“We are honored to be recognized as a Top Employer in China for seven years in a row. This achievement underscores our employee-focused approach and ongoing efforts to create an inclusive, supportive and empowering workplace,” said Holly Lei, President of ����AV China.

In 2024, ����AV China introduced several initiatives to foster leadership and employee growth. The “Manager Enabling” program engaged people managers through case studies, role-playing and interactive games, equipping them with tools to apply ����AV’s cultural behaviors, identify moments that matter in the employee lifecycle, and enhance employee conversations. Meanwhile, the “Leadership Foundation Program for Shift Leaders” has supported over 80 frontline leaders at ����AV Integrated Site Shanghai in strengthening their leadership skills and advance their careers. Both programs received widespread acclaim, reinforcing ����AV’s emphasis on leadership development at all levels.

The company has also built a comprehensive well-being system that addresses physical, mental, social and environmental dimensions. The first-ever Well-being Week held in October 2024 featured activities such as healthy food competition, well-being talent showcases and health lectures at sites and offices across the nation. On top of that were family outings, sports events and beach clean-ups held nationwide, fostering a sense of belonging and boosting employee morale.

“At ����AV, we view our employees as whole individuals, not just as a workforce, valuing their personal growth and well-being alongside their professional contributions. Our goal is to empower them to create value for the company while growing personally,” said Lesley Lin, Head of Human Resources, Greater China.

The Top Employers Institute program certifies organizations based on the participation and results of their HR Best Practices Survey, which covers six HR domains consisting of 20 topics, including people strategy, work environment, talent acquisition, learning, diversity, equity and inclusion, and well-being.

“Trust, fairness, and equality are central values for us as an employer. By publishing salary ranges in our job postings, we demonstrate that we live by these values, take the concerns of applicants seriously, and promote an open and fair dialogue,” says Sophie von Saldern, Global Head of Human Resources at ����AV. The company’s existing workforce also benefits from this transparency, as salary bands are accessible internally.

Benefits for All: Greater Efficiency, Transparency, and Fairness

This new approach goes beyond positioning ����AV as a transparent and fair employer – it fundamentally transforms the entire recruitment process. The initiative was initially piloted in engineering roles, where there is a significant skills shortage. The positive results from the pilot encouraged ����AV to extend the publication of salary ranges to all job advertisements.

“We’re already seeing early indications of increased application numbers. At the same time, the recruitment process is becoming more focused, and we’re receiving positive feedback from candidates. Applicants are assessing themselves within the salary range based on their qualifications and experience, which leads to more efficient and transparent discussions,” reports Dr. Ute Breitsohl, Head of Employer Branding & Recruiting in Germany.

Job seekers benefit from this transparency in several ways: Entry-level professionals gain clear guidance on salary expectations.
Experienced professionals can recognize the value placed on their expertise and directly discuss opportunities for development, including financial ones.
Women, who often undervalue themselves in salary negotiations, benefit from clear salary bands. For all profiles, the disclosure of salary structures allows applicants to immediately determine whether a position is financially attractive and suitable. “Our goal is to create a fair and open basis for discussion right from the start. In this way, we contribute even more to an application process at eye level,” explains Dr. Breitsohl. “The positive response from applicants confirms that our transparent approach creates trust. This enables us to focus more on development prospects and career goals in interviews.”

This initiative strengthens ����AV's position as an attractive employer. At the same time, ����AV is actively sending a signal to the labor market to raise awareness of the gender pay gap. “Only if salary ranges are disclosed transparently and comprehensibly can comparability be achieved across gender boundaries. With this step, ����AV is setting new standards for fairness and equality in the world of work,” Breitsohl continued.

Early Implementation of the EU Pay Transparency Directive

By publishing salary ranges in job postings, ����AV is preemptively fulfilling a requirement that will become mandatory for many companies in Germany by 2026. The forthcoming EU Pay Transparency Directive will oblige employers to disclose salary information during the recruitment process.

Sophie von Saldern, Global Head of Human Resources at ����AV, highlights the strategic intent behind this move: “We see publishing salary ranges not just as preparation for future legal requirements but as a strategic tool to strengthen our employer brand. The collective bargaining agreements in the chemical industry already provide attractive conditions—our additional transparency creates a win-win situation for applicants and our company.”

More targeted applications, positive feedback from departments, fewer time-consuming salary negotiations, and greater fairness: these indicators underline the success of this initiative and ����AV’s leadership role in promoting transparency and fair working conditions.

Interested candidates can find all current job postings with corresponding salary ranges on ����AV’s career page at www.career.covestro.com. The website also provides further information about ����AV as an employer and the diverse development opportunities within the company.

"We are deeply honored to welcome Chancellor Scholz and get the opportunity to highlight the potential of the chemical industry as well as ����AV to help drive sustainable change in China and the rest of the world,” said Chief Executive Officer Dr. Markus Steilemann. “Our decades-long presence in China epitomizes the spirit of Sino-German collaboration, which has been strongly beneficial for both sides. We count on the support of both governments in further catering for openness and mutual trust.” 

During the visit at the Asia-Pacific Innovation Center, the German delegation, comprising government officials, business leaders and media representatives, gained insight into ����AV’s manifold business activities in China. The center provides world-class support in research and development to customers around the world, particularly in dynamic markets such as electric vehicles, wind energy and photovoltaics, consumer electronics and construction. Through collaboration, the center also explores new business models and digital research and development. 

“����AV remains deeply committed to China. We continuously strive to foster strong partnerships across the entire value chain”, said Holly Lei, President of ����AV China. ”By advocating for the circular economy and striving for climate neutrality, we support key industries and the country in their green transformation and high-quality development.” 

China stands as one of ����AV’s primary markets, with sales in 2023 accounting for over 20 percent of the group’s total and cumulative investments exceeding EUR 4 billion. In Shanghai, ����AV has established a regional headquarters housing, besides the Asia-Pacific innovation hub, the global headquarters of its Business Entity Engineering Plastics, as well as the regional headquarters of many other businesses and functions. Additionally, the city is home to ����AV Integrated Site Shanghai, the company’s largest production site. 

“Securing the title of Top Employer China for six years in a row stands as a remarkable affirmation, underscoring our steadfast commitment to advancing employee well-being, encouraging diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and fostering an enriched workplace,” said ����AV China President Holly Lei. “At ����AV, we recognize that our employees are the linchpin of our enduring success in this challenging time. We have been consistently empowering our people through a diverse range of programs and initiatives, while bolstering the agility and resilience of our organization to ensure long-term, sustainable growth.”

In the realm of well-being, ����AV China prioritizes the physical and mental health of its staff. Approximately 30 employee independent well-being clubs, falling under sports and entertainment categories, operate with enthusiastic involvement from company management as role models. Since 2022, ����AV has implemented the Harvard Happiness Course, designed to enhance employee happiness through targeted attention and exercises across five dimensions: spirit, body, mindset, relationship, and emotion. The establishment of the “Happiness Club” in 2023 has seen increased participation, indicating a growing interest in the pursuit of happiness through learning and experience. These initiatives also play a pivotal role in strengthening the DEI landscape within ����AV.

Elsewhere, ����AV has also been consistently enhancing its commitment to people development. The company has integrated and refined the overarching framework, concepts, and tools, with the launch of a dedicated “People Development Experience Room.” This innovative space serves as a central hub for enlightening employees about ����AV’s people development concepts and tools. It offers a holistic view, prompting self-reflection among employees and managers regarding their personal and team development, and igniting enthusiasm across the workforce to embrace and apply the development tools.

“At ����AV, we align employee aspirations with the company’s objectives for joint success, prioritizing people in the continuous strengthening of our people development framework and concept. We care deeply about employee well-being and strive to improve their happiness and engagement. Through a variety of initiatives, including the implementation of digital tools and programs, we actively elevate the employee experience and facilitate effective organizational decision-making,” said Lesley Lin, Head of Human Resources, Greater China, ����AV.

The Top Employers Institute program certifies organizations based on the participation and results of their HR Best Practices Survey, which covers six HR domains consisting of 20 topics, including people strategy, work environment, talent acquisition, learning, diversity, equity and inclusion, and well-being.

"With our multi-layered campaign, we are pursuing the goal of establishing contacts with many partners to advance the industry on its path to climate neutrality and the circular economy," explains Dr. Christian Haessler, one of the two project managers for K 2022 at ����AV. "This communicative 360° approach was also expressed in the motto of our appearance at K 2022, 'Crafting Connections With You'." The Red Dot label has established itself internationally as one of the most coveted seals of quality for good design.

Rüdiger Maeßen, CEO Europe at Uniplan, is equally positive: "The good co-creative collaboration and the innovative concept were fundamental to the success of this holistic campaign. Together with ����AV, we have driven the circular economy agenda in the industry by creating an authentic exchange on multiple channels. Therefore, we are even more pleased that the sustainable campaign approach not only convinced the global target audience, but also the jury of the Red Dot Award."

Creating connections with digital platform

In order to connect with target groups around the world at an early stage and offer them a holistic, long-term experience as a "home base," ����AV and Uniplan designed a digital event platform called "SPACE." It went live several months before the start of the trade show and provided information about planned activities at the booth and the company's major highlight topics:

• Crafting Circular Economy
• Crafting Electrification
• Crafting Sustainable Living
• Crafting Smart Designs

A stage for current trends

These Topic Clusters also formed the basis for the second pillar – the integrated STAGE booth concept. As the other ����AV project manager Dr. Christopher Stillings explains, "Not only the exhibits and topic clusters, but also the wide-ranging lecture program in the central Talks Arena were tailored to these topics. Inspiring guests from well-known companies and universities – all actors in their respective fields – captivated the audience with keynotes on current trends and technologies and during panel discussions. Not only booth visitors participated, but also viewers around the world who followed the live broadcasts via social media."

Another highlight is the Color Material Finish (CMF) Sample Library, a collection of plastic samples that makes materials visible and tangible. Part of Uniplan´s and ����AV's STAGE concept is that the booth – or parts of it – can be used repeatedly for further exhibitions. Sustainability aspects and the reduction of CO₂ emissions were also at the forefront in the selection of materials for the trade show appearance itself. The success proves both partners right: Thus, the quality of contacts was significantly improved compared to K 2019, and a positive response developed both externally and internally over a longer period of time.

Innovators in the spotlight

While innovative developments are showcased and (hopefully) get the attention they deserve, the researchers behind them are often not visible. In the video series "Meet The Innovators" ����AV gives a voice to some of them and their inventions – see the blog post. They were introduced to a larger audience at K 2022, but prominent guests continue to discuss important innovations and technologies in the "Meet The Innovators" livestream series.

