Covestro, BYD forge strategic partnership to advance sustainable materials innovation

Gasgoo Munich- On July 13, Covestro and leading new energy vehicle manufacturer BYD signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) establishing a long-term strategic partnership. The agreement is designed to accelerate the development and adoption of advanced material solutions across electric vehicles, energy storage systems and other next-generation technologies, supporting BYD's expanding business portfolio.

Image source: Covestro

The partnership marks a shift from a conventional supplier-customer relationship to broader collaboration across the value chain. Rather than focusing solely on material supply, the two companies plan to work together on innovation initiatives spanning mobility, energy and intelligent systems, reflecting a shared view that future technologies will require deeper cross-industry cooperation. For Covestro, the collaboration also aligns with its long-term "Sustainable Future" strategy by expanding opportunities in circular materials and high-performance material solutions as material innovation becomes an increasingly important competitive differentiator.

Under the MoU, Covestro and BYD will deepen cooperation in new energy vehicles, power batteries, public transportation, energy storage and emerging technology applications. Their collaboration will include joint research and development, co-engineering of new technologies and the exploration of potential strategic investment opportunities.

As part of the agreement, Covestro will dedicate R&D resources to support joint material innovation projects with BYD. The materials supplier will also provide secure supply capacity, customized technical services and early access to newly developed material technologies. In return, BYD plans to involve Covestro at an earlier stage of future vehicle programs and technology roadmaps across its broader business operations, enabling closer collaboration from concept development through commercialization.

Covestro said its expertise in polycarbonate and polyurethane technologies, backed by decades of experience serving the automotive and electronics industries, provides a strong complement to BYD's expanding technology portfolio.

Image source: Covestro

The company highlighted its established materials portfolio for new energy vehicles, including solutions for automotive lighting, premium interior and exterior components, and intelligent electronic systems, designed to enhance both vehicle functionality and aesthetics.

For power batteries and energy storage systems, Covestro offers lightweight, high-performance materials that balance safety, thermal management and cost efficiency for electric vehicles and residential energy storage applications.

Regarding the next-generation cutting-edge technologies, the company said its portfolio of high-performance engineering polymers is engineered for demanding operating environments, combining lightweight construction with structural strength, thermal and electrical management, and long-term durability to support the next generation of mobility and intelligent technology platforms.

Beyond technology development, sustainability will be another core pillar of the partnership. Covestro and BYD will jointly advance low-carbon and circular material solutions designed to reduce the environmental footprint of next-generation mobility, energy and intelligent systems. As part of this effort, Covestro's CQ (Circular Intelligence) material portfolio, which incorporates at least 25% alternative raw materials, is expected to play a key role in supporting the partners' long-term sustainability objectives.