtures, electronic parts, housings and other applications based on reaction injection molding (RIM) of aliphatic polyurethanes.

All journalists are cordially invited to visit ����AV's booth A 75 in Hall 6. There you will have the opportunity to talk about the innovations and topics on display, and you can obtain the ����AV press kit for K 2022. If you wish, we will also be happy to give you a tour of the booth or arrange interviews.

Ultrathin PC films are used, among other things, in the electronics industry: for the electrical insulation of capacitors or for the manufacture of flexible printed circuit boards. Until now, they could only be produced using the rather complex solvent cast film technology. With Makrofol^® TF, now there is an alternative with an ultrathin thermoplastic extrusion film.

But that's not all: The industry can also use the new film to produce very thin membranes, for example as sound transducers for loudspeakers. In particular, so-called track-etched membranes can be produced, which have pores with an application-specific, precisely defined size and density. To do this, the manufacturers of such membranes first irradiate films with heavy ions to create tracks. In a second step, chemical etching creates the pores. Track-etched membranes have multiple applications in biology and diagnostics. They serve, for example, as filters in laboratory analysis or as cell culture substrates. The electrical and automotive industries also use track-etched membranes, for example, in systems for venting headlights, car batteries, or electronics housings.

Makrofol^® TF is a suitable material for the production of track-etched membranes: the transparent films are very homogeneous, inert with a uniform surface and isotropic mechanical properties. Other advantages of the PC material include its excellent resistance to heat, durability over a wide temperature range, and high optical clarity.  

Bayfol^® HX consists of a transparent film as a substrate and a photoreactive layer that is optimized for the specific customer requirements. Bayfol^® HX gives designers the greatest possible design freedom. For example, it is flexible enough to be bent – as in the Sony application – so that it can completely enclose a cylinder. It has tailor-made optical properties to produce high-quality holographic images. Both the very high transparency of the photopolymer film and the image brightness it enables were key factors in Sony's decision to use Bayfol^® HX for its development project.

"We spent a long time looking for the right material to realize our idea," said Sony's Yutaka Imai. The R&D General manager continues, "The project showed that Bayfol^® HX has excellent performance for AR applications."  It is imaginable that the prototype display technology will be used, for example, in museum showrooms and corporate presentation rooms – or in the home, for example, to accompany music with 360-degree videos.

"We are pleased that digital image information can now be presented floating in space rather than just presented in a frame, as it were, thanks to Bayfol^® HX and Sony's innovative screen concept. In addition to automotive head-up displays (HUD) and head-mounted displays (HMD), this is another extremely promising AR application for our holographic films," says Yuen-Ling Lok, Head of Commercial Operations Holographic Lightguiding at ����AV. 

In 2019, several TPU film grades under the Platilon^® brand, manufactured in Europe, received OEKO-TEX^® Standard 100 certification. This offering is now being extended to several under the Dureflex^® brand, manufactured in South Deerfield, Massachusetts, USA.

The films received certification for product class I. This applies to articles with direct skin contact for infants and young children up to three years of age. It is therefore associated with the highest requirements for the skin compatibility of the products.

Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX^® is a globally uniform, independent testing and certification system for textile raw, intermediate and end products at all stages of processing. The test criteria and limit values often go far beyond national and international specifications. Therefore, the certification stands for highly effective product safety.

Wearable patch sensors (smart patches) are rising in popularity, as they offer a wide range of options for medical diagnosis. Current trends include enhanced convenience, even more functions, and ongoing miniaturization. What's more, the public is demanding more sustainable solutions and a move away from disposable products. Together with its partner accensors, ����AV has developed a smart patch consisting of two elements: The disposable patch, which contains the sensors, and the ReUse patch, which contains the electronics. This makes it possible to reuse the valuable electronic parts.

Efficient production of wound dressings

The production of wound dressings and plasters, as well as medical wearables, involves a multi-stage process. The combination of a polypropylene (PP) backing with blown films from the Platilon^® range made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), in particular, is now proving to be well suited to satisfying today's high demands for process efficiency and ease of use in wound care. In comparison to the production of paper backings, the generation of dust in the production process is significantly reduced.

Breathable wound dressings to prevent bedsores

In the case of prolonged disease progression, it is important to prevent bedsores (pressure ulcers). ����AV has developed a concept for a prevention dressing that addresses the three most important factors for bedsores: Pressure, friction and shear. A highly breathable prototype is made exclusively from ����AV polyurethane materials.

The key features of this prototype wound care dressing made from Baymedix^® and Platilon^® materials are:

• Optimized friction, shear and pressure management
• Excellent moisture management to support a healthy microclimate
• Application- and skin-friendly polyurethane adhesive
• Efficient and sustainable manufacturing technology

Extra matte films for increased wear comfort

The PP backings can also be combined with multilayer Platilon^® TPU films, for example, to achieve individual properties such as a specific surface finish. TPU blown films offer a wide range of surface qualities from silky to extra matte. In particular, Platilon^®XM films offer an extra matte, skin-like surface and a soft feel that offers increased comfort for patients. Medical products made with the low-friction Platilon^® XM films adhere to the skin longer because friction against textiles is minimized. This, in turn, prevents premature changes of dressings and plasters. Owing to its soft surface feel, the film feels like a second skin. It is used in wound dressings, plasters and other medical products that require high breathability.

The new capacity is intended to meet the growing global demand for multilayer TPU Films. They are used in automotive interiors and construction, among other applications. Breathable, water-impermeable specialty films have also proven their worth in wound care and outdoor clothing. The new facilities are scheduled for completion as early as the end of 2023.

"With this capacity expansion, we are strengthening our Bomlitz site and our position as a leading supplier of technical specialty films," said Dr. Klaus Schäfer, Chief Technology Officer of ����AV, at the groundbreaking ceremony. "At the same time, we are investing in promising technologies and applications and creating new jobs."

For Aleta Richards, global head of the Specialty Films segment, the expansion offers opportunities to respond even better to individual customer needs and offer more sustainable products. "For some time now, we have also been developing customer-specific solutions with films made from alternative raw materials, as we are also seeing increasing demand in this area. The development and production of partially bio-based products is therefore to become a new focus at the Bomlitz site."

����AV is fully geared toward the circular economy and aims to become climate-neutral by 2035. To this end, the Bomlitz site plans to switch its energy supply completely to green electricity starting this year.

Epurex Films is one of three ����AV competence centers for specialty films in Germany. The other two centers in Leverkusen and Dormagen are focused on research, production and application of polycarbonate films.

At  Conference and Exposition, April 12-14, 2022 in Anaheim, California, ����AV will showcase its materials for healthcare applications in booth #2221, including for Healthcare. Makrolon^® RE polycarbonate grades have a low carbon footprint thanks to the use of renewable electricity for their manufacture, as well as raw materials produced from mass-balanced bio-waste and residues.

This new offering further expands the company’s portfolio of proven materials for diverse healthcare uses:

• Polycarbonate resins and blends: ����AV’s broad portfolio including Makrolon^® and Makroblend^® deliver strength and durability for drug delivery devices, dental applications, advanced injection devices, medical device housings, and more – to withstand everyday use and chemical interaction.
• Polyurethane raw materials and adhesives: Baymedix^® polyurethane adhesive and foam components provide excellent breathability and low trauma removal to wound care products, in addition to excellent absorption. In wearables applications, skin-friendly adhesive systems and thermoformable foams for electronic embedding are also available.
• Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) films and resins: Platilon^® TPU films offer breathable applications for wound dressing and prevention, as well as wearable patches. Texin® Rx TPU resins provide flexibility and strength for applications such as medical tubing and dental applications, all while remaining resistant to cleaning agents and bacteria.

Several applications of these materials will be on display, including:

• : ����AV showcases the expansion of its product portfolio into the medical and healthcare space with Makrolon^® RE – a drop-in, low carbon footprint, medical-grade polycarbonate solution.
• Materials from ����AV’s line of medical-grade polycarbonates come together to form an innovative and sustainable drug delivery device.
• : ����AV and PharmaJet team up to advance needle-free injection. Makrolon^® from ����AV stands up to gamma and ethylene oxide sterilization in a device that eliminates needle-stick injuries, and can be used for COVID-19 vaccinations.
• : ����AV and SmartGuard work together to provide restful sleep for those who involuntarily grind their teeth. Makrolon^® 2858 from ����AV provides the strength, softness and biocompatibility needed for this application.
• Durable Makrolon^® and Makroblend^® materials feature improved disinfectant resistance and next-generation flame retardancy with skin contact biocompatibility. 

Attendees can visit the ����AV booth (#2221) to learn more about the company’s impressive combination of material solutions and technical expertise for the healthcare market.
 

