A nomination that underscores the potential of chemistry-based innovations for the building materials industry: The materials company Covestro from Leverkusen has been nominated for the German Future Prize 2024. The award from the Federal President honors outstanding technical and scientific developments that have both societal relevance and market viability. For building chemistry and adjacent sectors, the nomination signals the increasing importance of polymeric materials in decarbonization and material transformation.
Covestro is a globally leading manufacturer of high-performance polymers that are used, among other things, in insulation materials, thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS), and coatings. Products based on polyurethane (PUR) and polyisocyanurate (PIR) are established in building insulation according to GEG standards and contribute significantly to reducing heat loss. The specific technology that Covestro is entering in the competition for the Future Prize is not specified in this report, but in recent years the company has advanced several developments based on bio-based raw materials, CO₂-reduced precursors, and circular economy approaches.
For planners and materials managers in building construction, the further development of PIR/PUR-based insulation materials is of direct importance. These materials achieve lambda values (λ) in the range of 0.020–0.025 W/(m·K) and thus enable slim constructions with high insulation performance. Additionally, the industry is working on reducing the carbon footprint of polyols and isocyanates, which are the main components used in foam production. The nomination could be an indicator that Covestro has achieved a measurable breakthrough here – for example through the use of CO₂ as a raw material or through recyclable polymer structures that meet the requirements for circular building.
In the context of the building materials industry, Covestro is directly connected to manufacturers such as BASF Construction Chemicals, which also develop polymeric building materials and additives, as well as to insulation material producers like ROCKWOOL or ISOVER, which represent alternative material systems. The award will be presented in the fall; regardless of the outcome, the nomination underscores the strategic role of the chemical industry in the sustainable transformation of the construction sector.