Many inspiring encounters at K 2022 have already led to a large number of new partnerships, technologies and material solutions. They form a valuable basis for developments that ����AV plans to showcase at the next major trade show appearance at K 2025. The company's motto may be different then – but the message remains that partnerships are the key to achieving a climate-neutral and circular economy: "Crafting Connections With You".

A Red Dot Award rarely comes alone

Back in May 2023, ����AV and its partner Accesso Dynamics were honored with an award offered by Red Dot and Koelnmesse. At the furniture supplier trade show interzum 2023, they received the "Best of the Best" interzum Award for their technology. This technology, first presented at K 2022, enables products with complex but seamless shapes. The development also contributes to sustainability, as the products are partly made from bio-based raw materials, are repairable and can be mechanically recycled at the end of their useful life.

����AV and Uniplan were also nominated for the Heavent Award in the "Forum, Summit, Congress, Fair Award" category for their communication concept for K 2022. A total of 132 projects from event, experimental and live marketing agencies as well as companies and trade fair and congress organizers were submitted for this year's event competition.

"For me, the chemical industry is predestined for the use of AI because we have a lot of complex processes going on that cannot be described by fixed rules," says Walter Grüner, Head of IT & Digitalization at ����AV. "They are not suitable for automation. We rather need learning systems to which we grant a certain degree of decision-making autonomy. In doing so, we focus primarily on the development of systems that work in a complementary manner to humans and support their abilities."

With the introduction of AI in the chemical industry, questions about technical, operational and organizational implementation are also increasingly emerging. This includes, for example, the role of AI in decision-making, but also its implementation along value chains.

Artificial Intelligence – great opportunity for chemical industry

Under the motto "Shaping industrial change with AI", the participants exchanged in a generic way views on the following topics:

• AI system to assist decision making or as an autonomous decision-maker?
• AI awareness, literacy and capabilities
• Production technology vs. supply chain management: independent or joint optimization?
• Needs and requirements for external data generation (monitoring)?

"It is precisely the exchange across company boundaries that helps us a lot in the upcoming transformation because overall challenges become clearer," says Nils Janus, Global Head of Advanced Analytics at ����AV. "This increases efficiency and saves time."

Overall, there was agreement among the participants: Artificial intelligence offers great opportunities for the chemical industry. The new systems help to create a common ecosystem for cross-divisional production planning. It must be decided on a case-by-case basis and each company has to decide individually and independently how much autonomy these systems will be given. With regard to access to the systems, the participants saw a strong democratization of artificial intelligence. Companies could support employees in learning more about data and AI and bring them into contact with experts when it comes to the widespread use of AI solutions in the company. The generation and dissemination of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) data are currently the biggest drivers for using external data sources. Here, all participants saw opportunities to intensify the use of external sources.

Digitalization drives sustainability

Digitalization is a key driver to improve sustainability and make the circular economy a reality. ����AV is focusing on more data-oriented corporate governance to drive digital transformation.

����AV is advancing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) both in its own company and in the chemical industry. To this end, the materials manufacturer is investigating how digital technologies can make processes more efficient and sustainable as part of several pilot projects across different divisions.

Dr. Thomas Toepfer has been a member of ����AV’s Board of Management since April 2018 and, as Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for Accounting, Controlling, and Finance, among others. He has additionally held the position of Labor Director since January 2019. “We respect Thomas Toepfer’s personal wish to terminate his contract early in order to pursue his professional career outside the Group. Since he assumed office, he has made a major contribution to ����AV’s successful development,” says Dr. Richard Pott, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of ����AV. “In the past few years, he and his team have continually expanded the company’s financial structure and established the Group’s Finance board department very well at all levels. Thanks also to his commitment, ����AV enjoys a high level of trust by the capital market and today has all the tools to ensure the long-term Group strategy is sustainably financed. On behalf of the entire Supervisory Board, I thank Thomas Toepfer and wish him good luck and every success in his new role.” 

����AV’s CEO Dr. Markus Steilemann says: “Through his tremendous commitment, Thomas Toepfer has played an important role in developing and implementing our strategy. Together with our strong management team, we have successfully driven ����AV’s organizational realignment and in this way created the conditions necessary for ����AV to successfully generate sustainable growth.” 

Interested in a career with ����AV? Visit U.S. | ����AV Careers | ����AV

“When it comes to our employees and their work experience, we strive to provide an atmosphere in which employees are valued, are integral to the corporate culture and understand how they directly contribute to the company’s goals,” said Jennifer Pannill, head of recruiting and employer branding at ����AV LLC. “An important way that we do this is through our dedication to best-in-class Human Resource policies and practices.”

That sentiment is backed up by the Top Employer data, with ����AV exceeding benchmark results in the areas of business strategy, wellbeing, recognition, values, integrity, sustainability and many others.

“A company’s success is directly correlated to the people who work behind the scenes every day,” says Haakan Jonsson, chairman and president of ����AV LLC. “My job, and that of human resources and other company leaders, is to make sure all of our employees have a safe, productive and rewarding workplace. That is essential to the fabric of our culture and organization, and while there is always room for improvement, the Top Employer award shows we are making big strides.”

About Top Employers Institute:

Top Employers Institute is the global authority on recognising excellence in People Practices. We help accelerate these practices to enrich the world of work. Through the Top Employers Institute Certification Programme, participating companies can be validated, certified, and recognised as an employer of choice. Established over 30 years ago, Top Employers Institute has certified 2 052 organisations in 121 countries/regions. These certified Top Employers positively impact the lives of over 9.5 million employees globally.

Top Employers Institute. For a better world of work.

“I’m both humbled and grateful for the opportunity to lead and work alongside the talented U.S. team, as we continue to advance the company’s vision of becoming fully circular,” said Hifri. “In some ways, I feel as though as my own career has come full circle, as this next chapter brings me back to Pittsburgh, where my ����AV journey first began.”

Click here to read Hifri’s biography:

Hifri joined the company in 1998 as a commercial trainee at ����AV’s U.S. headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pa. Since then, he has led a diverse career spanning product management, sales & marketing, supply chain and country management – a path that has taken him to 10 ����AV sites across six countries and three continents. Hifri currently serves a dual role as the senior vice president and managing director of ����AV Hong Kong, as well as head of the Supply Chain & Logistics Center for the Asia Pacific region.

Hifri graduated from Duquesne University with a bachelor’s degree in international finance, and he also holds an executive degree from INSEAD in France. Hifri is married with four children, and, in addition to his professional responsibilities, remains active in a number of community and academic functions.

“With his passion for people, deep knowledge of ����AV’s global business and strong ties to America, Samir is well suited to lead the U.S. organization into the future,” said Thomas Toepfer, CFO at ����AV and member of the Board of Management.

“On behalf of the Board of Management, I want to exend my congratulations to Samir and also to recognize Haakan for his many contributions to ����AV. Haakan steered the U.S. organization through one of the most challenging and transformative periods in our history, while continuing to foster a more diverse, inclusive and innovative culture.”

Since joining the company as a scientist in 1992, Jonsson has led a distinguished career paved with more than 20 patents and leadership roles spanning innovation, supply chain and production operations. He assumed his current role in January 2020, quickly having to shift gears from the normal course of business to safely sustaining U.S. operations in the face of a global pandemic. This was one of many achievements marking Jonsson’s tenure – an era that also oversaw the U.S. integration of the resins and functional materials business (acquired from DSM) and the launch of the ����AV Circular Economy Program at the University of Pittsburgh. Through it all, Jonsson remained an actively engaged board member serving numerous organizations across the Pittsburgh community and broader U.S. chemical industry.

“I’ve been fortunate to have led a long, fulfilling career with ����AV, which culminated in the ultimate privilege of leading the first-class team here in the U.S.,” said Jonsson. “As my own ����AV journey comes to a close, I am confident that the U.S. organization will continue to grow and thrive under Samir’s capable leadership.”

����AV’s U.S. presence includes roughly 2,700 employees and 13 site locations across the states of Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and West Virginia. The U.S. business represents approximately 25 percent of global ����AV sales.

"Dr. Thorsten Dreier has demonstrated his technological expertise, customer focus, market orientation and management qualities in our company over the last twenty years, and with great success. He has played a decisive role in shaping ����AV's development," said Dr. Richard Pott, Chairman of ����AV's Supervisory Board. "He is therefore the ideal successor as Chief Technology Officer and will continue to successfully drive ����AV's transformation towards a circular economy and to achieving climate neutrality."  

"I am grateful for the trust placed in me. I am looking very much forward to working with ����AV employees and the other members of the Board of Management, give new impetus to the transformation of our company and to fulfill our aspired position as a pioneer in the chemical industry in decisively driving forward the circular economy," said Dreier.   

In his role as Chief Technology Officer, Dreier will assume responsibility for the corporate functions Process Technology, Engineering, Group Health, Safety & Environment and Group Procurement. In the coming months, he will work with Dr. Klaus Schäfer, to prepare for the smooth takeover of his duties and familiarize himself with all the tasks of his future area of responsibility. 

Therefore, ����AV is turning K 2022 in Düsseldorf from October 19^th to 26^th into a workshop. Under the motto Crafting Connections With You, ����AV is inviting partners, customers, and multipliers to work together on concepts: How can the principle of the circular economy be advanced as a shared, global vision? How can new resources, less energy-intensive processes and integrated supply chains be used?

“A truly sustainable future must not remain a utopia. Now is the time for all partners in the value chain to pull together. Solutions emerge through exchange. At K 2022, we want to showcase the huge potential of plastics. After all, climate neutrality targets and a circular economy cannot be achieved without plastics,“ says Dr. Markus Steilemann, CEO of ����AV. “But the conditions for the entire industry have to change. Above all, we definitely need cheap green power in very large quantities. That’s why we’re coming together in Düsseldorf – to take a big step forward together.”  

Panel discussion on October 19^th with business and society

����AV is underscoring this ambition with a panel discussion on “Pioneering a Fully Circular Future – with climate-neutral plastics” broadcast publicly on October 19^th starting at 10:45 a.m. on the and social media channels. In addition to Markus Steilemann, Dr. Markus Krebber, CEO of RWE, Sophie Herrmann, partner at the SYSTEMIQ think tank, and Teresa Oberhauser, representing youth organizations in the United Nations Environment Programme, will take part in the panel. One thing the participants have in common is that they are demonstrating promising solutions in the fight against climate change and advancing them with partners – whether they are industry, think tanks, or leaders in social and political discourse. 