"I am very pleased that we can now offer our customers even more certified mass-balanced products and thus help them even better to achieve their sustainability goals and drive the transition to a circular economy," says Sucheta Govil, Chief Commercial Officer of ����AV. "In doing so, we are also supporting the use of alternative raw materials and reducing CO₂ emissions along the value chains."

Dr. Klaus Schäfer, Chief Technology Officer at ����AV, adds, "The raw materials we use for these products meet the high sustainability requirements of the ISCC Plus standard all the way back through the supply chain. That's why we want to make greater use of alternative raw materials such as these renewably attributed precursors in our production. In addition to the three German sites, also our plants in Antwerp and Shanghai are already ISCC Plus certified, with more sites to follow."

In the mass balance approach, bio-based or recycled raw materials – in this case reprocessed residual materials – are fed in at an early stage of raw material extraction and mathematically attributed to the finished products. This saves fossil raw materials and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, while the quality of the mass-balanced products remains the same compared to purely fossil-based ones. Manufacturers can continue to use their proven formulations, equipment and processes.

ISCC ("International Sustainability and Carbon Certification") is an internationally recognized system for sustainability certification of biomass and bioenergy, among others. The standard covers all stages of the value chain and is widely used worldwide. ISCC Plus includes further certification options for technical-chemical applications, among others, including plastics from biomass.

����AV and , Scotland, are now expanding their collaboration to make transparent displays with volume holographic optical elements fit for application readiness in the automotive industry in particular. The opening of Ceres Holographics' new digital mastering and replication facility in Livingston is another important step for both companies to build and scale this technology.

The technical collaboration will focus on optimizing ����AV’s Bayfol^® HX film and Ceres’ HoloFlekt^® mastering and replication equipment with respect to the system geometry of various vehicle classes, imaging performance, as well as integration requirements. "By expanding our relationship with our long-time partner Ceres, we are significantly advancing forward-looking display solutions. The interest and exchange with OEMs shows us that a new generation of displays for mobility applications are important," says Moritz Winterstein, Head of Growth Ventures Specialty Films at ����AV.

Ceres' holography system and design capabilities enable the development of vehicle-specific master designs, which can then be produced in replicas as large-format HoloFlekt^® films and integrated into glass. The system efficiently directs the projector light into the user’s eye-box and maintains the high transparency of the screen. "Bayfol^® HX films from ����AV are key to our ability to provide high-volume transparent films with light-guiding optical functions for volume holographic display solutions," said Andy Travers, chief executive officer of Ceres.

Transparent displays with volume holographic elements are attractive not only for automotive applications, but also, for example, for applications in buses, trains, industrial vehicles, and aircraft, as well as in architectural glazing.

Physical and digital identities are being used more and more frequently in the production of ID cards and passports to help protect ID documents against forgery and manipulation. Visible security features in particular are gaining in importance.

Low fluorescence increases security of ID documents

The market continues to require a consistent fluorescence level of ID documents. The latest Makrofol^® ID polycarbonate film solution from ����AV is well suited for this, as it can further enhance consistent and low fluorescence levels for ID cards and passport data pages. The low fluorescence feature can additionally achieve security level 2 by using UV light for verification when applying raised laser-engraved tactile characters during the ID document personalization. In this way, this transparent polycarbonate film from ����AV can help enhance the security of ID documents.

In addition to this development, ����AV will be showcasing its sophisticated for polycarbonate ID documents at the conference. These transparent window solutions are enabled by the use of thin white, highly opaque polycarbonate films, Makrofol^® ID O.V.M color-changing polycarbonate films with level 1, 2 and 3 security features of ����AV as well as with Makrofol^® ID superlaser polycarbonate films. An integrated solution for passports will also be presented, consisting of a passport book cover and hinge using TPU films and a polycarbonate data page.

Georgios Tziovaras, Global Business Development Manager Identification in the Specialty Films business entity, will give two presentations on these and other developments at the accompanying conference: a speed talk on November 30 at 5:00 pm (CET) and a presentation on December 1 at noon.

More comfortable and sustainable wearables

Wearable patch sensors (smart patches) are enjoying increasing popularity, as they offer a wide range of options for medical diagnosis. Current trends include enhanced convenience, even more functions, and ongoing miniaturization. What's more, the public is demanding more sustainable solutions and a move away from disposable products. Together with its partner , ����AV has developed a smart patch consisting of two elements: The disposable patch, which contains the sensors, and the ReUse patch, which contains the electronics. This makes it possible to reuse the valuable electronic parts.

Efficient production of wound dressings

The production of wound dressings and plasters, as well as medical wearables, involves a multi-stage process. The combination of a polypropylene (PP) backing with blown films from the Platilon® range made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), in particular, is now proving to be well suited to satisfying today's high demands for process efficiency and ease of use in wound care. In comparison to the production of paper backings, the generation of dust in the production process is significantly reduced.

Breathable wound dressings to prevent bedsores

In the case of prolonged disease progression, it is important to prevent bedsores (pressure ulcers). ����AV has developed a concept for a prevention dressing that addresses the three most important factors for bedsores: Pressure, friction and shear. A highly breathable prototype is made exclusively from ����AV polyurethane materials.

The key features of this prototype wound care dressing made from Baymedix® and Platilon® materials are:

• Optimized friction, shear and pressure management
• Excellent moisture management to support a healthy microclimate
• Application- and skin-friendly polyurethane adhesive
• Efficient and sustainable manufacturing technology

Extra matte films for increased wear comfort

The PP backings can also be combined with multilayer Platilon® TPU films, for example, to achieve individual properties such as a specific surface finish. TPU blown films offer a wide range of surface qualities from silky to extra matte. In particular, Platilon® XM films offer an extra matte, skin-like surface and a soft feel that offers increased comfort for patients. Medical products made with the low-friction Platilon® XM films adhere to the skin longer because friction against textiles is minimized. This, in turn, prevents premature changes of dressings and plasters. Owing to its soft surface feel, the film feels like a second skin. It is used in wound dressings, plasters and other medical products that require high breathability.

High-quality breast implants require high packaging standards

Breast implants must be treated with the utmost care, from manufacture and transport to visual inspection before surgery. The packaging must be particularly shock-resistant, transparent, and highly sterile. Makrofol® MA507 and MA336 polycarbonate films are able to achieve the necessary impact resistance and transparency. They also withstand superheated steam sterilization at 120 and more degrees Celsius without damage. ����AV also offers films for packaging orthopedic implants.

One particularly sensational application is the possibility of superimposing changing information on the edge of corrective lenses for eyeglasses. This turns ordinary visual aids into smart data glasses. For instance, wearers of data glasses or head-mounted displays can communicate with experts remotely during inspections or service work, while keeping their hands free for work.

META is presenting itself at the show as a one-stop shop for advanced optical components: "We are pleased to present a range of smart applications that can be embedded in correction lenses for augmented reality (AR) glasses," said George Palikaras, president and CEO of META. "Our collaboration with ����AV enables us to offer highly functional, advanced materials and proprietary systems for high-volume production from a single source."

META's one-stop-shop approach, combined with ����AV's Bayfol^® HX technology, offers a number of benefits for OEMs. A wide variety of holographic optical solutions can be realized with a wide range of material thicknesses and formats. "The strength of our strategic collaborative effort is based on the versatility of combining Bayfol^® HX films with META's ARfusion™ lens casting technology," emphasizes Moritz Winterstein, Head of Growth Ventures Specialty Films at ����AV. The eyeglass lenses, including the volume holographic elements, can be produced in high volumes and cost-effectively - thanks to roll-to-roll coating and deposition technologies as well as state-of-the-art plastic processing. META and ����AV cater to the entire value chain, from optical design and material selection, to mass production and integration.

"With this expansion in capacity, we are strengthening our Dormagen site as a production and competence center for specialty films," says Dr. Klaus Schäfer, Chief Technology Officer at ����AV. "At the same time, we are investing in future-oriented technologies and applications."

The new lines will mainly produce multilayer flat films. These products, for example, play an important role in identity documents in order to embed security features and ensure the best possible protection against counterfeiting. They are also used in medical technology and car interiors.

Equipped for the future

Michael Friede, Global Head of the Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties segment: "These high-quality products and applications represent an important future business for ����AV. With the new capacities and their integration into our film center, we are emphasizing our proximity to the customer and our service."

"Our new production lines are equipped with state-of-the-art technology," emphasizes Dr. Thorsten Dreier, Global Head of ����AV’s Specialty Films and Thermoplastic Polyurethanes business. "That’s why we can now supply our customers faster and with higher quality. We also want to improve our development work and bring new products to market even faster."

