Solar Impulse Foundation supports clean and profitable developments

by Suman Gupta

“Covestro technologies are Efficient Solutions”

Solar greenhouse dryers for food preservation

Mumbai, January 2020: Covestro (India), a leading producer of advanced and high-performance polymers in India and around the globe is making the world a brighter place by developing sustainable and innovative solutions made of efficient and versatile materials. Being recognised for 1000 sustainability solution labelling, Covestro has recently been granted the Solar Impulse Efficient Solutions Label for two projects, which have been proven as economically profitable as well as environmentally protective solutions: solar-powered greenhouses for drying food to preserve it, and a waterborne technology called INSQIN® for sustainable textile coating. This Label from the Solar Impulse Foundation serves as a new and credible symbol and as a guarantee of quality to those looking to implement clean solutions.

“With our Solar Impulse Efficient Solution label we want to acknowledge and publicise developments like these Covestro technologies – developments, which can boost economic growth while preserving the environment,” explains Bertrand Piccard, Swiss pioneer and founder of the Solar Impulse Foundation. “By selecting a thousand Efficient Solutions, we want to support and speed up the implementation of clean and profitable solutions in the industry.”

“Inclusive Business of Covestro tries to bring about sustainable social transformation through innovative projects/solutions to overcome challenges the world is facing currently and the Indian subcontinent in particular. Through the installation of solar dyers, we want to boost the local economic development and also to support social progress by integrating  low-income communities in the value chain. Solar Impulse Efficient Solutions Label is an encouraging recognition of the technology which we have been able to effectively demonstrate for the benefit of the farmers,” said Mr. B Veeralakshmanan, Head of Inclusive Business at Covestro (India) Private Limited

The solar greenhouse dryer is an efficient, decentralized, cost-effective and sustainable solution for reduction of post-harvest losses in agricultural products. The high efficiency of the dryer is achieved through the use of polycarbonate for construction of a parabolically shaped greenhouse. The material is transparent to visible and in particular infrared light and shows good thermal insulating properties, allowing the dryer to heat up quickly. The installation of solar dryers for food preservation is part of Covestro´s “inclusive business” approach, with which the company wants to strengthen local economic development, alleviate poverty and support social progress by integrating low-income communities in the value chain. So far Covestro has provided the materials for the installation of more than 1,500 solar dryers in different sizes in India and different ASEAN countries, by that significantly increasing the income of regional farmers.

About Covestro:With 2018 sales of EUR 14.6 billion, Covestro is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, construction, wood processing and furniture, and electrical and electronics industries. Other sectors include sports and leisure, cosmetics, health and the chemical industry itself. The company is very well established in India with three manufacturing facilities across the country at Greater Noida, Ankleshwar and Cuddalore. Covestro has 30 production sites worldwide and employs approximately 16,800 people (calculated as full-time equivalents) at the end of 2018.