What is Covestro's 'Material Effect' strategy, and how does it go beyond traditional material supply?

Covestro's 'Material Effect' strategy redefines the role of materials from passive raw inputs to active enablers of industrial innovation and value creation. As explained by Wang Li, President of Covestro Engineering Plastics, the strategy emphasizes deep, early-stage collaboration with customers — from design phase onward — to co-develop high-performance, sustainable material solutions tailored to emerging sectors like eVTOL aircraft, humanoid robots, smart energy systems, and medical wearables. It involves systemic material integration — such as polycarbonate sensor covers, polyurethane battery encapsulants, and TPU tactile films — that directly address critical technical hurdles including lightweighting, long-term outdoor reliability, signal transparency, and skin-like elasticity. Crucially, 'Material Effect' positions Covestro not as a conventional supplier but as a 'materials partner' embedded in the value chain, contributing to industry standard-setting, cost-efficient R&D, and global market expansion — exemplified by collaborations with Hikrobot and Shanghai Kaizhong, and projects like the portable energy storage system with Platinum Energy. The vision is 'serving China from China, facing the world.'

How does Covestro apply its 'Material Effect' strategy specifically to the development of humanoid robots?

Covestro applies its 'Material Effect' strategy to humanoid robots through targeted, function-driven material innovations integrated across multiple subsystems: transparent, signal-permeable polycarbonate for robot face masks; thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) thin-film solutions for fingertip contact points — delivering high elasticity, human-like texture, and precise haptic signal transmission via printed electronics; and polyurethane-based elastic components for robotic feet to ensure dynamic responsiveness and durability. Wang Li emphasized that these are not off-the-shelf materials but co-developed, application-specific solutions born from close collaboration with customers during early design stages. This approach supports commercialization by solving real-world engineering challenges — such as tactile sensitivity, structural integrity, and aesthetic functionality — while enabling faster iteration and scalability. The strategy is further reinforced by strategic partnerships, including the signed agreement with Hikrobot (where Covestro acts both as robot user and materials provider) and Shanghai Kaizhong (focusing on elastomer applications in robotic motion systems), underscoring Covestro’s dual role in advancing both robot hardware performance and ecosystem development.

Covestro President Wang Li Highlights 'Material Effect' Strategy at Industry Exhibition

Apr 29, 2026

Covestro Engineering Plastics President Wang Li showcased innovative material solutions for eVTOL, robotics, and energy sectors at a major exhibition, announcing strategic partnerships with Hikvision Robotics and Shanghai Kaizhong Materials.

ccin

2026-04-29

Covestro President Wang Li Highlights 'Material Effect' Strategy at Industry Exhibition

Covestro President Wang Li Highlights 'Material Effect' Strategy at Industry Exhibition

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