Competence centers close to customers

The competence center in Dormagen houses production, a technical center for film processing, as well as a showroom and research laboratories. ����AV operates two other German competence centers for semi-finished products in Leverkusen and Bomlitz, as well as several competence centers worldwide.

As a further measure of the global investment program, ����AV started up a new production facility for polycarbonate films in Map Ta Phut, Thailand, last year. Previously, a coextrusion film plant in Guangzhou, China, was converted for the future and the efficiency and quality of production in South Deerfield, USA, were improved.

Smart patches should be as small, flexible, and unnoticeable as possible in order to offer patients a high level of comfort. The newly developed solution consists of two elements: a non-reusable element (the Disposable Patch) including sensors that is applied to the skin with an adhesive and used only once, and a reusable element, the ReUse Patch, which houses all the electronics, for example the measurement technology, power supply, data processing, radio transmission and if desired an optical camera.

High comfort, ease of use, efficient manufacturing

Thanks to ����AV materials and to integrated film sensors, the wearable patches are very lightweight, thin and flexible, and fit well to the surface of your body – you can hardly feel them. Polyurethane adhesives made from Baymedix® raw materials are skin-friendly and offer low trauma when removed from the skin. Various sensors are integrated in the patch to determine vital signs, for example pulse, pressure or temperature. Here, sensor integration is achieved by using special Platilon® films in combination with a thermoformable foam based on Baymedix®. All these materials are breathable and can be efficiently processed with roll-to-roll technology.

Removing and inserting the ReUse Patch into the Disposable Patch couldn’t be easier – thanks to an ideal combination of materials and function. accensors particularly developed a film sensor that forms the interface between the smart patch and the patient and can be equipped with varied sensors.

Smart patches are already widely used for medical diagnosis, for example, to measure a patient’s blood sugar levels, body temperature, or heart rate. The observation of disease patterns such as skin cancer or chronic wounds is also possible. Many other applications are emerging in sports and recreation. ����AV is contributing to the further dissemination of these innovative products through customer-oriented developments.

Bayfol® HX film from ����AV is a transparent and thin film featuring a light-sensitive, self-developing photopolymer. It is ideal for the reproducible production of highly efficient volume holograms. Throughout their collaboration to date, the two partners have customized the film to meet the specific requirements of this application.

New generation of display applications in vehicles

This transparent display solution enables new line-of-sight applications in automobiles and commercial vehicles that provides drivers, passengers and pedestrians with a safer and more pleasant experience on the road than before while still achieving the quality, price levels and production volumes demanded by automotive OEMs.

“Ceres Holographics has been testing how to harness the unique properties of our Bayfol® HX film for holographic transparent display applications for years, and has produced outstanding results,” said Yuen-Ling Lok, Head of Commercial Operations, Holographic LightGuiding at ����AV. “We intend to continue working with our partner in the emerging supply chain to commercialize this film in the mobility segment. The project is yet another example of how customers are increasingly asking for specialized solutions. We are happy to support them in this journey.”

Strong demand from OEMs

“Our partnership with ����AV has enabled us to respond to the strong demand for cost-effective and easy-to-implement transparent display solutions in the automotive and commercial vehicle sectors,” said Andy Travers, Chief Executive Officer of Ceres Holographics. “We specialize in the design, mastering and reproduction of thin film HOEs. Our digitally-mastered HOEs feature full color and a wide vision field, yielding precision-engineered optical performance and functionality in windscreens and windows at prices that the market demands.”

Ceres holographic transparent display technology has already been successfully demonstrated in OEM prototypes, enabling full-color display of information on front, side and rear car windows. Ceres is currently involved in go-to-market programs with several global commercial vehicle and automotive OEMs targeting production dates between 2022 and 2025.

"The world is changing rapidly – this also brings new challenges for ID documents," says Henry Leung, global head of the Identification segment in the Specialty Films division at ����AV. "The global trend is increasingly to take advantage of the best of two worlds, physical and digital identity. A perfect ID would be based on a balance of security, fast identification, durability and efficiency." At this year's Identity Week virtual conference, ����AV is introducing a new, integrated passport concept with a passport cover, polycarbonate data page and hinge.

Security features for fast and efficient checks

����AV is shareholder of the French start-up company (C.S.T) and makes use of its Optical Variable Material (O.V.M) technology. ����AV has developed its Makrofol^® ID O.V.M color shifting polycarbonate film for clear window and transparent areas in polycarbonate ID documents. In conjunction with the film, the O.V.M technology enables completely new color-shifting effects for security features in levels 1, 2 and 3, which makes ID documents more forgery-resistant, easier to inspect, remember and verify. The Makrofol^® ID O.V.M polycarbonate film can be integrated into existing ID document manufacturing processes without the need for further modifications.

There is also strong demand for ID documents that show only low fluorescence under UV radiation. To meet this demand, ����AV has developed the polycarbonate film Makrofol^® ID Low Fluorescence, which enables a consistently low level of fluorescence to be achieved for polycarbonate ID cards and ID pages. The film can also be used to achieve a level 2 security feature for laser-engraved tactile characters. This provides additional counterfeit protection that can be easily verified when checking ID documents.

Effective protection of passport chip and antenna

The innovative passport cover is scratch and tear resistant and contains Platilon^® ID films made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). They contribute to better protection of the embedded chip and antenna within the eCover. These innovative passport covers can be equipped with various security features and produced in different surface textures and colors.

Such TPU films can also be applied in a passport hinge application. This creates a flexible passsport hinge that bonds well with the polycarbonate data page films and offers increased tear resistance when passports are opened and closed frequently.

Polycarbonate data page – doing more with less

����AV also already offers its so-called Superlaser technology to increase counterfeit protection. It is based on a composite of three particularly laser-reactive layers within a single polycarbonate film, saving energy and time during laser engraving while yielding a very high-contrast image. In addition, thin high opaque white Makrofol^® ID polycarbonate films from ����AV unite the advantages of accommodating sophisticated designs for clear windows and transparent areas in ID documents together with simplified production processes.

On this topic, ����AV experts Henry Leung and Georgios Tziovaras, together with Gautier Alloyez, Managing Director at C.S.T, are organizing a discussion at Identity Week 2020 on November 17, 2020, from 4.10 p.m. CET.

“With this additional production line using state-of-the-art technology, we are investing in future growth in the Asia-Pacific markets, which are very important to us," says Sucheta Govil, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at ����AV. "At the same time, we are responding to the rapidly growing demand for specialty films in this region and are supporting the expansion of promising technologies and industries.”

More intensive customer service

Dr. Thorsten Dreier, Global Head of Specialty Films, sees advantages in customer service: "The new production line is important to us because it enables faster market launches and at the same time expands our market access in Asia-Pacific. Our most important goal is to intensify our cooperation with customers in the region and to increase our efficiency. We intend to drive growth in the plastic film business with innovations and a stronger customer focus.”

����AV has been operating a production facility for specialty films in Thailand since 2007. The range comprises polycarbonate films from the Makrofol® range and Bayfol® products made from polycarbonate blends. The new line is equipped with the latest technology and operates very efficiently.

As a further measure in the investment program to expand film production, ����AV has already converted a coextrusion film plant in Guangzhou, China, for the future. At the South Deerfield site in the USA, the efficiency and quality of film production was also improved. The next milestone will be the expansion of films production in Dormagen, where the company is currently building up new coextrusion capacities. This project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2020.

“In particular, a high-quality and individual design has considerable influence on consumers' buying decisions while providing car manufacturers opportunities for brand differentiation,” explained Jochen Hardt, Global Marketing Mobility in the Polycarbonates segment at ����AV, in a live webcast to journalists. “Here, the focus is on the design of surfaces using colors, optics and haptics, with light effects and functions. Products from ����AV open up almost unlimited possibilities.”

Jack of all trades polycarbonate

Plastics such as the polycarbonate Makrolon^® and the polycarbonate blends Bayblend^® and Makroblend^® are lightweight and robust and ensure good thermal and electrical insulation. They can be used to implement a wide range of design solutions, with glass-like surfaces, many colors and options for integrating displays, sensors and cameras.

Wafer-thin layers of natural materials such as wood and marble will play a vital role in the car interior of the future. On the surface of injection-molded components made of the polycarbonate Makrolon^® Ai (derived from "Automotive interior"), they are ideal for creating a feel-good ambience.

Good mood with lighting effects

With lighting, the effects can be enhanced even further. One example is the floor in the prototype car interior concept: Here, light from a polycarbonate part shines through a wafer-thin layer of marble. This effect could also be created by coating it with a digitally printed film.

