Covestro has launched a new TPU application development centre in China

• The three-site network is now complete, integrating the AD Center in Guangzhou, production operations in Zhuhai, and R&D facilities in Changhua to enhance regional synergies.

• We are strategically positioned near major industry hubs for consumer electronics, automotive, footwear, PPF, and speciality extrusion applications.

• Co-located engineering plastics and speciality films teams provide integrated compounding, colour, and film expertise to support customer needs engineering plastics

Covestro has officially inaugurated its new Thermoplastic Polyurethanes (TPU) Application Development (AD) Centre in Guangzhou, China, marking an important step in the company’s strategy to strengthen customer-focused innovation across the Asia-Pacific region. The newly established AD Center complements Covestro’s Zhuhai facility, which recently commenced operations and is set to become the company’s largest TPU production site globally, along with its established regional R&D center in Changhua. Together, these three locations create an integrated network that combines research and development, application innovation, and large-scale manufacturing capabilities.

The Asia-Pacific TPU market, particularly in South China, continues to experience robust demand driven by rapidly expanding sectors such as consumer electronics, automotive, and speciality films. The new Guangzhou AD Center enhances the company’s capability to address these evolving market needs by delivering customised material solutions through closer technical engagement and collaboration with customers.

“This new application development centre represents a strategic cornerstone in our global TPU strategy to grow in high-value and emerging segments in Asia-Pacific,” said Dr Andrea Maier-Richter, global head of TPU at Covestro. “We will explore, pilot and upscale new application fields for TPU in robotics, healthcare and mobility solutions together with our customers – in close collaboration and at the heart of the market.”

Capabilities designed for speed and precision

The centre accelerates customer development processes by enabling faster innovation and testing. It has processing simulation lines that copy real-world extrusion and injection moulding conditions, allowing quick changes to formulations and materials. These capabilities help minimise trial cycles, reduce time-to-market, and provide customised solutions tailored to specific application requirements.

“Asia is home to some of the world’s most dynamic and fast-moving industries, and our customers here expect partners who can keep pace with them. This centre is our answer to that, bringing together our cross-business capabilities under one roof right here in South China,” said Holly Lei, President of Covestro China. “It also reflects our deep commitment to this market and our belief that true innovation happens when you are close to your customers and the industry.”

Driving value creation through cross-business synergies

A key feature of the Guangzhou AD Centre is its integrated multi-business structure, where Engineering Plastics (EP) and Speciality Films (SF) teams operate from the same location, enabling stronger collaboration and faster capability integration. The EP team contributes expertise in compounding and colour technologies, supporting in-house colour matching for applications including consumer electronics, footwear, and paint protection films (PPF). Meanwhile, the SF team supports pilot-scale production and finished product commissioning for high-performance films and other extrusion-based applications. By combining expertise and resources across multiple business units, this collaborative model enhances innovation and delivers greater value to customers.

“Innovation at Covestro is led by our markets and constantly strives to combine our global strengths across the business entities for our customers,” said Dr Christian Haessler, Head of Global Innovation TPU at Covestro. “TPU is a material for a more sustainable future, and the Guangzhou AD Center will enable the development of highly versatile and recyclable TPU material solutions in one of the most dynamic innovation ecosystems worldwide.”

The Guangzhou AD Center is now operational and open for collaboration with customers and partners across the Asia-Pacific region, providing comprehensive end-to-end support ranging from initial material consultation and development to pilot production and technical troubleshooting.

Source: Covestro