20.04.2023

Covestro plans to further increase its global production capacity for polycarbonate (PC) specialty films to meet the rising demand in the Asia-Pacific region and worldwide. The company has started building new extrusion lines at the Map Ta Phut Industrial Park in Thailand. The films of the Makrofol^® range are used primarily in identity documents, automotive displays, and electrical and electronic applications. The investment is in the higher double-digit million euro range, the completion is scheduled for 2025. A total of around 50 new jobs will be created.

"With this investment, we are strengthening our Solutions & Specialties segment and are committed to further expanding our growth businesses," says Sucheta Govil, Chief Commercial Officer of Covestro."At the same time, we are responding to an increasing demand and supporting the expansion of future technologies and industries."

Photo: Groundbreaking ceremony for the new polycarbonate film plant. Five men and a woman with shovels in front of a pile of sand. Behind them, a large Covestro sign; Copyright: Covestro

Groundbreaking ceremony for the new polycarbonate film plant in Map Ta Phut, Thailand, with Aleta Richards, Global Head of the Specialty Films segment, Timo Slawinski, Head of Covestro's Map Ta Phut site, and Michael Boediger, Head of Operations in the Specialty Films segment. Source: Covestro

"We want to drive growth in the polycarbonate films business with innovation and a strong customer focus," says Aleta Richards, Global Head of the Specialty Films segment. "In doing so, we aim to intensify our collaboration with customers in the Asia-Pacific region and expand our product portfolio for the circular economy."

Expanded range of films made from alternative raw materials

Image: Front and back of Jane Doe's identification document with photo; Copyright: Covestro

ID documents are one of the most important applications for polycarbonate films. Source: Covestro

Covestro already offers a whole range of more sustainable PC films, for example mass-balanced grades certified to the internationally recognized ISCC PLUS standard. Raw materials for these films are produced using biowaste and residual materials, which are taken into account in the value chain and in production and attributed to the products.

Since 2022, the Map Ta Phut site has also been ISCC PLUS certified, enabling it to manufacture and supply mass-balanced products. Customers can use these products in their established processes and apply them to meet their sustainability goals. In addition, Covestro already offers a range of films made partly with plant-based raw materials or recycled plastics.