But the high transparency of polycarbonate itself can also be used to create lighting effects, for example by illuminating the background or edges. The light can be dynamic and communicative, but also atmospheric, relaxing and cozy. ����AV anticipates growing demand for increasingly personalized lighting experiences and functions.

Polycarbonate also forms the basis for continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites called Maezio®. The unidirectional arrangement of the fibers lends the surface a special aesthetic effect. In addition, the seat shells made from it and a new space-saving table are very light and exceptionally robust.

More sustainable coatings

The use of paints and coatings in car interiors is also multifaceted. Many colors as well as optical and haptic effects are possible here. ����AV was a pioneer in the development of water-based coatings with a very low content of volatile organic compounds (VOC). In the interior concept, the waterborne floor topcoat is based on the polyurethane (PU) raw materials Bayhydrol^® and Bayhydur^®, which give it durability and individuality. The aqueous INSQIN^® PU technology for textile coating is used in the headrests, instrument panel and seats.

����AV is also a pioneer in the use of predominantly organic-based PU raw materials such as the coating hardeners Desmodur^® eco N 7300 and Bayhydur^® eco 701-90 and the urethane acrylate dispersion Bayhydrol^® eco 2877.

Advantage of polyurethane

The floor of the interior has been completely redesigned with PU materials to create a pleasant and homelike setting. Baypreg^® is a two-component polyurethane system that is lighter than steel, providing significant advantages. The combination of Baypreg^® and glass fiber mats with core materials such as paper honeycomb or foamed polycarbonate enables a significant reduction in weight while providing high mechanical strength.

The Baynat^® PU system provides effective sound absorption. It makes self-supporting components possible and has long been used in vehicle headliners, but it is likely to play a particularly important role in the quiet electric car of the future when it comes to absorbing the noise of other passengers and the world outside. The soft Bayfit^® polyurethane system is recommended for even greater damping of noise and vehicle vibrations. It is usually foamed in cavities for this purpose.

Our Presskit

Find more information on the topic in our press kit!

Press Releases:

• Design variety in the car interior of the future
• Modular table concept for the car of the future
• Innovative lightweight construction concept for seat backs

Images:

Videos:

Press Kit
Press Releases about "Future Car Interior":

• "The automotive interior of the future: from display to vegan seat covers – ����AV and its partners develop a premium concept"
• "The reinvention of the display – The future of mobility: seamless and fully networked"
• "Get to your destination in peace and serenity – More privacy thanks to acoustic foams made from ����AV raw materials"
• "Innovative polyurethane synthetics thanks to INSQIN® technology – High quality, low environmental impact and customized design"

Images

“More and more customers are supporting sustainable products,” says Dr. Wieland Hovestadt, head of Research and Development in the Specialty Films division. "This is why research on bio-based products is an important priority for us." The increased use of alternative resources for in-house production is part of a long-term strategic program that ����AV is implementing as it fully commits to the circular economy.

Makrofol® EC has properties that are comparable in quality to standard polycarbonate films of the Makrofol® range. It also features improved chemical and weather resistance as well as increased abrasion resistance. The film is suitable for further processing in standard processes. For instance, it can be easily printed on, laminated, coated and can be formed by thermoforming or high pressure forming (HPF) processes. It can be used in applications in the electrical, consumer and automotive industries, as is typical for conventional polycarbonate films.

“With this step, we are strengthening our position as an innovation driver in special films for ID documents,” says Dr. Thorsten Dreier, Global Head of the Specialty Films business at ����AV. “With the new partnership and the introduction of Makrofol^® ID O.V.M^® films we are creating a new degree of security.” ����AV has many years of experience in the development and production of films for .

Cosimo Prete, President and founder of C.S.T, also welcomes the new strategic cooperation: “We value ����AV as a very innovative partner in the development of film solutions for the production of identification documents and look forward to working together in this growing market.”

Security features for easy contro

To prevent document attacks through forgery, manipulation and identity theft, ID documents such as ID Cards or passports are equipped with various security features. In routine ID checks, visible and haptic level 1 elements in particular are becoming increasingly important, as they can be checked quickly and without additional technical equipment.

����AV and C.S.T have been working together in this field since 2016. Last year, ����AV introduced the transparent Makrofol^® ID O.V.M^® film to the industry. The O.V.M® material technology creates a completely new color change effect, which is a very strong level 1 security feature. The new film can be integrated into existing card manufacturing processes without further modifications.

Breast implants are sensitive products that should arrive undamaged at the treating doctor or hospital after manufacture, sterilization and transport. ����AV's Makrofol^® MA507 polycarbonate film is well suitable for their packaging because it is highly transparent and allows the physician to reliably visually inspect the implant before unpacking it. It also provides stable protection for the valuable medical device. The comparable product Makrofol^® MA336 offers the same advantages, but also features a laminating film on it.

Both films are characterized by high tear and impact resistance. They can be easily thermoformed and are fully compatible with the demanding autoclave sterilization process, where they need to withstand temperatures of up to 163 degrees Celsius. Both materials meet the ISO 9001:2015 quality management standard and two ASTM standard specifications for implantable breast prosthesis certification.

At the trade fair from November 26-28, 2019 in Cannes, France, ����AV will be presenting innovative film solutions for passports at booth A045 under the motto “Rethinking the Passport”. These new materials meet the requirements of the next passport generation in terms of counterfeit protection, durability and more effective production processes. ����AV has many years of experience in the development and production of materials for ID documents.

Innovative films for secure passports and ID card concepts

Solutions with innovative Makrofol^® ID, Platilon^® ID and Dureflex^® ID specialty films now provide more space within the ID document and passport data pages to integrate additional security features into physical document elements and the digital chip for a secure identification of citizens.

In order to prevent document attacks through forgery, manipulation and identity theft, citizen ID documents are equipped with various security elements. This starts at the very beginning of document creation process with robust substrate materials and innovative security concepts to protect the physical and digital elements.

����AV experts will conduct presentations on the following topics at the and will also attend a round table session:

• Re-thinking passport concepts enabled by innovative specialty films”
  Tobias Kordt, Head of Specialty Films in the EMLA region
  Wednesday, November 27, 2019, 4:00 p.m., Innovation Stage
• Innovation unboxed – new concepts for passports and identification documents”
  Henry Leung, Global Segment Manager Identification in the Specialty Films Division
  Wednesday, November 27, 2019, 10:50 a.m., Innovation Stage
• Secure document and authentication” Georgios Tziovaras, Global Business Development Manager Identification in the Specialty Films Division
  Thursday, November 28, 2019, 12:30 p.m., Round Table Session

The National Institute for Astrophysics in Italy () is working on holographic optical elements based on volume holograms, which very effectively decompose the light of stars into their colors in order to study it spectroscopically. During many years of cooperation with the materials manufacturer ����AV its tailor-made Bayfol^® HX photopolymer films proved to be ideal for the reproducible production of highly efficient volume holograms in high-performance telescopes for very different and novel spectrometers for each of the cases realized to date. This allows periodic refractive index patterns to be flexibly inscribed into the volume of thin Bayfol^® HX films using an appropriate laser exposure setup. The starlight is diffracted very efficiently at this periodic refractive index pattern. This separates the starlight much more effectively into its spectral components than is known from a prism.

The new “reach for the stars”

“Thanks to these light-bearing photopolymer films, we were able to literally shift astronomical boundaries,” says Alessio Zanutta, Project Manager Holography at INAF – Astronomical Observatory of Brera. “In contrast to the materials previously used and available for the production of diffraction gratings and their processing limitations, volume holograms based on Bayfol^® HX enable a wide variety of diffraction grating geometries and very high combinability or integration with or into other optical elements. That opens the door to the realization of completely new spectrometers and consequently a completely new ´reach for the stars´.” For example, INAF has already succeeded in introducing the film into observatories worldwide with several instruments each in five high-performance telescopes. The oldest holographic optical element produced this way has been working reliably for over eight years.

Bayfol^® HX films consist of a transparent carrier film on which a light-sensitive layer and an additional protective outer film are placed. They are manufactured on an industrial scale. In Bayfol^® HX, volume holograms can be imprinted in the films in a user-friendly, purely optical manner and reproducibly, without any chemical pre-treatment or post-treatment.

Wide range of applications

“Our photopolymer films can be successfully used in demanding applications such as spectrometers in high-performance telescopes for astronomy. They are, of course, particularly suitable for many consumer applications,” explains Friedrich-Karl Bruder, Head of Application Development Holography. These include transparent windshield displays, innovative holographic car lighting, forgery-proof documents, smart and augmented reality glasses, as well as cockpit use to protect pilots from laser attacks from the ground.