Four core areas for a climate-neutral company

At K 2022, ����AV invites visitors to discover solutions on the path to a climate-neutral chemical industry committed to the circular economy.

“We are on the journey to becoming a fully circular company and rely on close interaction with our customers and partners. To enable our customers to achieve their climate neutrality and sustainability goals, we have set ourselves an ambitious target. We want to become climate neutral by 2035 from our operations and energy supply, “ says Sucheta Govil, Chief Commercial Officer of ����AV. “At K 2022, we will be showcasing key highlights from this journey: innovative products and solutions developed with alternative raw materials, innovative recycling, and renewable energies. This allows customers to see for themselves how hydrogen, biomass, end-of-life products and waste can be used as promising alternatives to fossil raw materials. At ����AV, these solutions are already paving the way to a fully circular economy”.

The ����AV booth will focus on four topics of the future:

• “Crafting Electrification” demonstrates how the company is working with partners to advance green energies – for example, with plastics solutions for wind turbines or electric cars.
• “Crafting Sustainable Living” presents modern, climate-neutral plastics for buildings or refrigerators, for example, which help to reduce the CO₂ and energy footprint.
• “Crafting Smart Designs” provides an insight into how ����AV is using the opportunities offered by digitalization to work in a more connected and sustainable way along the entire value chain.
• “Crafting Circular Economy” illustrates how a systematic transition to a circular economy can be the key to climate neutrality and resource conservation.

The new committee has a lot of plans for the next term of office. In particular, it wants to breathe even more life into the three guiding principles of the society with a focus on digitization, diversity and internationalization, and thus also continue the course it has taken in recent years to drive forward the modernization of the GDCh. "We can be truly proud of what the GDCh has achieved and what it represents, but we also want to support the changes in society and science and thus play an active role in shaping the future of the GDCh," Danielmeier emphasizes.

Karsten Danielmeier, born in Werl in 1967, studied at the University of Bonn where he received his doctorate in synthetic organic chemistry under Professor Dr. Eberhard Steckhan in 1995. The following year, he joined Bayer AG where he was active in numerous positions of increasing responsibility in raw materials research for coatings and adhesives in Germany and the United States. Most recently, he headed research for the Functional Films division in Leverkusen and was Senior Vice President for Research and Development in the Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties segment at ����AV from 2015 to 2021.

Danielmeier has been a member of the GDCh board since July 2020 and had previously served for several years on the scientific planning committee of the Coatings Chemistry division.

“The recipe for success in business is committed employees: collaborative and full of ideas. The more diverse people are, the better – this is our conviction and what we aspire towards,” says CEO Dr. Markus Steilemann. “We want to establish a true culture of diversity and inclusion across the whole company, anchored in every aspect of our activities. This document is another milestone in our journey and I would like to thank everybody involved.”

Record of progress on a yearly basis

The “����AV Global Diversity & Inclusion Report 2020” is the first of its kind and includes a review of activities in 2020 with consolidated information on how diversity and inclusion at ����AV contribute to the company's success. This includes, among other things, diverse team structures and the establishment of an inclusive and supportive work environment and corporate culture. From now on, ����AV will publish a global D&I report annually.

“As you'll see in this report, we started a journey five years ago to understand the identities, interlinks, differences and experiences of ����AV employees worldwide,” says Sophie von Saldern, Head of People & Culture. “Looking forward, we will continue to use data-informed efforts to support D&I as we grow and change the company in these transformative times. We will keep working to reach our goals even as we address disruptive challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Strategically embedded: Promoting diversity and inclusion

����AV wants to make the world a brighter place and is committed to an inclusive, diverse and respectful working environment. That's why the Group advances the topics of diversity and inclusion as core elements of its corporate culture. ����AV derives its diversity and inclusion strategy from its corporate values, focusing on three areas of activity:

• Colleagues: Build, engage and develop a strong, diverse workforce.
   
• ����AV: Establish an inclusive, supportive work environment and culture for everyone.
   
• Community: Develop genuine relationships and expand opportunities for achieving business objectives through community engagement, supplier diversity and customer interactions.

����AV will continue expanding its diversity activities in the future to strengthen diversity and representation of employees worldwide. This will include defining D&I metrics and enhancing processes and systems to capture and measure these efforts.

"I am very pleased to support the WEPs," said Dr. Markus Steilemann, CEO of ����AV. "They will help us drive gender equality. This will strengthen our 'We are 1' culture and it will promote sustainability, innovation and productivity."

����AV's corporate culture is based on defined values and behaviors and is a fundamental part of its strategy under the name "We are 1." ����AV employees and managers are jointly committed to continuously improving the way they work together, thus strengthening the "We are 1" culture.

Goals firmly in sight

By joining the WEPs community of more than 4,250 companies worldwide, ����AV is one of the first signatories in the European chemical industry. ����AV is thus underpinning its decision to promote business practices that empower women. These include equal pay for work of equal value, gender-sensitive measures to promote women and zero tolerance for sexual harassment in the workplace. For example, ����AV is committed to supporting emerging female professionals in the workplace and is dedicated to increase the attractiveness of STEM professions."Diversity, equity and inclusion play an important role at ����AV," explained Wolfgang Miebach, Global Head of Human Resources at ����AV. "Therefore, signing the Women's Empowerment Principles is another great opportunity to drive gender equity."

For example, the company has already been in compliance for more than a year with the draft law on mandatory requirements for women on the boards of listed companies and companies with equal codetermination adopted by the German government in January 2021. The proportion of women on ����AV's Board of Management is to date 25 percent.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion firmly anchored

For ����AV, diversity, equity and inclusion are not only important drivers of innovation, but are also firmly anchored in the overall business strategy and part of the company's values and culture. In order to further anchor the corresponding goals and the concept of diversity and inclusion in the company, numerous employees from various areas work together in so-called D&I councils. These activities are bundled and coordinated in global action plans as part of ����AV's company-wide diversity and inclusion program. In this way, the company intends to continue to promote diversity and inclusion as an important part of its corporate culture in the future.

New corporate vision: ”We will be fully circular”

For a more sustainable restart, ����AV has drawn on a new corporate vision to chart a clear course for the company. Over the long term, the company plans to align its entire production, its range of products and solutions as well as all areas to the circular concept. “That means we aim to comprehensively establish the principle of circularity at our company,” Steilemann said. Focus topics are alternative raw materials, innovative recycling, joint solutions and renewable energies.

On the path towards achieving a circular economy, ����AV will also be strengthening its innovative capabilities, for example in areas such as digital chemistry. Quantum computing can, for example, enable highly complex chemical reaction processes to be digitally simulated in the future, thus saving considerable time and resources. This would play a vital role in successfully driving the circular economy, Steilemann said. “Quantum computing will enable us to take research and development to a completely new level — also, and in particular, in regard to the pace at which we can develop innovations,” Steilemann explained. The company has only recently announced a research partnership with Google in this area.

Guidance confirmed, economic environment remains uncertain

Steilemann again confirmed the guidance for the current fiscal year to the shareholders. Although ����AV has been observing a trend of sequential improvement since mid-May, 2020 nevertheless continues to be an exceptional year and the economic environment will remain uncertain in the second half of the year as well. “Further developments depend largely on the course taken by the coronavirus pandemic, and this is not completely foreseeable. This makes it all the more important that our measures work and provide positive results already,” Steilemann adds.

Consistent crisis management ensures ability to act

Since the beginning of the Corona crisis, ����AV had quickly and consistently taken measures to counter the effects on its business, setting clear priorities: “Our top priority is to ensure the safety of our employees, business partners and customers. This is followed by maintaining production and supply chains. Equally important to us is to safeguard our strong liquidity position.”

Early on, ����AV set the course for sustainably improving efficiency through the company’s “Perspective” program. The company is now benefiting from this as well as from strengthening the short-term cost-saving measures approved at the beginning of this year. By 2020, the aim is to save a total of over EUR 430 million. In addition, the company has adjusted its investment plans and taken various financing measures in the first half of the year, including a new revolving credit facility, short-term working capital facilities, a loan from the European Investment Bank and the issuance of Eurobonds.

Adjusted dividend proposal

To further strengthen ����AV’s liquidity position in the current exceptional economic environment, the company decided in spring to propose a dividend of EUR 1.20 per share to the Annual General Meeting instead of the originally planned EUR 2.40 per share. This would equal a payout ratio of 40 percent and a new peak in relative terms.

CFO Dr. Thomas Toepfer at the Annual General Meeting: “Our policy is to pay out an increased or at least a stable dividend to our shareholders. That was also our intention this year. We will, however, deviate from that policy in 2020 due to the enormous impact of the coronavirus pandemic. I am convinced we have made a balanced decision with this proposed dividend. We are taking the interests of our shareholders into account while at the same time securing our robust liquidity position and credit rating.”

����AV is broadcasting the complete virtual Annual General Meeting, including the Board of Management presentations and the Q&A, live via Webcast at starting at 10 a.m. CET. Speeches by the Board of Management can also be followed live via LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. The manuscripts of the speeches by Dr. Markus Steilemann and Dr. Thomas Toepfer are available online at /en/investors. The voting results will also be provided there after the Annual General Meeting.

“We are pleased to continue our successful cooperation with Dr. Thomas Toepfer,” said Dr. Richard Pott, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of ����AV.“ As an experienced CFO, he justifiably enjoys a high level of trust on capital markets and among employees, our business partners, the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board.”

Following the extension of his contract, Dr. Thomas Toepfer said: “I am looking forward to successfully and sustainably shaping the future of ����AV along with the Board of Management team and our employees. At the same time, I would like to thank our Supervisory Board for the trust they have placed in me.”

Dr. Thomas Toepfer is part of the four-member Board of Management at ����AV with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Markus Steilemann, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Sucheta Govil and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Dr. Klaus Schäfer.

“Given the many global challenges, plastics are vital to create a truly sustainable future and to make the circular economy the new guiding principle,” said Steilemann. “In this context, it is important to use end-of-life materials and waste as a resource for new products. Under no circumstances should they continue to enter the environment uncontrolled. In addition, plastics as particularly sustainable material must be used in as many areas as possible. This is how our industry can and will help Europe move towards sustainability.”

In addition to his new position at PlasticsEurope, Steilemann has also recently been elected as vice-president of the German Association of Chemical Industries (VCI). He is also a member of the board of the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) and Chairman of SusChem, the European Technology Platform for Sustainable Chemistry. PlasticsEurope, with centers in Brussels, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Milan and Paris, represents around hundred companies that produce more than 90% of polymers in the 27 EU member states, as well as Norway, Switzerland, Turkey and UK.

