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Covestro's Major Expansion in Ohio

Covestro, a global leader in polymer materials, is making a significant investment in its production capabilities at its Hebron site located in Ohio, USA. The company has unveiled plans for a low triple-digit million Euro investment to enhance its facilities, which includes constructing multiple new production lines dedicated to polycarbonate compounds and blends. This initiative aims to respond to the increasing demand for specialized materials in key markets such as automotive, electronics, and healthcare.

The expansion aligns with Covestro's 'Sustainable Growth' strategy, reinforcing their commitment to meet the rising customer demand for high-quality materials tailored specifically for the American market. Thorsten Dreier, the company's CTO, emphasized the importance of this move: "With this expansion, we can meet our customers' growing demand for specialized polycarbonate materials, grow together with our customers, and strengthen our position as a leading provider of polycarbonate materials in North America."

As industries in North America require customized solutions, Covestro's investment is designed to significantly increase capacity within their Solutions Specialties business. This is not just about expanding infrastructure; it's about ensuring that they can deliver consistent quality and reliability to their customers. According to Lily Wang, head of the Engineering Plastics Business Entity, the new facility will allow Covestro to better cater to the complex needs of their clients. "The expanded production capacity for differentiated polycarbonates enables us to better serve our customers' complex needs for high-quality, high-tech materials with individualized properties."

This move follows the establishment of Covestro's R&D center in Pittsburgh, which has been pivotal in driving innovations and facilitating the transfer of technology from research to practical industrial applications. Samir Hifri, chairman and president of Covestro LLC, highlighted that the new investment demonstrates the critical nature of their U.S. operations within Covestro's global strategy. He noted, "The expanded capacity of our polycarbonate compounding capabilities in Ohio will help us better supply our customers and represents a commitment to our employees, the Hebron, Ohio community, and the U.S. market as a whole."

Construction on the new production lines is set to commence in 2025, with plans for operations to begin by the end of 2026. Covestro's ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability is evident in their efforts to achieve climate neutrality for their emissions, with ambitious goals for the coming years. The company recorded sales of EUR 14.4 billion in the previous fiscal year and operates 48 production sites globally, employing around 17,500 individuals.

With this substantial investment and capacity expansion, Covestro not only strengthens its operations in North America but also solidifies its role as a key partner for industries relying on advanced polycarbonate materials for various high-tech applications. As the company continues to innovate and adapt to market needs, it remains focused on creating sustainable solutions that benefit both its clients and the environment.