Covestro and NANODAX to develop innovative polycarbonate composites reinforced with glass wool

• Covestro and NANODAX reach agreement on development collaboration
• Reinforcement with glass wool / Potential applications in the automotive, IT and electronics industries

Leverkusen, Germany, 10-Mar-2016 — /EuropaWire/ — Covestro and NANODAX Co., Ltd. have signed an agreement on the development of innovative polycarbonate composites reinforced with glass wool. Tokyo-based NANODAX has developed a special process for the manufacture of these products. Conventionally, glass fibers are used for reinforcing thermoplastics such as polycarbonate. However, the new technology developed by NANODAX and their know-how enabled the use of glass wool as reinforcing filler for plastics. It has a small diameter and is more flexible than glass fibers. Covestro is a leading global supplier of polycarbonates and has comprehensive expertise in their processing and application. Both companies see good prospects for future use of the reinforced plastics in automotive, IT and electronics applications.

“We welcome the opportunity to work with NANODAX to advance such an exciting compound technology,” said Dr. Michael Schmidt, Head of Business Development for Polycarbonates Asia Pacific at Covestro. “Our development cooperation is targeting diverse application areas for polycarbonates reinforced with glass wool, and will open up new prospects for both companies. In particular, we are aiming at advantages in surface appearance and material processing. Cost reductions for customers are expected through an optimized injection molding manufacturing process.”

NANODAX Chairman and Executive Director Masanori Fujita added, “Together with Covestro, we aim to introduce our new materials and new technology to the global market. We value the global presence and technical expertise of our partner.”

The joint development work will be performed primarily at Covestro´s Polymer Research & Development Center (PRDC) in Shanghai, China.

About Covestro:
With 2015 sales of EUR 12.1 billion, Covestro is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction and the sports and leisure industries. Covestro, formerly Bayer MaterialScience, has 30 production sites around the globe and as of the end of 2015 employed approximately 15,800 people (full-time equivalents).

About NANODAX:
NANODAX Co., Ltd was the first to industrialize glass wool reinforced resins in the world and is now pushing forward various resin reinforcement technology developments. NANODAX is a venture company with a portfolio including heating-style glass wool charging system technology, a special additive on the nano level, incombustible, ultra lightweight glass wool board with very good thermal insulation properties, and sound isolation.

Find more information at www.covestro.com.
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Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Covestro AG. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Covestro’s public reports which are available on the Covestro website at www.covestro.com. Covestro assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

SOURCE: Covestro AG

Media Contact

Dr. Frank Rothbarth

Covestro Deutschland AG
External Communications / Trade press
Covestro Deutschland AG
51365 Leverkusen
Germany
Phone: +49 214 6009 2536
frank.rothbarth@covestro.com

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Covestro and NANODAX want to jointly develop innovative polycarbonate composites reinforced with glass wool. NANODAX President Masanori Fujita (middle) as well as Covestro experts Dr. Michael Schmidt (Head of Business Development for Polycarbonates in Asia-Pacific, right) and Dr. Christian Haessler see good prospects for future use of the reinforced plastics in automotive, IT and electronics applications. Haessler manages the Polymer Research & Development Center (PRDC) of Covestro in Shanghai, where the development work will be performed.