Covestro and Encina reach agreement for supply of circular raw materials

Encina, a US-based producer of ISCC PLUS certified circular chemicals, reached a long-term supply agreement for chemically recycled, circular feedstock derived from post-consumer end-of-life plastic.

Specifically, Encina will supply Covestro with benzene and toluene pending the completion of Encina's world-scale production facility, anticipated to come online at the end of 2027. 

Building upon previous sustainable sourcing efforts, this marks the first major procurement agreement involving chemically recycled, circular-based raw materials for Covestro, a step in the company’s journey towards full circularity. It also helps reduce scope 3 emissions for Covestro and its customers. 

"The ability to source raw materials from used plastics for the manufacture of our products makes a decisive contribution to realising our vision of a circular economy," said Thorsten Dreier, chief technology officer at Covestro. "This is because such raw materials not only enable the reuse of used plastics, but also have a lower carbon footprint, which leads to more sustainable end products."

Benzene and toluene are important raw materials in Covestro’s manufacturing processes used for the production of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and toluene diisocyanate (TDI), respectively. MDI and TDI are critical raw materials used to produce rigid and flexible polyurethane foams.

Benzene can also be used for the synthesis of phenol and acetone – raw materials for making polycarbonate plastics such as Makrolon. 

Encina’s proven proprietary catalytic technology produces circular feedstock with a lower carbon footprint when compared to those based on fossil fuels and an exceptionally high yield.  

"Encina is proud to be working with Covestro, a company with a long track record of innovation and commitment to sustainability. This agreement represents the beginning of what we hope to be a long-standing partnership between our companies as we work to create a truly circular economy and realise a future in which nothing is wasted," said David Roesser, chief executive officer of Encina. 

Covestro’s vision to become fully circular is predicated on four key drivers: the use of alternative raw materials, innovative recycling and renewable energy, as well as engaging in joint solutions. The agreement with Encina represents a milestone for incorporating recycling technologies, in this case chemical recycling of end-of-life plastic, into Covestro’s production.