- Covestro has started a new PUD production facility in Dormagen and is expanding in Barcelona.
- New facilities are being built in China, with plans to resume and modernize production in the U.S.
- Demand is driven by the coatings and adhesives industry seeking sustainable waterborne systems.
- PUDs are used in automotive, wood, furniture coatings, adhesives, textiles, and plastic composites.
Expansion in Europe and Beyond
Covestro has initiated operations at a new production facility for aqueous polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) at its Dormagen site. This expansion is complemented by increased production in Barcelona, significantly boosting capacities in Europe. To meet global demand, Covestro is also constructing a new facility in China and planning to resume and modernize production in the United States.
Rising Demand and Regulatory Compliance
The new capacity is primarily driven by rising demand from the coatings and adhesives industry, which is shifting from solvent-based products to more sustainable waterborne systems. This trend is further supported by regulations requiring lower emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC).
Applications of Polyurethane Dispersions
Polyurethane dispersions have a wide range of applications. Products in the Bayhydrol® UH, U, and UV series, as well as Bayhytherm®, are used in base coats for automotive OEM and refinishing coatings, wood and furniture coatings, and long-wearing floor coatings. Adhesives formulated with Dispercoll® U are utilized in the production of furniture, shoes, and in the automotive industry.
Specialized Products
Under the name Impranil®, low-solvent raw materials are crucial in producing coated textiles and polyurethane synthetics. PUDs in the Baybond® product line are used in glass fiber sizings to create robust plastic composites. These film formers adhere well to fibers while maintaining elasticity in thermoplastic composites to ensure necessary stability.