“The Coronavirus crisis affects us all and can only be overcome with solidarity. We are currently experiencing cohesion and commitment in our company to a very special degree”, explained ����AV CEO Dr. Markus Steilemann. “We want to convey this attitude to the outside world and contribute our know-how and the energy of our employees worldwide in the fight against the pandemic. At the same time, we will continue to do everything in our power to preserve the safety and health of our workforce”.

Since the beginning of the crisis, ����AV has been continuously monitoring the development of the situation and attaches the highest priority to protecting its employees and their families worldwide. In addition, the company has implemented a number of direct measures in recent weeks to provide local support to health and care facilities. With the outbreak of the coronavirus in China, employees have already supported rush orders of medical equipment manufacturers by supplying raw materials for the production of diagnostic and respiratory equipment, protective devices and test strips for disease control and other emergency aid. Further measures followed worldwide, including in-kind and money donations as well as strategic partnerships with customers. Below are just a few of the ways that ����AV is helping to fight the pandemic:

Brazil

• Donations in cooperation with aid organization to supply people in need

Mainland China

• Donation of protective eyewear, thermometers and pillows to public health facilities in Hubei and other parts of China
• Employee donations campaign for frontline medical teams

Germany

• Donations of medical supplies to health care facilities
• Donation of material for the production of protective eyewear for University

Hospital of Erlangenabr

• Donation of face masks to the city of Leverkusen

Italy

• Employee donations campaign
• Donation to hospital in Bergamo

Spain

• Donations to several hospitals to purchase urgently needed equipment
• Donation of material for the production of hospital mattresses

Taiwan

• Donation of protective eyewear to public health facilities

USA

• Donations of hand sanitizer and face masks to local responders and public service organizations
• Employee donations campaign for a national nonprofit and support for employees who want to personally contribute to relief efforts

In order to continue to relieve the burden on medical facilities and other affected areas and thus support the massive efforts to contain the coronavirus, ����AV is also providing its existing know-how and innovative materials, for instance for the use of 3D printing technology. This also includes freely accessible software for 3D printing of mask holders, which improves the wearability of medical safety masks. In the USA, there is also an ongoing collaboration with 3D printing companies and a research institute exploring 3D printing of ventilator components, using ����AV materials and technical expertise.

An up-to-date overview of measures and initiatives taken by ����AV for the direct containment of the coronavirus can be found on our website (link expired).

The company continues to actively explore opportunities for how it can best contribute to response and recovery efforts around the world and in the markets it serves.

“Especially in these challenging times, I am very much looking forward to this new task,” said Steilemann. “I will be particularly committed to further expanding the dialogue within the chemical and plastics industry and to networking it even more closely with society. This is the sole means of achieving a viable, truly sustainable economy. Our industry, with its high level of innovation, is a key partner on the path to this goal. This makes it even more important to secure and expand our global competitiveness and innovative capability.”

In addition, Christian Kullmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of Evonik, was appointed Chairman of the VCI as part of the presidium election. He succeeds the former Henkel CEO Hans van Bylen. The VCI represents the economic policy interests of around 1,700 German chemical companies and local subsidiaries of foreign groups vis-à-vis politicians, authorities, science and media, as well as other sectors of the economy.

During the trade fair in Paris from March 3-5, ����AV will be presenting innovative and sustainable material solutions for various industries at Booth K6 in Hall 5. One important application is lightweight and robust components for vehicles that reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions or increase the range of electric cars. With such products, ����AV is also contributing to the fulfillment of the UN goals for sustainable development (UN-SDGs).

In cooperation with customers and partners and through own developments, the range of applications for has again been expanded in comparison to the previous year. The range extends from pultruded profiles and facade mounting elements to large rotor blades for wind turbines, miniaturized electronic components and sports articles produced in large quantities with short cycle times.  

Robust, lightweight, aesthetic – thermoplastic composites in focus

����AV has developed a new composite technology that facilitates the industrial-scale production of particularly thin, lightweight, high-strength yet aesthetic parts. It is based on Continuous Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastic Polymers (CFRTP) and is marketed under the name Maezio™. Thermoplastics like polycarbonate are used as substrate material, and carbon or glass fibers are used for reinforcement.

One current example of an application is the redesigned wheels of the ES8 and ES6 SUVs of the Chinese electric car start-up NIO. At the K 2019 plastics trade fair, ����AV presented decorative wheel blades made of CFRTP composites with which the wheels can be optionally equipped. The benefits mentioned above, including aesthetics, play an important role here.

Another project is the design of an ultra-thin but very robust table as part of a new car interior concept, which ����AV developed together with partners and presented at K 2019. The table requires minimal design space and impresses with its high aesthetic and surface finish.

In addition to the innovative thermoplastic composites, ����AV is also presenting a particle foam made of expanded polycarbonate (EPC) at the JEC World 2020, which is characterized by very good mechanical properties over a wide temperature range, excellent impact strength and good fire protection. The material can be used in high-quality lightweight construction applications and is also recyclable.

High-strength, effective, durable – focus on thermoset composites

Polyurethane (PU) composites have also long been one of ����AV's core competencies. Together with partners along the value chain, the company is pushing ahead with the development of industrial production of these composites using the effective pultrusion process.

The highly reactive and aromatic PU matrix Baydur^® PUL is noted in various applications by outstanding mechanical properties and good wetting of the reinforcing glass or carbon fibers. At the JEC World 2020, ����AV will be exhibiting an example of a chassis component for light commercial vehicles developed and manufactured by Carbon Truck & Trailer GmbH using pultrusion.

The same material can be used to produce profiles for the lower part of the battery box of electric vehicles, for example. These profiles show their highest strength in the longitudinal direction and hold battery modules securely in shape, as has been proven in standard industrial tests for side impact protection. At the same time, the components can be produced efficiently and cost-effectively and can be easily combined with other materials.

The aliphatic PU system Desmocomp^® AP is particularly recommended for outdoor pultrusion applications due to its unique UV and weather resistance. One of ����AV's customers, Fisco GmbH, has used it to produce pultruded mounting elements for exterior facades that are not only weather-resistant but also inherently flame-retardant and mechanically robust. In addition to these elements, Fisco GmbH is able to fulfill the strict thermal efficiency requirements of this application. This property combination is well achieved with ����AVs matrix material Desmocomp^®.

Efficient production of rotor blades

The expansion of renewable energies, especially wind power, plays a decisive role in effective climate protection. More intensive use in this area will require more cost-effective production of wind turbines with even longer rotors and thus even greater power output.

A polyurethane resin developed by ����AV allows lighter, longer and more robust rotor blades than the established systems used so far. This is the finding of a recent study by WINDnovation Engineering Solutions GmbH, a leading company in rotor blade design. In combination with glass fiber mats and an efficient vacuum infusion process, the resin can be used to achieve short cycle times in production and thus achieve significant cost savings.

PU dispersions to optimize the sizing of fiber reinforcement

����AV's wide range of products exhibited at the JEC World 2020 also includes aqueous PU dispersions. They are used as film formers and crosslinkers in the formulation of sizings for glass, carbon, basalt, natural or other types of fibers. Baybond^®, the front-runner in the fiber sizing portfolio, is highly suitable for both thermoplastic and thermoset matrixes.

Using 3D printing, shoes could be made from only two parts – upper and sole. ����AV has developed a material that enables automated production at lower cost and complete recyclability of the finished shoe. At the trade fair from 19 to 22 November 2019 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, the company will be presenting these and other developments of its additive manufacturing programme at Booth E11 in Hall 12.1.

A powder and a filament, both based on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), proved to be the material of choice for meeting all the above requirements. The plastic offers high rebound and abrasion resistance and is therefore ideally suited for the production of both shoe parts. In addition, the shoe can later be recycled in a single step, including the polyurethane adhesive used for production – an important milestone towards recycling. Old shoes are thus turned into filaments for new shoes.

����AV also operates its own 3D printing laboratories in Leverkusen, Shanghai and Pittsburgh to support its customers in the key regions. There, the company works hand-in-hand with them to develop material solutions and test them in practice.

Sustainability as a catalyst for ideas

“The winning idea has the potential to respond to the major challenges of our time, such as climate change and global population growth, and to contribute to sustainable mobility,” said Sucheta Govil, Chief Commercial Officer of ����AV and responsible for innovation. “Our goal is to use our solutions to expand the circular economy in the plastics industry and make the world a better place to live. The ideas and teams that took part in the Start-up Challenge help us to achieve this goal faster by designing concepts for more sustainable product lifecycles.”

The six best start-up teams have been intensively preparing for the grand finale over the past few months. The winners ultimately prevailed against five other projects from different business areas. In total, more than 200 applications for the second round of the internal competition were received worldwide this year.

Employees become start-up founders

For this year's winners, it's now time to get down to the business of being a founder. They will be released from their jobs for up to a year in order to realize their business idea and test the marketability of the products. ����AV will provide them with start-up financing of up to one million euros. This gives the team the chance to act as a start-up within the company and to prove their skills as founders under real conditions. With the Start-up Challenge, ����AV aims to promote the creativity and entrepreneurial thinking of its nearly 17,000 employees.

“The entire pilot project is a great chance to illustrate the potential and the outstanding properties of our materials,” says Sucheta Govil, Chief Commercial Officer of ����AV. “Innovative, adaptable materials will give us creative freedom to accelerate the distribution of key digital technologies with user-friendly solutions in the near future.”

New telecommunications infrastructure

The companies are complementing one another's strengths as they work on the project. ����AV develops innovative and sustainable material solutions that have already proven themselves in a variety of electrical and electronic applications, and that fulfill high technical requirements. Telekom contributes its technological expertise on antennae for mobile wireless and network expansion. Students at the UID conceptualize the creative designs. They began by carrying out a study on the ground in Düsseldorf. Then, they drafted attractive antenna housings with colors and structures that met technical and aesthetic requirements. This resulted in a variety of design concepts. Now, there are two example models: a bird and a clock. The concept called “The Bird” considers 5G from a new standpoint, and pushes the limits of what is possible. The clock design, “24h5G,” integrates new material properties like translucency and thermal management for 5G small cell antenna housings. Trade fair visitors can view the exhibitions today at ����AV's stand at “K 2019.” K is the international specialist fair for plastics and rubber held in Düsseldorf.

