Covestro pioneers the supply of biomass-based renewable TDI

In Germany, Covestro now offers a renewable toluene diisocyanate (TDI) obtained via mass balancing with biomass waste which provides a significant reduction of the CO2 footprint from cradle to factory gate – with the same high quality as fossil-based products. One important application is flexible foams for upholstered furniture.

TDI is an important raw material for flexible polyurethane foam, and provides a high level of comfort in mattresses and upholstered furniture, but also in car seats and shoes. Covestro manufactures the renewable TDI both in Dormagen, Germany, and in Caojing, China, using the mass balance method. Both sites are certified according to the ISCC PLUS standard.

In this mass balance approach, raw materials derived from biomass or waste are fed in at an early stage of raw material extraction and mathematically attributed to the finished products. This saves fossil raw materials and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, while the quality of the mass-balanced products remains the same compared to purely fossil-based ones. Manufacturers can continue to use their proven formulations, equipment and processes, meanwhile gradually transforming their product portfolio towards a more sustainable one and achieving their climate targets.