Covestro's integrated site in Shanghai obtains ISCC Plus certification, further improving sustainability

● Covestro's first ISCC Plus certification base in Asia Pacific

● Provide customers with solutions that have stable product quality and can be directly applied

● The first order will be delivered to the electronics industry

● Shanghai base will purchase green power from solar power

Covestro announced that its integrated site in Shanghai has recently obtained ISCC Plus quality balance certification. This means that Covestro has the ability to supply high-performance polycarbonate plastics made of alternative raw materials and polyurethane raw material diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) in large quantities to customers in the Asia-Pacific region. The quality of these products is consistent with the corresponding fossil The base product is no different.

The Shanghai Integrated Base has thus become the first base of Covestro to obtain ISCC Plus certification in the Asia-Pacific region, and it is also the company's largest production base in the world. Covestro's Antwerp, Belgium and Heuldingen sites in Europe received this certification at the end of last year. At the same time, two local trading entities, Covestro (Shanghai) Investment Co., Ltd. and Covestro (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd., have also recently obtained ISCC Plus certification.

This means that products certified for quality balance can now be seamlessly delivered from Covestro's production and trading departments to downstream industries. Covestro’s Shanghai integrated site’s first order of quality-balance-certified Makrolon® RE series polycarbonate will be delivered to the electronics industry in September.

"I am very proud that we can take a big step on the road to achieve a comprehensive circular vision to meet the demand for more sustainable products." Covestro Chief Commercial Officer Su Zhiya (Sucheta Govil) said, "With the latest quality balance With certification, we are able to directly support customers in the Asia-Pacific region and reduce their carbon footprint. This solution does not require technical transformation and can be directly applied to existing production processes."

Quality balance method using alternative raw materials

Dr. Chen Yun, General Manager of Covestro’s Shanghai Integrated Base, said: “This is a key step for us to achieve carbon neutrality and the ultimate circular economy. We have not only obtained external certification, but also actively promote the use of more sustainable The goal of reducing carbon footprint will be implemented in all aspects of product production, distribution and raw material procurement."

Mass balance is a chain of custody method that allows fossil raw materials and alternative raw materials to be mixed in production but separated in bookkeeping. This method can track materials through the value chain and allocate alternative raw materials such as bio-based raw materials to selected end products. Through the mass balance method, alternative raw materials are introduced into the value chain, while making full use of the existing high-efficiency chemical production infrastructure with economies of scale, thereby accelerating the transformation of the plastics industry to a circular economy.

Reduce CO2 footprint by up to 80%

Compared with fossil-based products, Covestro's mass balance products containing alternative raw materials have the same quality and performance, but have a significantly lower carbon footprint. For example, Makrolon® RE can reduce its carbon footprint by up to 80% compared with standard raw materials, contributing to the fight against climate change. Covestro plans to introduce renewable energy for the production and use of electricity at its European bases by the end of this year, so as to make some Makrolon®RE polycarbonate products carbon neutral. Bases in other regions will follow up.

As part of the transition to a circular economy, Covestro is gradually turning to alternative raw materials including renewable raw materials. With the certification of polycarbonate and the intermediate product MDI, Covestro is strengthening the use of alternative raw materials. Polycarbonate is widely used in high-end fields such as automobiles and electronics. MDI can be used to produce rigid polyurethane foam, which is used as a high-efficiency thermal insulation material and has been widely used in refrigeration equipment and buildings.

ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) is an internationally recognized certification system for sustainable development of biomass and bioenergy. The standard is applicable to all stages of the value chain and is recognized globally.

Gradually increase the proportion of renewable energy

In addition, Covestro Shanghai Integrated Base recently reached an agreement with Datang Wuzhong New Energy Co., Ltd. to purchase about 100 million kWh of green power from its Ningxia photovoltaic power station each year. These electricity accounts for about 10% of the annual electricity demand of the Shanghai base, which will further increase the proportion of its renewable energy utilization. By gradually using renewable energy in production, Covestro has taken another step towards its vision of a circular economy.