Compact antennae provide a targeted boost to data capacity

In the future, Telekom will be installing more small cells for 5G, for instance in stoplights, lanterns, or facades. These compact antennae have a range of around 200 meters. They are connected to the Telekom network via fiber optics. This allows data to be transported extremely quickly, ensuring future networks are extremely powerful. Alongside traditional locations, this allows the network to provide the coverage and capacity necessary for the growing number of wireless devices. Telekom already uses small cells in its LTE expansion.

“In the design project with ����AV, we were able to place our technical requirements early on and work together with the students on their design ideas,” says Thomas Jansen, Head of the Small Cell Competence Team at Deutsche Telekom Technik. “Together, we have developed powerful 5G solutions that can be harmoniously integrated into the cityscape.”

Mobility trends such as electric vehicles and car sharing, as well as tightening regulations on VOC emissions and sustainability are redefining the role and function of automotive interiors. With INSQIN^®, a variety of coated textiles and new materials can now be used to create a stylish in-car experience that drivers want. This waterborne polyurethane technology enables more sustainable, flexible and durable coatings with a premium look and feel. These unique product features empower performance, even in the thinnest layers.

In a powerful demonstration of the potential of innovative materials for future mobility, the pioneering ����AV-sponsored electric car is currently taking part in the in Australia, which is known as the toughest solar race in the world. The ����AV Sonnenwagen includes innovative materials like polyurethane synthetics for its steering wheel and car seat cover. The materials are also exhibited at trade fair from October 16-23 in Düsseldorf, Germany, to demonstrate how they can be used in the spacious living or working space of the car of the future.

Well-equipped for increasing demands

Drivers increasingly demand an intelligent, enjoyable, but also healthy and sustainable in-car experience. Harnessing material innovation, ����AV is fully equipped for evolving demands. Produced at state-of-the-art facilities, INSQIN^® delivers the qualities sought by automakers with low VOC emissions and a low environmental impact. Additional technologies from ����AV include ultra-thin polycarbonate films and lighter polyurethane foams that help reduce vehicle fuel consumption.

“Automakers demand both performance and sustainable solutions,” said Dr. Torsten Pohl, Head of Global Textile Coatings at ����AV. “We are proud to be creating innovations and pioneering application methods in more and more industry sectors. Our broad product portfolio allows manufacturers to offer different effects and looks, giving them more options for the automotive interior of the future. With our INSQIN^® technology, we are helping automakers to accelerate ahead of the competition.”

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.

"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 �Ѳ��������™ 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 �Ѳ��������™ 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.

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 great challenges of our time, such as climate change and the increasing consumption of resources by the growing world population, make truly sustainable ways of living and economies an indispensable necessity. The linear patterns in consumption and production based on one-time use have become obsolete – we must rather strengthen the idea of recycling and consistently align our actions accordingly, ” stresses ����AV CEO Dr. Markus Steilemann.

According to Steilemann, the plastics industry in particular can and must drive the change to achieve a circular economy. “Our company wants to be a pioneer in this process – for the benefit of the environment and society, but of course also for the benefit of our customers, who want to join us on our path to the circular economy.”

Moving carbon in circles

In order to promote the circular economy, ����AV has taken a first step in establishing a global strategic program to establish circularity throughout all areas of the company. It will then be backed by concrete and measurable objectives. The materials manufacturer has already taken several steps in this direction. For instance, it has recently been using alternative raw materials instead of crude oil to move the important element carbon virtually in a circle. Especially when it comes to using CO₂ as a new raw material, ����AV sees itself as a pioneer and, with its innovative technology, is now in the grand finale of the prestigious German President’s Award.

However, the greatest potential for closing cycles is likely to lie in the recycling of plastic waste. In order to be able to make greater use of it than before, waste disposal systems must be considerably improved and redesigned. ����AV wants to contribute to this above all by developing new recycling technologies. The aim must be to use the most energy-efficient methods possible to convert used plastics back into their molecules. In a joint project, for example, the company is conducting concrete research into the reuse of soft polyurethane foam, which is used to make mattresses.

On top of this, ����AV intends to increasingly design plastics from the outset so that they can be effectively recycled. At the same time, plastic products must last as long as possible and be used to avoid waste.

Plastics as problem solvers

"Society, but also industry, must produce less waste. Above all, waste has to be disposed of systematically and must no longer end up uncontrolled in the environment," says CEO Steilemann. "Plastic waste in our oceans is essentially the result of inadequate waste management. Plastic in itself is not the problem and should not be prohibited. On the contrary, high-quality plastics are a problem solver and are urgently needed – for renewable energies, new forms of mobility and sustainable construction, for instance."

In order to stop the flow of plastic waste into the bodies of water, ����AV is also involved in the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, a worldwide company network that has been active since early 2019. In the new Circular Plastics Alliance, the company is also working with numerous other businesses and organizations to promote the recycling of plastics in Europe.

Overall, ����AV wants to cooperate with as many players as possible in all areas of the value chain in order to find the best solutions for the circular economy. The company assumes that a recycling-oriented economy will also lead to new business opportunities. New value creation paths and new business relationships beyond the existing B2B business are potential opportunities.

At the world's largest plastics trade fair, K 2019 in Düsseldorf, ����AV will be presenting many prime examples of products and technologies that can help close material cycles in various sectors. Together with its partners, ����AV has for example developed a concept for manufacturing new electronic components from used polycarbonate. ����AV will also be hosting a special theme day at its booth on October 23 dedicated to the topic of the circular economy.

Closing the carbon loop with recycled raw materials is a core element in the development of a circular economy. During the plastics trade fair, the company will be presenting a new concept for post-consumer recycled (PCR) polycarbonate waste and its use in the electronics industries at Booth A 75 in Hall 6.

Focus on reuse

“Polycarbonate is used in many high-quality applications and is also very durable,” says Kayla Wu, marketing manager for electronics applications of polycarbonates in the Asia-Pacific region. “The material is far too valuable to be disposed of after just one use.”

The market drivers for material recycling are the UN Sustainability Development Targets (UN SDGs), in particular target Number 11 for sustainable cities and settlements and Number 12 for sustainable consumption and production. But industry-specific standards in the electronics industry, such as eco-labels like the Blue Angel and the EPEAT electronics eco-label, CSR initiatives by companies and, last but not least, growing consumer interest in more sustainable products are also driving the development of recycling solutions.

Closed material cycle

The closed material cycle presented at K 2019 begins with the production of new, transparent polycarbonate at ����AV and its supply to a manufacturer of 5-gallon water bottles. This customer delivers the bottles to a water producer, which then provides the filled containers to consumers. They can be reused for up to approximately 50 times. At the end-of-life, they are being returned to the bottle manufacturer via the water producer through the same value chain. Then the bottles are shredded, cleaned and sorted.

After that, the quality of the post-consumer recyclate is checked and polycarbonate granulates produced. This recycled granulate is processed by ����AV – to form a polycarbonate blend which is used by OEMs to produce new laptops, copiers, printers, mobile chargers for smartphones and other electronic devices.

Creating value for all partners

The concept offers significant advantages over previous recycling approaches for thermoplastics. The collection and material sorting of post-consumer products has often been a challenge in the past. Fluctuations in quality have also often stood in the way of effective and economical recycling. However, all partners can benefit from the new concept and the business model behind it.

Not only is the electrical and electronics industry very interested in recycled raw materials; the automotive value chain, for example battery manufacturers, is also becoming increasingly committed to using more sustainable materials.

Reuse of PET bottles

In another project, ����AV is working with partners on the recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles together with polycarbonate. Both plastics are processed into a PC-PET blend from which new, high-quality products can be manufactured.

"The Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence are driving the design of living spaces in the future," says Jonas Michels, Senior Design Strategist, Competence Lead Brand and responsible for Design Strategy at . "We believe that future home products will become more automated, personalized, humanized, integrated and interactive than ever before."

To better cope with these trends, designers and manufacturers need a reliable and versatile material partner, such as ����AV, who is exploring lifestyle and home appliance development and supporting partners in the implementation of innovation. "We meet these challenges by jointly designing and developing advanced product concepts. The close collaboration between ����AV and designaffairs will make our visionary designs a reality," says Jonas Michels.

Design trends up to 2024

"We are exploring how the design of home products will change over the next few years, so we can speak the same design language as our customers and offer material solutions that fit the future trends and requirements," says Dr. Andreas Brandt, Vice President Marketing for Electronics, Electrical, Appliances in the Polycarbonates segment at ����AV. "����AV is a leader in the development of lightweight, flame-retardant and impact-resistant engineering materials based on polycarbonate. We are committed to driving digitization within future homes and contributing to a more sustainable and connected future."

Material solutions must balance aesthetics and functionality to provide greater design freedom in creating sustainable products. They have to facilitate CMF design (CMF means color, material, surface) to achieve the desired look and feel. Additional requirements are related to connectivity, smarter interfaces and automation features. Sustainable materials must meet higher product safety standards and be easy to maintain. Finally, products or their components should be reusable at the end of their useful life.

From the IoT control unit to the multifunctional work area

At K 2019, ����AV will be presenting trendsetting design concepts, cosmetic models and relevant material solutions for these devices at Booth A 75 in Hall 6:

• Intuitive IoT control device (Internet of Things) with personalized access control and tangible user experience.
• Cord-free air care: a portable air treatment unit with rechargeable Li-Ion battery and motion sensor; the high degree of standardization and modularization enables the use of recycled material as well as the reuse of product components.
• Intelligent skin care unit with sensor and light treatment functions and refillable cream cartridge to eliminate the need for disposable packs.
• “Cargo Bot" cleaning robot powered by Artificial Intelligence with additional transport functions that connect to an intelligent community and intelligent logistics.
• Multifunctional modular work zone that enables effective work-at-home and co-work activities that fit seamlessly into the interior design of the home and offer a high degree of adaptability.

We see ourselves not only as a plastics manufacturer, but also as a co-designer of the automobile of the future,” explains Doğan Ayger, expert for plastics applications in automobiles at ����AV. “With the concept studies we want to demonstrate that our construction materials facilitate technically innovative, economical, lightweight and visually appealing solutions for the next generation of roof spoilers”.

Excellent function integration, plenty of design freedom

The spoilers are equipped with numerous functions. These include sensors, cameras and 5G antennas. The latter, for example, perform important tasks in driver assistance systems. Rear lights and elements for ambient lighting are also integrated into the spoilers. Some of them are designed using black panel technology, which means that they look like flat, dark surfaces if the LED elements concealed behind them are not activated. The 3D surfaces of the spoilers can be designed in different colors and with adjacent high-gloss and mat areas.