Canada-based start-up North is a pioneer in this market by launching the first commercial smart glasses called Focals^® that look like everyday glasses. One of the many challenges with developing such complex devices is not sacrificing form factor for functionality, thus maintaining the appearance of standard glasses. ����AV’s Bayfol^® HX products offer cutting edge solutions to enable high performing yet design-appealing smart glass products.

Since the inception of Focals^®, ����AV has been the strategic supplier of tailored materials for North’s diffractive optical solutions. “North is engaging with ����AV in development efforts involving the use of certain ����AV customized photopolymer films, to obtain excellent optical performance and outstanding cosmetic appearance in seethrough AR applications on North devices,” said Stefan Alexander, Vice President, Advanced R&D at North.

Extended battery life through photopolymer films

A challenge with all mobile computing platforms is battery life, which ����AV’s photopolymer helps maximize. "In mobile applications where battery life is decisive, low energy consuming devices can be realized with Bayfol^® HX film," explained Dr. Friedrich-Karl Bruder, Head of Application Development Holographic LightGuiding at ����AV. “This is due to the distinct feature of volume holograms recorded into our film that allows a high diffraction efficiency for light guiding and light redirection which can be tuned to almost 100 percent.”

Thanks to its long-standing expertise, ����AV is well positioned to provide innovative solutions in holography technology and photopolymer chemistry. "Our experience built over the past decade enables solutions for specific requirements,” said Thomas Roelle, Head of Raw Materials for Holographic LightGuiding at ����AV. “����AV’s infrastructure is set up to translate complex optical needs into viable material solutions on an industrial scale."

The Invisalign system from Align Technology is a clear aligner system for straightening teeth, and the most advanced clear aligner treatment available. It is available through Invisalign trained dentists and orthodontists.

Align Technology pioneered the clear aligner orthodontic segment 22 years ago with the launch of the system. Through continuous innovation, the Invisalign system is a leading solution in the field of clear aligner orthodontics.

At the ����AV booth (Stand A 75 in Hall 6), visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about Align Technology’s cutting-edge innovations, as well as view interactive videos, see and touch sample aligners.

On October 18, 2019 at 12:00-12:30 pm at the ����AV booth, Markus Sebastian, Senior Vice President & Managing Director at Align Technology EMEA, will deliver a keynote address, followed by a discussion about the Invisalign system.

The Invisalign System with SmartTrack material

The patented SmartTrack material, used to produce Invisalign clear aligners is a multilayer, highly elastic, transparent material, jointly developed with ����AV, designed specifically for the Invisalign system to achieve more predictable orthodontic treatments*.

The multi-layer, transparent material, engineered over a span of eight years with more than 260 material variations developed and evaluated, exerts gentle, constant force that enables doctors to better control tooth movements.

Orthodontic treatment with clear aligners is preceded by a patient assessment by the treating doctor who takes a digital scan or manual impression of a patient’s teeth. A digital treatment plan is then created and – once approved by the doctor – the individual aligners are produced and shipped. The treatment plan is digitally staged, and custom-made digital aligners are manufactured so that the patient's malpositioned teeth are corrected in small steps to a better smile. The patient is required to change the aligners at regular intervals as directed by the doctor, and take them out for eating and drinking.

Comfort and functionality

“The Invisalign system with SmartTrack material, SmartForce^® features and SmartStage^® technology enables tooth misalignments to be corrected with greater than 75 percent improvement** in overall tooth movement predictability,” said Zelko Relic, Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President, Global R&D at Align Technology. “This clear, highly elastic material makes Invisalign aligners easily inserted and removed by patients of all ages, from growing patients who have a mixture of primary and permanent teeth, to teens and adults.”

“The Invisalign system with patented SmartTrack material is a combination of an individual, digitally planned treatment and individually customized aligners by thermoforming films, which are manufactured by ����AV,” said Dr. Thorsten Dreier, Global Head of Specialty Films at ����AV, the SmartTrack supplier to the Invisalign system. “Thanks to our joint materials research with Align Technology, we're providing foundation for a new, bright smile for millions of new patients across Europe and worldwide.”

Align Technology Senior Vice President and Managing Director, EMEA, Markus Sebastian, adds: “I would like to thank ����AV for inviting us to be part of this exciting showcase here at the K 2019 Trade Show in Düsseldorf. I am looking forward to sharing our cutting-edge technology that has enabled Invisalign trained doctors to create beautiful smiles for over 7 million people worldwide, including over 1 million patients in the EMEA region.”

*/** Data on file, Align Technology.

In addition to digitalization, the UN goals for sustainable development will especially influence the economy and society in the coming years. ����AV is determined to realize these sustainability goals at many levels. Meeting them is not only a prerequisite for a better, cleaner and healthier world, but also has great long-term economic potential

Change to circular economy indispensable

“Megatrends such as climate protection and population growth require a fundamental rethink in lifestyle and consumer behavior, not to mention in global production,” CEO Dr. Markus Steilemann said to journalists. “We need a complete transition from a throwaway to a circular economy in order to handle limited resources more responsibly and protect the climate.”

����AV is committed to establishing new material cycles throughout the entire process chain with a view to making a tangible contribution to achieving this major goal. “We have set up a comprehensive and long-term program which will also open up new opportunities for value creation,” Steilemann explained. “High-quality plastics are and will remain drivers for sustainability and for overcoming global challenges. However, it is crucial to decouple the economic growth achieved from the consumption of fossil resources such as crude oil.”

Turning away from crude oil

A key aspect for developing a circular economy in the plastics and chemical industry is the closure of the carbon cycle through the recycling of raw materials. “In the long term, we want to do as much as possible without fossil resources and use alternative sources such as waste, plants and CO₂ instead,” said Steilemann. “In particular, used plastics are a valuable resource. That's why we want to work with partners to intensively develop innovative recycling methods,” said the ����AV CEO. Under no circumstances should plastic waste be allowed to enter the environment uncontrolled for longer. The industry is working intensively worldwide for better waste management – for example in the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, of which ����AV is a member.

Given its importance, the company is dedicating a special Theme Day to Circular Economy at its booth on Wednesday, October 23. External and in-house experts present practical examples and discuss with visitors. At the ����AV booth, these will also find many examples of products and technologies that can help close material cycles in various industries.

����AV is one of the pioneers in the use of the exhaust gas CO₂ as a new raw material. A team from ����AV and RWTH Aachen University is now in the final round of the German President´s Award for the development of a corresponding process. Exhibits based on this technology will be specially featured at the booth. With modern materials and technologies, the company also supports the supply of energy from renewable sources.

Digitalization as a growth driver

Another driving force for the development of the economy and society in the coming years is the ongoing digitalization. ����AV wants to take advantage of the resulting opportunities and has started a comprehensive strategic program, which focuses on the customer. To this end, the company is anchoring digital technologies and processes along the value chain – from the supply chain through production, research and all interfaces to customers to the development of new business models. Various developments and exhibits at K 2019 as well as a separate Theme Day on Tuesday, October 22, underscore the great importance of digitalization for ����AV and its customers.

A stage for visitors

“We cordially invite all visitors to K 2019 to our booth in hall 6,” says Booth Manager Dr. Ulrich Liman. “We will be providing them a stage for discussions on their themes and wishes. They will also find products and technologies for important key industries.”

“A special experience awaits visitors in our ‘Sample Parcours’,” explains Liman. “There they can get to know materials and patterns through their senses, through seeing, feeling and hearing, but also in a playful manner. For example, join our Life Cycle Wheel and learn more about the circular economy! Or test your knowledge of plastics on our Quiz Machine.”

Theme Days from Automotive to Science

On each of the eight days of the fair, visitors can experience how ����AV is pushing boundaries on a different main theme. Lectures and discussions with experts from industry and academia will serve to deepen the topic and promote personal exchange.

All journalists are cordially invited to visit ����AV's press center at the A 75 exhibition booth gallery in Hall 6. You will have the opportunity to talk about the innovations and topics on display and receive the ����AV press kit for K 2019. On request, we would also be happy to give tours of the booth or arrange interviews.

Automotive (October 16)

The highlight of ����AV's trade fair appearance is a comprehensive interior concept for future mobility: trends such as autonomous driving, electric drive and car sharing make the automobile a multifunctional, mobile living and working space. It's all about functionality, comfort and design, not least also about efficiency. ����AV has developed the concept together with important partners along the automotive value chain. The main features are newly designed surfaces, the integration of ambient lighting, the latest infotainment systems and forward-looking seating concepts. On Wednesday, 16 October, the company will dedicate a special Theme Day to the automotive industry.

