Covestro officially launched its new thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) production base in Zhuhai, Guangdong, on January 22.
Image Source: Covestro
The initial phase involves an investment running into the tens of millions of euros. With an annual capacity of roughly 30,000 tons, the facility aims to meet surging demand for the versatile material across the IT, automotive, and footwear sectors.
This investment underscores Covestro's commitment to localizing operations and bolstering its Solutions & Specialties business—a plan first unveiled in 2023. Spanning 45,000 square meters, the site is being developed in three phases. Once fully operational in the 2030s, it will boast a maximum annual capacity of 120,000 tons, securing its status as Covestro's largest TPU facility worldwide.
Notably, Covestro operates a TPU Asia-Pacific R&D center in Changhua and has recently established an application development center in Guangzhou. These hubs will merge technical expertise with innovative, customized solutions to support the Zhuhai base. The collaboration among the three sites is expected to generate strong regional synergies, enabling Covestro to deliver superior service across the Asia-Pacific region.
The Zhuhai base demonstrates Covestro's long-term commitment to the Chinese market, aligning closely with the country's high-quality development and sustainability agendas, according to Lei Huanli, President of Covestro China. This investment deepens the company's focus on Guangdong and the Greater Bay Area, establishing it as a strategic business hub alongside Shanghai. The new facility will strengthen local capabilities in delivering innovative solutions to customers throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