Thanks to direct coating technology, component areas can be specifically coated or provided with functional coatings such as UV protection. “The freedom with which surfaces can be designed in terms of shape, color, gloss level and functions allows strong individualization of the spoiler design, which in turn makes an important contribution to brand and model differentiation,” explains Ayger.

Foamed parts for weight reduction

The concept components are optimized for low weight. And it is not just the low wall thicknesses and low density of the engineering plastics that make their contribution. Sandwich structures with a lightweight foam core made of expanded Makrolon^® (E-PC) can also be used, providing excellent thermal insulation.

The plastics developed for the spoilers are incredibly tough. It is maintained even in the freezing cold, which benefits safety. The dimensional stability of the thermoplastics is also high when exposed to heat, so that narrow gaps between adjacent components (zero joint optics) can be achieved.

Spoiler with improved aerodynamics

����AV materials offer active aerodynamics opportunities in the form of morphing elements and components. The aim is to direct the air flow such that the vehicle is pressed more strongly onto the road and consequently exhibits better driving dynamics. “In addition, plastic surfaces that reduce the air resistance of the spoiler and thus fuel consumption leading to lower emissions are also well at an advanced stage of development,” says Ayger.

“Thermoplastic polyurethane is the material of choice for this application thanks to its favorable range of properties,” says Patrick Rosso, Head of Additive Manufacturing at ����AV. “In particular, our TPU products cover a wide range of hardness. The hardness can also be adjusted by changing the printing structure. This allows manufacturers to print shoe insoles that are completely custom-made – with hard or soft contact areas.”

High functionality and durability

Together with a partner, ����AV is currently testing different sole designs to determine which are the easiest to print along with the most durable. Initial tests have been promising, both in terms of functionality and longevity. Orthopedic insoles are often produced by hand and take a lot of time.

Besides that, conventional insoles are e.g. made by forming or machining rigid foam blocks and are also less breathable. Using additive manufacturing offers a more sustainable approach to producers. It could help significantly more people to get access to orthopedic insoles.

Successful last production using 3D printing

Already back in May 2018, ����AV presented the design of an efficient complete solution for the manufacture of orthopedic shoe lasts at the OT World orthopedics trade fair in Leipzig. Thanks to 3D printing technology, the time required for production has been reduced from several weeks to just a few days. At the same time, patient visits to the shoe manufacturer can be reduced to a minimum. After the trade fair, customers expressed the idea of also printing the insoles instead of manufacturing them by hand as before. The idea and the favorable material properties of TPU were the reason for the current project.

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.

At the plastics trade fair, will be presenting new polyurethane systems at Booth A75 in Hall 6, which enable up to 20 percent faster demolding of refrigerators with standard wall thicknesses. The new systems based on optimized polyols, isocyanates and catalysts not only accelerate production, but also enhance the good insulating efficiency of existing rigid polyurethane (PU) foams.

"With the development of this polyurethane system, we are helping the appliance industry master one of its most important challenges," explains Reinhard Albers, an expert for refrigerator insulation at ����AV. "Manufacturers can process the system on their production lines without having to compromise on quality features such as energy consumption or housing geometry," explains Albers.

Sustainable preservation of food products

About 20 percent of the energy consumed by buildings is spent on the operation of cooling appliances. Rigid polyurethane foam offers very good insulation – so it has been used for many years to efficiently insulate almost all refrigerators worldwide. Continuous improvement of the insulation performance means that appliances of the highest energy efficiency class A+++ can now be manufactured. They make a special contribution to reducing energy consumption and CO₂ emissions and conserve fossil resources. Efficiently insulated refrigerators reliably protect food from spoilage and contribute to a sustainable diet for the populace.

The expansion of the foam after demolding is a fundamental feature of PU rigid foam, which influences both the processing and insulating performance. The new PU system results in significantly reduced post-expansion and enables very good process productivity compared to foams of the previous generation. The system has excellent flowability during manufacture and ensures homogeneous density distribution of the foam in the refrigerator housing. This enables the production of energy-efficient refrigerators at low cost using established foam processing technologies.

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.
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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.

PU and PIR rigid foams are processed into insulating boards and used in private and commercial buildings from cellars to roofs. In the form of sandwich panels with two metallic cover layers, they are also used for large-area and efficient insulation of industrial and commercial buildings. At the plastics trade fair K 2019, ����AV will be presenting information on the subject of building insulation at Stand A75 in Hall 6 – in a compact presentation but simultaneously with the necessary depth of detail.

The insulating performance of PU and PIR is at least 30 percent higher than that of conventional insulating materials such as expanded polystyrene (EPS), rock wool or glass wool. As a result, their use facilitates space-saving insulation thicknesses. That also makes the materials ideal for maximizing the living space in buildings – an advantage especially in urban areas where there is a lack of land and installation space. PIR foams are mechanically more robust and achieve even better fire protection classifications than PU rigid foam.

Digitalized production

With its Digital technical Services (DtS), ����AV supports customers in the optimized production of sandwich panels by means of digitalization. In particular, digital, computer-aided chemistry and "machine learning models" enable increased efficiency and cost savings, for example by avoiding waste, but also by improving product quality through more stable processes.

Current research projects

����AV is currently developing new formulations based on the so-called fourth generation of propellants ("HFOs"). The aim is to further reduce thermal conductivity compared to pentane. As a result, the lambda value can be reduced by around four points, for example from 0.023 W/m·K to 0.019 W/m·K.

In addition, the focus is on new systems for improved customer competitiveness and a new generation of plastic casting rakes for faster panel production.

On the way to even more sustainability

In addition, ����AV uses alternative raw materials for its production in order to reduce its own dependence on fossil resources. ����AV is also working intensively on the development of a CO₂-based raw material for PU rigid foam.

In the framework of the Carbon4PUR research project, a consortium of 14 partners from seven countries led by ����AV investigates how flue gas from the steel industry can be used to produce polyurethanes in a particularly efficient and sustainable way. This will save crude oil, the raw material used in conventional methods.

Together with partners, the company has also developed a unique method for the production of the important chemical primary product aniline from renewable raw materials. This bioaniline could be used in the future to produce MDI, a major component of PU rigid foam.

In cooperation with customers, authorities and non-governmental organizations, ����AV is developing affordable solutions based on its technologies and products as part of its "Inclusive Business" project, from which lower-income population groups in particular can benefit. A number of projects to create affordable housing using PU rigid foam have already been successfully completed in Asian countries.

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 lightweight components also enable commercial vehicle manufacturers to meet the increasingly rigorous European Union limit values,” explains Gerret Kalkoffen, Chairman of the Board of CarbonTT. “Logistics companies can use the vehicle to transport larger loads and thus operate more efficiently. In electric mobility, the lightweight chassis compensates for the weight of the battery and at the same time features simpler assembly and superior crash performance.”

Continuous production from polyurethane resin

At K 2019 plastics trade fair from October 16 to 23, ����AV will showcase such a composite component. It can be produced continuously by pultrusion with a Baydur^® PUL polyurethane (PU) matrix system. “With this system, we are pushing boundaries by providing a number of advantages over conventional materials,” says Benedikt Kilian, Project Manager for Process Development in the Polyurethanes segment at ����AV. “The material properties of the end part also meet stringent OEM specifications while enabling a lighter structure. Within seconds, the Baydur^® PUL low-viscosity system penetrates millions of carbon fibers perfectly and enables CarbonTT to achieve significant productivity gains.”

The profile design of the composite part was developed and optimized by CarbonTT to meet the mechanical requirements, achieve maximum weight reduction and minimize costs. ����AV supports CarbonTT with its Baydur^® PUL system and with its expertise in optimal pultrusion processing. Pultrusion runs have been successfully performed to demonstrate the benefits of the PU system and are being expanded.

The pultrusion process is a continuous process that can be automated to a high degree and is currently in the process of achieving industrial application. This makes it possible to produce differentiated and complex composite parts extremely efficiently, especially if a suitable polyurethane resin is used.

Beneficial process properties

Compared with other resin systems used for pultrusion, Baydur^® PUL has superior component and processing qualities. The superior mechanical properties of parts with a PU matrix enable customers to develop thin profiles and, where possible, use less complex fiber reinforcement. The viscosity of the system is also very low with high reactivity, which allows customers to produce very efficiently at high throughput rates.

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.

New aesthetic, improved aerodynamics

The wheels feature aluminum rims with opt-in carbon fiber blade inserts, designed to lend the vehicle a high-end aesthetic appeal with a lightweight flavor and improved aerodynamics. What �Ѳ��������™ composites bring to the table is a combination of a unique appearance with unidirectional carbon fiber optics and a wide variety of finishing options. Further information on these products can be found .

“�Ѳ��������™ composites are a very unique material because they kind of redefine how beauty is associated with carbon fibers,” says Yanbing Wang, Senior CMF designer from NIO. “They have set a new aesthetic direction with the unidirectional strands of fibers that remind me of the flowing shapes of rocks within the Antelope Canyon. It feels dynamic and full of energy.”

To achieve a high level of aesthetics, the choice of the resin system is crucial. Polycarbonates boast high surface quality and optical performance. Furthermore, polycarbonate-based composites are compatible with a wide range of coatings and decoration processes for designing unique surfaces. This makes it possible to develop a clear matt-coating system for the wheelblade that not only retains the beauty of the unidirectional fibers but also provides the needed protection – wheels are every vehicle’s touchpoints with the road, and as such, must perform flawlessly.

A technical breakthrough

Automotive exteriors exist in a harsh environment, and the requirements are demanding. Parts have to display high scratch-, weather-, ageing and chemical resistance properties. For wheel blades comes the additional requirement of high heat resistance during braking. So automotive exterior components not only have to look good after years of use but also perform on an everyday basis under tough conditions.

In combination with the coating system, the composite wheel blades have withstood rigorous safety and performance requirements, such as impact, chemical and weather resistance. The Makrolon^® polycarbonate on which �Ѳ��������™ is based displays high thermal stability qualities so the wheel blade insert can survive braking-induced temperatures of up to 150° C.

A seamless integration

For composites to be widely adopted in automotive they also need to be easily integrated with other materials in a multi-material system. Because of their thermoplastic matrix system, �Ѳ��������™ composites can be easily joined with functional components during processing, e.g., through back injection molding. In the case of the wheel blade inserts, they are joined with the aluminum spokes of the wheel through back-molded screw bosses made of polycarbonates. The common resin material makes it easy and secure to bond the two parts.