Science Celebration (October 17)

The second day of K 2019 is dedicated to current and outstanding research findings in polymer science. The highlight will be the presentation of the ����AV Science Award to a professor in the presence of invited guests from the world of science. The prize consists of a three-year doctoral fellowship to promote young scientists in materials research at universities. In addition, a researcher from ����AV will be awarded the ����AV Science Medal for outstanding scientific developments.

Start-up Challenge (October 20)

With the Start-up Challenge, ����AV aims to promote the creativity and entrepreneurial thinking of its employees and find the best business idea of 2019. The winners of the first competition will be chosen at the trade fair: they will be able to work as founders, implement their ideas and test their marketability. In return, they will receive start-up financing of up to one million euros, be released from their jobs for up to one year and can work within the company as start-ups. The ideas of the six finalist teams are focused on the development of the circular economy.

Local talent search

At K 2019, ����AV also will be presenting itself as an attractive employer to students, junior employees and experienced professionals. Curious jobseekers will find the right person to answer all their questions at the Career Bar.

"The car of the future is fully networked and is seamlessly integrated into everyday life, where it provides the user with new experiences and the greatest possible autonomy," said Jochen Hardt from Global Marketing Mobility at ����AV. At the unveiling of the prototype, the project manager added: "Modern materials and technologies have paved the way for this. ����AV is a leading player here. In cooperation with partners, we keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible."

The concept focuses equally on functionality, comfort and design, but also on efficiency and light weight. The focus is on multi-sensor infotainment systems, innovative seating concepts, smart surfaces and personalized lighting. High-tech materials from ����AV open up a kaleidoscope of new possibilities for many different components. A selection of the developments is presented below.

The highlight: a large multifunctional display

Special emphasis is placed on a seamlessly integrated, three-dimensional multifunctional display – a large-format visual experience for the user, made possible by the high optical quality of Makrolon^® Ai polycarbonate and Makrofol^® polycarbonate film. A sophisticated combination of In Mold Decoration (IMD) and Film Insert Molding (FIM) provides for the surface design and durability. The latest Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) support passenger communication with the car and the outside world. Such polycarbonate films may also serve as a moldable carrier for printed electronics, enabling the integration of additional functions.

In the car exhibit at K 2019, ����AV will also present functional surfaces with premium look and feel. In addition to the use of polycarbonates and the INSQIN^® technology for textile coating, the particular appeal lies in the combination of unusual materials such as wood, stone and aluminum.

New seating concepts for future mobility

As the classic function of the driver's seat is no longer required, the car interior can be given a new look and design. Not only should the seats be comfortable, they should also offer enough flexibility to expand the interior space. An integrated and individually configurable lighting system ensures comfort and safety and enables car manufacturers to differentiate their brands.

Here, too, ����AV materials are trailblazers for the properties and advantages mentioned, for example polycarbonate composites of the Maezio™ brand. In the seats, they provide a new aesthetic appeal and robust structure, while Makrofol^® films combine design and functionality. The vegan and waterbased INSQIN^® technology for textile coating offers the same attractive appearance as leather, but at lower cost and with reduced solvent emissions. Here, the possibility of allowing light to shine through the coated surface and creating a completely new type of ambient lighting is attractive.

Flexible table construction

Together with partners, ����AV has developed a lightweight table that is tailored to new usage habits in autonomous vehicles and offers a lot of flexibility. The prototype shown at K 2019 is made of Maezio™ composite material and convinces due to its thin-walled construction, aesthetics and stability. The table can be designed to be foldable so that it can be stowed between the rear seats to save space.

The new movable Privacy Dome is designed to protect users' privacy. A sound-absorbing acoustic foam based on the Baynat^® polyurethane system provides each passenger with individual peace and quiet, independent of other passengers and the outside world. In addition, passengers can enjoy relaxing sounds such as the soothing sound of waves on the beach.

The shoes satisfy the wishes of athletically active people for a healthy lifestyle, improved performance and individuality. Various material solutions from ����AV are worked in a seamless design, exemplifying the individual benefits of each material: INSQIN^® water-based polyurethane (PU) textile coatings and adhesives, PU foams, textile fibers and films made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and Maezio™ continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites (CFRTP).

“For me new materials are one of the most powerful driving forces for creative shoe design and for exploring new possibilities,” says Axis Liu. “Therefore, I appreciate the know-how of the experts at ����AV and I will continue to benefit from this in the future.” The cooperation between Liu and the ����AV team resulted in athletic shoe concepts that set standards in many respects: they are highly sustainable and light, yet extremely durable. They provide increased foot stability and help to compensate for the forces acting on the feet, in order to achieve improved athletic performance.

Running shoe with 3D-printed midsole

For the design of the running shoe, Axis Liu was inspired by a traditional figure from Chinese arts and craft: the “Multilayer Carved Ball” which has a dynamic structure handmade up of several layers. On the running shoe, the dynamic, extraordinary structure of the midsole was produced by a 3D printer.

Because running shoes are often worn outdoors for several hours at a time, it is particularly important for the upper material to be water resistant and breathable. This functionality is achieved on the concept running shoes by using a special INSQIN^® coating.

Conventional adhesives based on Dispercoll^® U dispersions join together the individual athletic shoe components securely, easily and efficiently. This water-based adhesive technology helps conserve energy and resources. It also contributes to making athletic shoe production more sustainable.

Basketball shoe with good shock absorption

During development of the basketball shoe, however, the designer drew inspiration from the world of toys and the modular construction often found there. Of course, his designs also took into consideration that the feet and bodies of basketball players are strained in different ways than those of runners.

In accordance with the different requirements of both sports, there are also differences in the individual components of the materials used. For example, the midsole of the basketball shoe was made using in-mold foaming and contains expanding TPU (ETPU), which provides good shock absorption and at the same time features particularly high restoring forces. This enhances performance for the jumping and quick acceleration that are common in basketball.

Both shoes use the newly developed Maezio™ carbon fiber-reinforced TPU (CFRTP), which is very light, but also extremely stiff and torsion resistant. This unique material combination offers a high degree of design freedom and a strong aesthetic appeal with unique, unidirectional carbon fiber optics; in addition, it is recyclable.

Other materials and their function

Apart from that there are many similarities between the two concept athletic shoes:

• The uppers of both shoes contain TPU fibers. These are highly resistant to abrasion and tearing, yet they feel extremely comfortable.
• The running shoe upper is applied with screen printing. This is the printing solution using INSQIN^® technology which is now used by world-leading manufacturers and brand owners. It provides a visual-haptic effect and improves the performance of design and manufacture.
• The Shoe tongue label with Chinese Character “聚”(jù) is applied using a TPU hot-melt film with good printability. 聚” means gather together, it demonstrates how well films of brand names Dureflex^® and Platilon^® adhere to textile materials with soft surface feel.
• Insoles made of viscoelastic PU foam effectively absorb mechanical loads.

About ����AV:

With 2018 sales of EUR 14.6 billion, ����AV is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, construction, wood processing and furniture, and electrical and electronics industries. Other sectors include sports and leisure, cosmetics, health and the chemical industry itself. ����AV has 30 production sites worldwide and employs approximately 16,800 people (calculated as full-time equivalents) at the end of 2018.

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Forward-looking statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by ����AV. 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 ����AV’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.

At Booth D46 in Hall 13, material solutions for flexible medical electronic patches based on Platilon^® and Baymedix^® polyurethane materials will be presented, as well as new solutions for on-body drug delivery devices made of Makrolon^® polycarbonate and Bayblend^® blends.

A growth market: electronic patches

Electronic patches are already being used in many areas such as patient monitoring, and with the increasing digitization of healthcare, market demand for such products is growing rapidly.

In the field of flexible materials, applications such as electroencephalograms (EEG), maternity belts, blood pressure measuring tapes and individual electrocardiograms (ECG) are at the heart of the markets that ����AV is targeting. ����AV will therefore show prototypes made of its flexible integrated materials:

• Soft, breathable and stretchable Platilon^® films for outstanding patient comfort
• Printable substrates for printed electronics
• Skin- and application-friendly adhesive systems based on Baymedix^® materials
• Weldable foams based on Baymedix^® for safe use of electronics

Plastics for on-body equipment

In addition to flexible materials, ����AV also offers the ideal materials for wearables with hard covers that are required for mobile drug delivery devices or sensitive diagnostic devices, for example. Makrolon^® polycarbonate medical grades meet the requirements for excellent dimensional stability and outstanding mechanical properties and enable the development of safe, patient-friendly devices. Thanks to its high degree of transparency and good surface texture, Makrolon^® also provides a wide range of design options such as the integration of LED light guides. Polycarbonate blends such as Bayblend^® (PC+ABS blends) and Makroblend^® (PC+PBT blends) meet additional customer requirements.

