Covestro launches automated laboratory to accelerate the development of coating and adhesive formulations

In view of growing demands for sustainability, performance and regulatory compliance, Covestro plans to focus on automation in research and development: in 2025, a specially developed laboratory is to start operations that will focus on optimising binders and crosslinkers for coatings and adhesives. These components play a key role in determining properties such as hardness, adhesion, gloss and durability, and are therefore crucial to the performance of the end products.

The laboratory is designed for 24/7 operation and is expected to perform tens of thousands of tests annually. With the help of automated test series, digital tools and data-based processes, not only can significantly more combinations be examined, but they can also be evaluated more efficiently and in a more targeted manner. In this way, standard formulations could be optimised more quickly or completely new ones developed.

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Self-learning system and focus on circular economy

A central element of the new facility is the use of structured data: the information generated in the laboratory is combined with existing data sets and analysed using machine learning algorithms. The aim is to simulate new test series based on desired properties and to test them in real time in the laboratory – a step towards a self-learning system.

Covestro sees great potential, particularly in the context of the circular economy: according to the company, alternative raw materials such as bio-based or recycled materials can be evaluated more quickly and tested for their practical suitability. The laboratory also simulates various climate conditions to reproduce real-world application conditions as accurately as possible.

More efficient collaboration and targeted special tests

According to Covestro, the automated laboratory does not replace the expertise of the specialists, but complements it. By outsourcing routine tests, specialised laboratories gain capacity for more complex, customer-specific issues. ‘We are reaching a new level of modern research,’ emphasises Thomas Büsgen, head of the new laboratory. In addition to 1K and 2K systems based on water or solvents, the facility also carries out material testing on raw materials, formulations and applied layers.

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