Materials supplier Covestro says it is once again expanding its range of sustainable raw materials with the addition of renewable toluene diisocyanate (TDI) to its range, which is said to provide a significant reduction in CO2 footprint from cradle to factory gate.
TDI is an important raw material for the production of flexible polyurethane foam used in car seats and a variety of other applications. Covestro manufactures the renewable TDI both in Dormagen, Germany, and in Caojing, China, using the mass balance method. The company notes that both sites are certified according to the ISCC PLUS standard.
Dr Klaus Schäfer, CTO at the company, said, “Already years ago, our unique gas phase technology was a milestone toward more energy efficiency in the production of TDI. After that we committed ourselves to ensure a further reduction in emissions from our production by switching to green electricity. This additional improvement now makes it clear how consistently we are pursuing our path to climate-neutral production and the circular economy: By using mass-balanced renewable raw materials, we are now also striving to significantly reduce our indirect emissions in the supply chain and to offer products with a reduced carbon footprint.”
The company states that customers can use the TDI as a drop-in solution, meaning it can be implemented rapidly and easily in existing production processes without the need for technical modifications. The TDI apparently meets consumer demands for more sustainable production while still possessing the optimal comfort and high breathability of fossil-based products, while also fulfilling expectations of the automotive industry as an alternative raw material for car seat cushions with a lower carbon footprint.