����AV expert Dr. Ulrike Lützow will give a lecture on "Wearable Housings: Material solutions between medicine and electronics" on November 19, 2019.

Innovative concept for wound prevention

����AV will be presenting innovations in the field of wound management at Booth H30 in Hall 8b. The company has developed a design study for wound prevention that deals with the three most important factors for bedsore (decubitus): Pressure, friction and shear. A highly breathable prototype is being manufactured exclusively from polyurethane materials from ����AV.

The main features of this prototype wound prevention dressing made of Baymedix^® and Platilon^® materials are:

• Optimized friction, shear and pressure management
• Excellent moisture management to support a healthy microclimate
• Application- and skin-friendly polyurethane adhesive
• Efficient and sustainable manufacturing technology

Components based on these products help increase both cost and manufacturing efficiency by allowing roll-to-roll processing and inline production of all layers. During processing, thermoplastic welding of the edges is possible. Moreover, the process is energy-saving and environmentally compatible because production steps are reduced.

In the course of the Compamed Suppliers Forum ����AV expert Dr. Marc-Stephan Weiser will present the design study for focused wound prevention on November 20, 2019, at 3.30 pm in Hall 8b.

About ����AV:

With 2018 sales of EUR 14.6 billion, ����AV is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, construction, wood processing and furniture, and electrical and electronics industries. Other sectors include sports and leisure, cosmetics, health and the chemical industry itself. ����AV has 30 production sites worldwide and employs approximately 16,800 people (calculated as full-time equivalents) at the end of 2018.

For more information please see www.covestro.com.
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Forward-looking statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by ����AV. 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 ����AV’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.

The films were awarded certification for Product Class I. This applies to articles with direct skin contact for infants and young children up to three years of age. This means that they are associated with the highest demands placed on the skin-compatibility of the products.

Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX^® is a globally uniform, independent testing and certification system for textile raw materials, intermediate and end products at all stages of processing. The test criteria and limit values often go far beyond national and international specifications. The certification guarantees high and effective product safety.

Absence of pollutants is also the maxim for other ����AV products and applications in the textile sector. For example, the company consistently focuses on aqueous, solvent-free raw materials in textile coatings and recently introduced Impranil^® DLN-SD, an aqueous polyurethane (PU) dispersion which according to initial findings facilitates production of biodegradable textile coatings.

About ����AV:

With 2018 sales of EUR 14.6 billion, ����AV is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, construction, wood processing and furniture, and electrical and electronics industries. Other sectors include sports and leisure, cosmetics, health and the chemical industry itself. ����AV has 30 production sites worldwide and employs approximately 16,800 people (calculated as full-time equivalents) at the end of 2018.

For more information please see www.covestro.com.
Follow us on Twitter:

Forward-looking statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by ����AV. 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 ����AV’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.

Visitors to the world’s premier fair for the plastics and rubber industry will find many examples of this presented by ����AV at Booth A75 in Hall 6. From October 16–23, 2019, products and technologies for the automotive, construction and electronics industries will be on display, but also innovative and functional applications in the health, furniture, sports and leisure sectors.

“In addition to the advancing digitalization, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals will be a driving force in society and the economy for the coming years,” said CEO Dr. Markus Steilemann to journalists. “Their fulfillment is not only imperative for a better, cleaner and healthier world, but also holds great economic potential in the long term,” explained the CEO. “����AV is determined to realize the UN sustainability goals at many levels.”

Industry pioneer

Steilemann named the development of a functioning circular economy and improved management of limited fossil resources, primarily crude oil, as central points for increased sustainability. “These are goals that will impact society as a whole and ����AV wants to contribute to this. Within our company, we want to establish material cycles along the entire value chain, from suppliers, to production and logistics, to the use of our products and their reuse,” explained Steilemann.

When recycling used plastics, it will be important to be able to exhaust all technical possibilities. “The relatively new method of chemical recycling is also an option, which requires additional support,” said the CEO.

A key aspect for developing a circular economy in the plastics and chemical industry is closing the carbon cycle with recycled resources. Here, plant waste and increasingly CO₂ are worth considering as alternatives to fossil resources. ����AV has already achieved numerous successes in these areas. “We want to become a pioneer on the path toward a future without fossil-based resources and emphasize our claim to leadership in the industry,” stressed Steilemann.

Digitalization creates added value

Another driving force is the advancing digitalization. ����AV wants to take advantage of the resulting opportunities and has started a comprehensive program, which focuses on the customer. To accomplish this, the company is incorporating digital technologies and processes into production, the supply chain, research and development, at all customer contact points and in new business model development. Various topics and exhibits at K 2019 underline how important digitalization is for the company, which hopes to set standards in this field in the plastics and chemical industry.

The examples below give an impression of the wide range of developments that ����AV will present at K 2019.

Completely networked society

One important requirement for future mobility and the digitalization of all areas of life and business is the new transmission technology 5G. To build the infrastructure for it, ����AV is working together with and the Umeå Institute of Design to develop innovative material solutions for base stations, antennas and other system components. ����AV is also working on a multi-layered film solution in conjunction with a new manufacturing process for the backs of smartphone bodies. Unlike conventional metal elements, these polycarbonate films are permeable to high-frequency radiation.

Auto interior of the future

The highlight of the trade show exhibit is a comprehensive interior concept for future mobility. In line with the latest trend, it intends to turn car interiors into multi-functional, mobile living and working spaces. “We developed the concept together with key industrial and academic partners,” explained Jochen Hardt, marketing expert at ����AV and head of the project. “It involves functionality, comfort and design in equal measure, as well as efficiency.” The car of the future is fully networked and is seamlessly integrated into everyday life. Key design features are surfaces with a decorative look and feel, integrated ambient lighting, the latest infotainment systems and cutting-edge seating concepts.

Textiles with CO₂

Together with partners such as and various textile manufacturers, ����AV succeeded in producing elastic textile fibers from thermoplastic polyurethane with CO₂, and as a result partially replaced crude oil as the raw material. The starting point is an intermediate product called cardyon®, which is already used for the soft foam found in mattresses and the base layers of sports fields. The partners are currently working on developing production to industrial scale and want to introduce a material cycle that is based on sustainable resources to the textile and garment industry.

Renewable energies on the rise

In addition to promoting an efficient circular economy, ����AV is also committed to further expanding renewable energies, such as wind power. Cooperation with partners has led to the development of a polyurethane resin as well as a process technology, which makes it possible to manufacture wind turbine rotor blades efficiently and cost-effectively. The company just recently processed its first commercial order for this from China.

About ����AV:

With 2018 sales of EUR 14.6 billion, ����AV is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, construction, wood processing and furniture, and electrical and electronics industries. Other sectors include sports and leisure, cosmetics, health and the chemical industry itself. ����AV has 30 production sites worldwide and employs approximately 16,800 people (calculated as full-time equivalents) at the end of 2018.

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Forward-looking statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by ����AV. 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 ����AV’s public reports. These reports are available at www.covestro.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to make them conform to future events or developments.

"Our comprehensive concept includes developments, which may become reality in a few years, but it also includes visionary ideas for the future," explains Jochen Hardt, Global Marketing Mobility at ����AV and project manager for the new concept. "We are particularly focused on the interior design, which can be both living and working space in an autonomous vehicle, offering customized experiences to the user. Future vehicle concepts for electromobility offer car manufacturers opportunities for completely new room concepts and additionally open up a new ground for brand differentiation.”

Smart materials in the future car interior

The interior is equally a matter of functionality, comfort and design, but also of efficiency. The focus is on optically and haptically designed surfaces, the integration of ambient lighting, latest infotainment systems and novel seating concepts. High-tech materials from ����AV open up a kaleidoscope of new possibilities for many different components.

For example, Makrolon^® polycarbonates and their blends will play an important role in the interior of the future thanks to their outstanding properties. They are notable for their maximum design freedom, mechanical stability and low weight. In addition, they provide good thermal and electrical insulation. Makrolon^® enables a range of glass-like surfaces and up to various functional colors. This is important for the integration of future innovative displays, sensors, cameras and ambient lighting systems.

Maezio™ continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites from ����AV constitute a special class of composites. They are based on polycarbonate, but more robust and lightweight, due to reinforcement with carbon fibers, and are suitable e.g. for an efficient production of particularly thin-walled parts.

New dimension of infotainment

Makrofol^® polycarbonate films are used, for example, for printed, even three-dimensional large-scale cover plates for the integration of displays. The films also serve as carrier for printed electronics in touchscreens. The number of such display surfaces and touchscreens in car interiors will increase drastically due to the progressing digitalization and networking (connectivity) as well as the trend towards autonomous driving. The seamless integration of displays is also supported by a new generation of Makrolon^® AI polycarbonate materials.