A second life

Car manufacturers are under pressure to make their vehicles less environmentally impactful. Electric vehicles are ahead of the curve, and so it’s natural that EV manufacturers are on the lookout for materials that are easy to recover and recycle.

�Ѳ��������™ composites can be cut and remelted for reuse at the end of life, or reground into short fiber compounds and used in an injection molding process, making them a sustainable material choice for EV manufacturers to further improve their sustainability scorecard.

“We have proved with this major breakthrough that �Ѳ��������™ composites are a technically and commercially viable material solution in automotive exterior applications,” says Lisa Ketelsen, head of the thermoplastic composite business of ����AV. “The end result is a newly defined aesthetic direction and benchmark for thermoplastic composites in automotive. We look forward to helping the automotive industry scale new heights with the benefits thermoplastic composites have to offer.”

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.

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.

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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.

����AV offers material solutions for improved design compared to marketable products. The range is a response to the growing customer demand for materials with increased wearing comfort. ����AV offers the right combination of materials for the perfect lightweight, flexible and hardly visible patch that provides a comfortable feel. There is no comparable offer on the market so far.

Complete solution for modern wearable patches

For this purpose, ����AV has developed special breathable thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) films from the Platilon^® range. The materials are perfectly suited and designed for customers using a roll-to-roll manufacturing process that allows wearables to be efficiently produced. The electronics can be printed on the film and embedded in thermoformable polyurethane foam covered with a second film layer for better wearing comfort. The patch is then fixed with a special skin-compatible adhesive, which adheres firmly to the skin but allows painless removal of the patch. The adhesive system and the thermoformable foam are based on Baymedix^® polyurethane raw materials. ����AV thus offers a complete solution for modern and high-quality wearable patches.

A prototype was produced in collaboration with the , which is known for its expertise in printed electronics and wearables. The materials being used are already ready for the market. In addition to the wearable patch, ����AV will present a design study at to present different wearable designs depending on their medical use.

����AV is providing convincing design and material alternatives to currently available wearable raw materials. The company is considering advances in printed electronics to demonstrate that its materials can contribute to a design with a stronger patient focus that takes into account patient comfort and skin sensitivity.

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.
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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.

"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.

�Ѳ��������™ 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.

Find more information at 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.

Focus on circular economy

The six teams in this year’s final and their ideas focus on further developing and strengthening the circular economy. “The ideas of the six finalists all have great potential to drive expansion of the circular economy,” says Dr. Markus Steilemann, CEO of ����AV. “Our contest helps encourage everyone in the company to get good ideas ready for the market as quickly as possible and turn them into genuine innovations.”

One of the business ideas involves generating power from plastic waste – so as to counter plastic pollution in the oceans and also granting access to electricity for more people in underdeveloped markets.

A sustainable means of providing clean drinking water and safe sanitary facilities is also being researched. Water pollution is to be curbed with an innovative polyurethane technology. Other ideas deal with the subject of resource efficiency, for example – such as in the shape of recyclable shipment packaging and a more sustainable, CO₂-based cleaning agent that can be degraded more easily.

Own venture for the start-up idea from the first challenge

The winners of the first Start-up Challenge now have the structures and resources they need to put their idea into practice: Their “go clear” project will become a separate venture at the research division of the Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties segment. The objective is to further develop a new technology for clean, safe and efficient refinishing of cars that speeds up the related processes and so saves paint shops time and money.

Marc Schreiber, one of the founders of “go clear,” is the venture’s head. “It’s a huge opportunity to work independently,” says Schreiber. “With go clear, I can accompany a project from the first idea to the finished product and hopefully to the first revenue it generates. I think that’s great.” go clear is still in the technical development stage at the moment. Various materials and production processes are being tested to achieve ideal objectives. The technology is to be tested by pilot customers at the end of this year.

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 employed approximately 16,800 people (calculated as full-time equivalents) at the end of 2018.

Find more information at www.covestro.com.
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Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are based on current assumptions and forecasts issued by the management of ����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.

Dr. Richard Pott, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of ����AV said: “With Sucheta Govil we have been able to secure a successful and highly regarded sales and marketing executive for our company. With her certified experience she is an ideal addition to our management team and will thus shape the future of ����AV.”

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to further develop the business with fresh ideas and to move it forward globally, along with the whole ����AV team and my new colleagues on the Managing Board,” said Govil.

Sucheta Govil was born in September 1963 in India, and has been working as a non-executive Director at Eurocell plc in London, a leading supplier of building products, since October 1, 2018. Beforehand she held leading marketing roles at the Life Sciences and Material Sciences company DSM in the Netherlands, and at Akzo Nobel Decorative Paints in the UK. She has held other positions over the course of her career including Vice President for Innovation, Commercial & Marketing at PepsiCo in AMEA (Asia, Middle East, Africa) and General Manager for Global Nutritionals Category at GlaxoSmithKline in India and the UK. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma for Business Management from the Indian Institute of Management in Calcutta, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the St. Stephen´s Institute of the University of Delhi.

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.

“At our booth, visitors can use VR glasses and videos to get an idea of what mobility could look like in the year 2030,” explains Jochen Hardt from global mobility marketing at ����AV. The Sample Bar also invites visitors to touch and feel a lot of samples – “an ideal opportunity to learn about the fascinating properties of today’s plastics,” says Jochen Hardt.

New materials for the interior

At the PIAE Congress, the company will present three new polycarbonate blends, which meet the different requirements for use in car interiors. For example, the PC+ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) blend Bayblend^® T85 XAT is anti-static and provides permanent dust-free interior paneling – in accordance with specifications of major car manufacturers. In addition, it is resistant to UV radiation and offers property improvements and cost benefits compared with the previous standard product PC+ASA (acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate).

The property profile of Bayblend^® T85 XUV features permanent light stability, excellent impact strength and low emissions of volatile organic components (VOC). On the other hand, the PC+PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) blend Makroblend^® SR60 provides good mechanical properties and cost advantages, primarily in applications with high-gloss surfaces without a coating.

The current trend: hybrid speedometers

A current trend are hybrid speedometers, which bridge the gap between previous analog combination instruments and future purely digital display solutions for display instruments. According to studies, these hybrid solutions may dominate the global automotive market by 2025.

At the VDI Congress, ����AV will present a hybrid speedometer with a black-panel and fade-out effect and precision-controlled light functions. The three dimensional surface of the instrument consists of Makrofol^® LM polycarbonate film from ����AV and was manufactured using high pressure forming (HPF); backlit symbols are seamlessly integrated. The film offers design freedom and allows functional integration of digital and analog elements. The housing was made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) using a 3D printer.

Tailor-made battery materials

����AV has many years of experience in developing polycarbonate materials for encapsulating batteries for laptops and other electronic devices. Lithium-ion batteries will also be the core component in future electric and hybrid vehicles. The company has developed various polycarbonate blends for these that meet the complex requirements and are also extremely impact-resistant over a wide temperature range – especially at sub-zero temperatures. They are suitable for battery modules, cell holders, crash absorbers and other products.

At the VDI Congress, for example, ����AV will present an Alta Pack battery from California’s e-bike specialist Alta Motors. It is encased in a housing made of the extremely impact-resistant PC+PBT blend Makroblend^®. The company helps its customers develop new products by providing technical services, e.g. with rheological, mechanical and thermal simulations for optimizing the injection molding process.

Kickoff at "Automotive Night"

Along with the VDI, ����AV cordially invites participants of the congress to the “Automotive Night,” which takes place at the Mannheim factory the evening before the congress begins. The get-together offers a good opportunity to talk to other participants, speakers and exhibitors before the event starts.

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.

A recent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has found a laptop cover made of continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites from ����AV can significantly reduce the carbon footprint by more than 70 percent compared to one made from conventional aluminum-magnesium alloy.

Better environmental performance across all impact categories

The LCA study, conducted in line with ISO 14040/14044 standards and reviewed by an independent panel of LCA experts chaired by DEKRA Assurance Service GmbH, compared a comprehensive range of parameters to assess the environmental performance of a laptop A-cover made from the two materials which are typically used for premium laptops. In all impact categories and scenarios, the composite laptop A cover shows better environmental performance than the aluminum-magnesium alloy cover from the extraction of raw materials until the end of life.

Even after the implementation of current technology developments – use of low impact cover gas for aluminum-magnesium alloy and potential benefits of recycling for both materials – the composite carbon footprint is still more than 30 percent lower.

“����AV is committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and is committed to sustainability as one of the pillars of its corporate strategy,” says Dr. Frank Buckel, responsible for sustainability at the Polycarbonates segment at ����AV. “The ecological impact of novel materials like �Ѳ��������™ during the complete lifecycle is assessed to ensure that these materials reduce the impact on the environment.”

Pushing boundaries

“Thermoplastic composites are ideally suited for producing thinner, lighter and more robust parts for IT devices that meet the needs of tomorrow,” says Lisa Ketelsen, head of the thermoplastic composites business at ����AV. “The fact that �Ѳ��������™ thermoplastics are not only mechanically competitive but also environmentally advantageous will provide the electronics industry and many other industries with a powerful solution for reducing carbon footprint and reaching their sustainability targets.”

Compared to aluminum-magnesium alloys, �Ѳ��������™ composites can also achieve weight reductions of approximately 15 percent, and the composite A cover exhibits a similar good bending and torsional rigidity compared to the metallic material. Moreover, the composite A cover meets the v-0 classification of Underwriters Laboratories' UL 94 standard.

Previously ����AV received a European Plastics Innovation Award for its composite “A-cover” for next-generation laptops in 2017. The development received the second prize in the “Best Lightweight Innovation” category.

The composite technology also enables fast and efficient production of electronic parts, by combining the three conventional steps of preheating, thermoforming and functional integration into a single process. There are two positive results: substantially lower costs and shorter cycle times.

�Ѳ��������™ composites are based on continuous carbon or glass fibers impregnated with polycarbonate, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or other thermoplastic resins.

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.
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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 range of applications is correspondingly large: it includes wind turbines, photovoltaic systems and auto parts, but also small-scale consumer products such as miniaturized electronic parts and insoles, which are manufactured in large quantities with short cycle times.

At the JEC World 2019 trade fair from March 12–14th in Paris, ����AV will present itself as a solution provider for various industries and applications. At Booth L5 in Hall 5, the company will exhibit its innovative and sustainable developments, which often feature the combination of low weight and high strength. Some of these components help to reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions in cars, and therefore also contribute to meeting the UN’s sustainability goals.

