Covestro Leads The Way in TDI Supply Based on Renewable Raw Materials

Covestro has started supplying toluene diisocyanate (TDI) produced from renewable raw materials to customers in various regions, further expanding its portfolio of raw materials relevant to the circular economy. Produced from renewable raw materials, these TDI products significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the cradle-to-gate life cycle stage and have the same high quality as fossil-based products. TDI is a key raw material for the production of flexible polyurethane foam, which brings a high degree of comfort to mattresses and upholstered furniture, as well as car seats and shoes. Covestro is producing TDI from renewable raw materials at its Dormagen site in Germany and its integrated site in Shanghai using a mass balance approach. Both sites have achieved ISCC PLUS mass balance certification.

For Covestro, offering mass-balanced TDI produced from renewable raw materials is a logical further development in order to make TDI, an important chemical raw material, more sustainable. Dr. Klaus Schäfer, Chief Technology Officer of Covestro, explained: "Many years ago, we had significantly improved the energy efficiency of TDI production by using our unique gas phase technology, and then we committed to using green electricity to make production possible. Today, this latest development clearly shows how we are consistently pursuing climate neutrality in our production as well as a circular economy. By using renewable raw materials based on a mass balance approach, we are striving to significantly reduce emissions from supply Indirect emissions from the chain, offering products with a lower carbon footprint.”

Sucheta Govil, Chief Commercial Officer of Covestro, said: “As Covestro moves to products based on a mass balance approach, we can help customers in various industries achieve their climate goals and accelerate the transition to a circular economy. At the same time, we are increasing The use of large alternative raw materials helps different value chains to reduce CO2 emissions.” Customers can use the TDI produced from renewable raw materials as a direct alternative, which can be quickly and easily applied to existing production processes without technical modifications.

Polyurethane soft foam prepared from TDI and long-chain polyols is an important material for the production of seat cushions and mattresses. TDI produced from renewable raw materials not only meets the demand for more sustainable production, but also has the same excellent quality, comfort and breathability as fossil-based TDI. Demand from the automotive industry is also rising, for example, TDI produced from renewable raw materials can be used as an alternative raw material to produce car seat cushions with a lower carbon footprint.

A Pioneer in Constant Pursuit of Sustainability: Shengnuo Group

At the end of last year, Covestro signed the first commercial order for TDI certified by mass balance with Shengnuo Group, a world-renowned manufacturer and seller of polyurethane upholstered household products from China. Both parties have a clear commitment to the circular economy, and Shengnuo Group hopes to be the first customer to use this new type of TDI for production in order to achieve emission reduction. The TDI order was delivered by Covestro Shanghai Integrated Base. With its global presence, the company has the ability to provide a larger amount of mass-balanced TDI.

In the mass balance method, raw materials derived from biomass or waste are introduced at an early stage of raw material extraction and assigned mathematically to the final product. This saves the use of fossil raw materials and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and the quality of the mass-balanced product is consistent with purified stone-based products. Manufacturers can continue to use their proven formulations, equipment and processes while gradually transforming their product portfolio to a more sustainable one to meet their climate goals.