����AV also offers a range of Platilon^® thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) films. Among other things, they are used as hotmelt films for bonding different materials like textiles. The sustainable INSQIN^® technology is used for textile coating in the car interior; it is based on solvent-free, waterborne polyurethane dispersions. Its use for the manufacture of coated textiles is efficient and saves water and energy, compared to conventional production.

Classic jack-of-all-trades: Polyurethane

Polyurethane is a classic but extremely versatile material for car interiors. In the form of soft or molded foam, it creates the basis for comfortable and safe car seats. Polyurethane foams have also been used for a long time in instrument panels, upholstery, trim parts and roof linings and provide comfort in the interior. With TPU coatings, surfaces can be created as desired – from particularly soft to hard.

Polyurethane coatings are also geared towards high-quality surfaces with adjustable properties. ����AV develops raw materials for robust and abrasion-resistant coatings, which are available in various colors and surface structures that protect underlying substrates and create a pleasant feel when touched. The company is also a pioneer in the formulation of aqueous coatings with low organic solvent content. Raw materials for polyurethane adhesives for solid and durable adhesive bonds round off the range.

Trendy exterior design for electric cars

At K 2016, ����AV for the first time dedicated itself to the mobility of the future on a larger scale and presented an integrated concept for the outer shell of electric cars. It was developed in close cooperation with design students from the renowned Umeå Institute of Design in Sweden and the automotive supplier HELLA. The development went beyond existing boundaries and offers new approaches for the attractive design of comfortable, functional and energy-efficient cars. The core elements are integrated sensors and antennas, holographic lighting, large-format display elements, 360-degree all-round glazing and seamless, homogeneous surfaces.

Groundbreaking achievements time and again

More than 50 years ago, still under the umbrella of Bayer, ����AV presented the first car with a complete plastic body at the plastics trade fair in Düsseldorf: the K 67. Since then, the company has repeatedly overcome the limits of the possible with innovative material solutions. Later milestones included the introduction of headlamps and automotive glazing, both made of the transparent polycarbonate Makrolon^®. ����AV was also a pioneer in coating raw materials for waterborne automotive fillers and base coats as well as for low-solvent polyurethane clear coats.

About ����AV:

With 2018 sales of EUR 14.6 billion, ����AV is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, construction, wood processing and furniture, and electrical and electronics industries. Other sectors include sports and leisure, cosmetics, health and the chemical industry itself. ����AV has 30 production sites worldwide and employs approximately 16,800 people (calculated as full-time equivalents) at the end of 2018.

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Forward-looking statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by ����AV. 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 ����AV’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.

With the installation of 5G, the demand for base stations, active antenna units (AAU) and other equipment will increase dramatically. ����AV is developing innovative and sustainable material solutions and contributing to a smart infrastructure, including sensor technologies and a digital communication environment. The company is cooperating closely with and the . ����AV will present some prototypes at . The project is part of the company´s comprehensive digitalization strategy. Together with its partners, the company is committed to achieving Goals 9 (Innovation and Infrastructure) and 11 (Sustainable Cities) of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

New telecommunications infrastructure

Polycarbonates and their blends have proven themselves in a wide range of electrical and electronic applications and, thanks to their outstanding properties, should also be the materials of choice for 5G technology: “They are mechanically robust, lightweight, transparent to radio frequencies and suitable for injection molding,” explains Fabian Grote, who is a core member of the global 5G team at ����AV. Some grades also show good weather resistance or thermal conductivity or are suitable for two-component injection molding and laser direct structuring (LDS).

To increase public acceptance of an expanded network of antennas and base stations, ����AV is working with students from the renowned Umeå Institute of Design and Deutsche Telekom to seamlessly integrate these technical facilities into the cities of the future. The project includes the development of attractive base stations, their color matching and surface structuring. Düsseldorf served as a reference city for the project.

Flexibility in antenna design

In this project ����AV will enter this market in a hypothetical scenario with its own product range. The actual product is the outer sheath of a third-party antenna, which is designed to adapt to specific environments by either fitting in or protruding from it, depending on the environment and population density. This is where the best potential can be exploited with products that deliver the technical requirements and either integrate or reinforce the character of a city with a 5G network. “At K 2019, we will be showing a series of technical and design prototypes for small cells in the frequency range of 3.5 GHz and 28 GHz,” says Grote.

When 5G technology progresses to higher frequency, e.g. the millimeter wave band, signal transmittance could become a design challenge. “We can help our customers to enjoy more design freedom while ensuring the 5G data transmittance performance with state-of-art testing capabilities in a broad frequency range of up to 50 GHz under a variety of environmental conditions, all in our Asia Pacific Innovation Center in Shanghai,” says Nan Hu, Global Head of Electronics at the Polycarbonates Segment of ����AV.

New film solution for 5G smartphones

5G technology, with its high transfer rates, will also have a significant impact on smartphone design. The antennas for 5G technology require more space. That is just one reason why metal solutions used to date for the back of devices will in future be replaced by ceramics, glass or plastics.

A Makrofol® SR multilayer film solution with acrylic top layer combined with a new manufacturing process results in mobile phone back covers that look like glass but are not fragile. “The film laminate can be formed in three dimensions, and the film solution also meets the requirements for transmission at high radio frequencies with wavelengths in the millimeter range,” explains Echol Zhao, Head of Specialty Films Greater China at ����AV.

This crystal clear, 3D formable and 5G compatible film material is specifically engineered for optimal design freedom for mobile phone brands to create fashionable mobile phones using decoration technologies such as UV patterning and non-conductive vacuum metallization (NCVM). More than 50 percent of the mobile phone market in China is currently switching to such multi-layer PC/PMMA film solutions – a sign of a promising future for the coming 5G era.

About ����AV:

With 2018 sales of EUR 14.6 billion, ����AV is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, construction, wood processing and furniture, and electrical and electronics industries. Other sectors include sports and leisure, cosmetics, health and the chemical industry itself. ����AV has 30 production sites worldwide and employs approximately 16,800 people (calculated as full-time equivalents) at the end of 2018.

For more information please see www.covestro.com.
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Forward-looking statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by ����AV. 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 ����AV’s public reports. These reports are available at www.covestro.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to make them conform to future events or developments.

"With this capacity expansion, we are strengthening the Dormagen site as a competence center for specialty films," said Dr. Klaus Schäfer, ����AV's Board Member for Production and Technology, at the laying of the cornerstone. "At the same time, we are investing in promising technologies and applications." The high-quality semi-finished products are used, among other things, in cars, in medical products and in security cards.

Michael Friede, global head of the Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties segment at ����AV, commented: "This investment underscores our strategic focus on such growth businesses. At the same time, the worldwide capacity increases are an expression of our proximity to customers and our increased efficiency in the major regions.”

Latest technology

����AV is equipping the production lines with the latest technology. "We want to remain the partner of choice for our customers and in the future we will be able to supply them faster and with higher quality," explained Dr. Thorsten Dreier, global head of ����AV's film business. "Together with other facilities at our competence center in Dormagen, they facilitate even better development work. We are currently working on many projects that are expected to be brought to market maturity even faster with the new plants."

The new lines are designed for the production of multi-layer flat films. These products, for example, play an important role in identity documents in order to embed security features and ensure the best possible protection against counterfeiting. They are also used in car interiors.

The competence center in Dormagen, which specializes in polycarbonate flat films, houses production, a technical center for film processing, a showroom and research laboratories. The other two German competence centers are located in Leverkusen and Bomlitz and specialize in film coating and thermoplastic elastomer films.

Global capacity expansion

The investment is part of a global capacity expansion announced last year to meet the growing demand in all regions and strengthen ����AV's position in the film market. The planned total investment of more than 100 million euros also includes an expansion of the associated infrastructure and logistics in order to shorten delivery times. A total of more than 100 new jobs are to be created worldwide.

Another new production line is currently under construction in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, Thailand, while the conversion of the coextrusion line in Guangzhou, China, is progressing and the first products are being delivered to customers. There, too, new film capacities will be subsequently built up. Film production in South Deerfield, USA, has now been expanded and converted to around-the-clock operation. This created 30 new jobs.

About ����AV:

With 2018 sales of EUR 14.6 billion, ����AV is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, construction, wood processing and furniture, and electrical and electronics industries. Other sectors include sports and leisure, cosmetics, health and the chemical industry itself. ����AV has 30 production sites worldwide and employs approximately 16,800 people (calculated as full-time equivalents) at the end of 2018.

Find more information at www.covestro.com.
Follow us on Twitter:

Forward-looking statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by ����AV. 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 ����AV’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.