Fiber-reinforced composites for robust, thin-walled parts

Thanks to a new composite technology, extra-thin, lightweight, high-strength yet aesthetic parts can be manufactured on an industrial scale. The technology is based on continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic polymers (CFRTP) and is sold under the name Maezio™. The matrix materials used include polycarbonate, and carbon fibers are added for reinforcement. At its Markt Bibart location, ����AV uses these materials to manufacture unidirectionally reinforced tapes and panels, which are further processed by customers.

These intermediate products are particularly well-suited for producing extra-thin-walled but robust housing parts for laptops and mobile phones. In line with the current trend for thin-walled devices with a cool look, they can also be made with aesthetic surface structures. The single-stage manufacturing process enables shorter cycle times and significant cost savings.

Cooperation with EconCore

Polycarbonate and its blends, as well as CFRTPs, are the material of choice for producing lighter and more stable honeycomb panels for the interior furnishings in public buses and trains. For this application, the products must comply with specific FST (fire, smoke and toxicity) requirements.

Improving the FST performance of honeycomb panels is an important goal of the new cooperation between ����AV and EconCore N.V. It involves finding the right combination of polycarbonate types and composite materials, and adapting EconCore’s honeycomb technology to meet the requirements. The overall objective is to develop lightweight sandwich panels with higher productivity than conventional composite materials.

Efficient production of wind turbine rotor blades

A core objective of ����AV’s sustainability concept is to provide active support for climate protection. One key aspect will be promoting renewable energies, primarily wind power. More intensive use in this area will require more cost-effective production of wind turbines with even longer rotors and thus even greater power output.

To achieve this, ����AV has developed a PU resin that, in combination with glass fiber mats and an efficient vacuum infusion process, enables short cycle times and thus cost savings compared with the more commonly used epoxy resin. It is also more robust and should also be suitable for larger sheet lengths. Due to its outstanding mechanical properties, it should also be suitable to produce lighter-weight blades. Last year in China, the company installed its own wind turbines with rotor blades of nearly 60 meters, in order to test the operating capability and stability under practical conditions.

UV-resistant and robust PU material for exterior use

Desmocomp^® is another highly versatile polyurethane resin, which is ideal for outdoor applications due to its excellent weather and fire resistance. The system can be easily and effectively processed using the pultrusion process.

At JEC World 2019 ����AV will present a composite application with this product in the field of solar power: Fiber Profil S.L. intends to use this Desmocomp^® aliphatic material for the assembly of large-scale photovoltaic plants and solar thermal systems. For this purpose, the fastening elements must have outstanding mechanical properties, but also need to provide reliable protection against UV radiation.

Also, among ����AV’s wide product selection at JEC World 2019 are its Baybond^® water-based PU dispersions, which can be used as a film former in fiber sizings to increase the mechanical stability of composites.

About ����AV:

With 2017 sales of EUR 14.1 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 16,200 people (calculated as full-time equivalents) at the end of 2017.

Find more information at 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.

To meet the toughest device design challenges, ����AV developed Makrolon^® Rx2235 polycarbonate. This new medical grade features high-flow properties for a variety of healthcare applications, such as on-body devices, surgical instruments, pen injectors and IV components.

“Makrolon® Rx2235 polycarbonate sets a new benchmark for flow length and brings the expected transparency and toughness of polycarbonate to help manufacturers fill very thin walls and accurately replicate intricate features with lower pressures,” said Pierre Moulinié, global healthcare technology lead, Polycarbonates ����AV LLC. Furthermore, Moulinié points out that material savings with thin walls could be pushed even further with increased cavitation to reduce production costs.

Formulated specifically to meet rigorous healthcare industry requirements, Makrolon^® Rx2235 polycarbonate is biocompatible according to ISO 10993-1 test requirements and designed to be sterilized using gamma or e-Beam methods. It is complementary to Makrolon® 2258 polycarbonate, another ideal material for medical devices. This grade is suitable for ETO and steam sterilization, biocompatible according to many ISO 10993-1 test requirements, and offers low viscosity and easy release.

“Makrolon® Rx2235 polycarbonate is a significant addition to our broad range of medical polycarbonates,” said Doug Hamilton, global healthcare segment leader, Polycarbonates ����AV LLC. “This is just the latest example of how we continue to innovate and expand our polycarbonate portfolio, giving healthcare OEMs access to the advanced materials they need to design, develop and produce their next breakthrough.”

Attendees at , Feb. 6 and 7, in Paris, France, can visit the ����AV booth (#C94) to learn more about the company’s materials for the healthcare industry.

About ����AV:

With 2017 sales of EUR 14.1 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 16,200 people (calculated as full-time equivalents) at the end of 2017.

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.

With Gx TELC (Tamper Evident Luerlock Closure), is offering an integrated solution which combines both functions in a single component and also enables tamper-evident protection of the active ingredient. The medical technology specialist based in Düsseldorf chose the construction material from ����AV as the material for the adapter. For the first time, the company is participating at trade fair on February 6 and 7 in Paris, and will present this development at its booth number C94.

Resistant to high temperatures and impacts

The transparent high-temperature polycarbonate is characterized by its high heat resistance and can be sterilized using conventional methods such as gamma rays or ethylene oxide. "In addition, it is dimensionally stable and dimensionally accurate at high temperatures, so that the entire component does not warp after hot steam sterilization at 143 °C, for example. As a result, the closure for opening the syringe remains defined in every situation and enables an easy screwing in of the tube," explains Dr. Wenzel Novak, global senior director business development at Gerresheimer. Another advantage of the plastic is its high impact strength. It protects the adapter from damage, for example in the event of impacts.

Two functions in one component

The system comprising an adapter and a closure is produced by two-component injection molding as a hard-soft combination. First the adapter is made of copolycarbonate, then the cap is injected with a thermoplastic elastomer. "The hard thermoplastic and the soft elastomer form a firm adhesive layer. There are no chemical reactions that could cause increased torques," explains Dr. Martin Doebler, medical technology specialist at ����AV.

The combination of closure and adapter in one component simplifies the manufacturing process and means greater cost-effectiveness. The person using the syringes also benefits: he only has to mount one connected part on the syringes. Turning the cap to open the syringes releases tabs that spread and prevent the cap from closing again. This means that the syringe cannot be opened and closed unnoticed. This tamper-evident feature prevents misuse of the systems and counterfeit products with regard to medicines.

Support in material selection, application technology and processes

����AV provided Gerresheimer with extensive support during the development of the complex component – including recommendations on the correct choice of material and technical application advice. In addition, experts from the polymer manufacturer were on hand to provide advice and assistance in the design of the manufacturing process.

Apec^® 1745 is no "stranger" in medical technology. “The biocompatible material meets the requirements of the ISO 10993-1 standard for the biological evaluation of medical devices,” says Barbara Giershausen, key accounter for Gerresheimer. "It is used, for example, to manufacture films for special filter housings or respiratory masks.”

About ����AV:

With 2017 sales of EUR 14.1 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 16,200 people (calculated as full-time equivalents) at the end of 2017.

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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.

����AV has developed and tested a wide range of polycarbonates and -blends with specific grades to meet the FST performance required by railway and aviation applications. Furthermore, the company is currently developing a range of lightweight thermoplastic composite solutions under the brand name �Ѳ��������™. EconCore has developed and patented a unique manufacturing process to produce ultra-light honeycomb structures in an economic way, with a high variety of material combinations that can be fine-tuned in order to meet customers’ needs.

Meeting different requirements

Goal of the two companies’ collaboration is to optimize the FST performance of honeycomb panels in order to meet different application requirements. This shall be achieved by selecting the right combination of polycarbonate grades and composites for the honeycomb core and skin and at the same time adapting the parameters within EconCore’s honeycomb technology.

The results of preliminary FST tests, carried out by an independent institute on semi-finished, laminated honeycomb panels, are very encouraging: already at this early stage of development, sandwich-panels with different material and technology combinations have been produced and evaluated, fulfilling critical tests of EN45545 or FAR25.853 standards for various applications. Currently, the positive results of the preliminary FST tests are being verified in detailed investigations of different material combinations.

Fully integrated, continuous production

Ultimate goal of the joint development is to provide sandwich panels that fulfill the technical requirements, offer weight advantages and show better economics compared with currently used composite or metal solutions. The manufacturing process developed and patented by EconCore offers significant cost saving potential due to a high-speed and fully integrated continuous production process, where thermoplastic polymers are directly converted into a honeycomb structure and where, in addition, the sandwich skin layers can be immediately laminated onto core.

“The outstanding manufacturing process of EconCore allows tailoring our materials into lightweight sandwich panel solutions for our customers,” said Klaus Kraner, responsible for mass transportation applications in the Polycarbonates segment at ����AV. “The sandwich technology of EconCore is especially interesting for lightweight applications ����AV is targeting with �Ѳ��������™,” added Arne Böttcher, responsible for market development of the �Ѳ��������™ brand in the EMEA region.

“After succeeding in other application domains, we have decided to address inquiries of the higher end markets. The process has been proven to work very well with a wide range of thermoplastic materials, including these with FST chemistry, while EconCore’s technology has demonstrated its capability of delivering high-performance sandwich panels at high efficiency and cost levels not achievable with conventional methods,” said Tomasz Czarnecki, COO of EconCore N.V.

Finished parts in one shot

Tomasz Czarnecki adds, “We look forward to this new development and to continuing the partnership with ����AV. The polycarbonate-portfolio of our partner, combined with the composite solutions of �Ѳ��������™, provides us with the variety and quality of materials needed to meet the high technical requirements in mass-transportation markets. This journey is not only about making thermoplastic honeycomb cores. Imagine the potential benefits for the aerospace industry, if it had the option to thermoform sandwich panels into finished parts in a one-shot operation. The industry, already inclining to monolithic thermoplastic composites, has not seen such a change for decades.”

You are cordially invited to visit ����AV (booth no. L5/H5) and EconCore (booth no. R83/H6) at the forthcoming JEC World 2019 exhibition for more information.

About ����AV:

With 2017 sales of EUR 14.1 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 16,200 people (calculated as full-time equivalents) at the end of 2017.

About EconCore:

EconCore provides technology for the continuous production of honeycomb sandwich materials. The fast, versatile, continuous ThermHex process allows users to produce sandwich materials for various applications including automotive, transportation, building and construction, industrial packaging, photovoltaics, furniture and many others at minimal cost, weight and environmental impact. Several licensees of EconCore over the world operate the honeycomb sandwich panel production technology supplying performing sandwich to different markets. For more information, please visit .

Find more information at 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.