Materials for the digital age

The 5th-generation mobile communications standard is set to bring about radical change. Not only will it be possible to download films in a matter of seconds thanks to data transmission rates of up to 10 gigabits, but 5G’s extremely low latency will also enable real-time communication – between cars and the internet, to name just one example. Regarded as a basis for the breakthrough of the Internet of Things, the standard is also considered a cornerstone of Industry 4.0 as well as of a number of other groundbreaking trends in all spheres of life and economic sectors.

But there are challenges to be overcome: 5G transmits its signals on a particular wavelength and has to operate extremely reliably for applications such as self-driving cars. It follows that many more base stations need to be deployed, with estimates ranging from 500,000 to 800,000 in Germany alone. In Japan, the government recently gave the go-ahead for its 200,000 or so traffic lights to host this 5G network infrastructure. State-of-the-art materials and designs and new collaborations are required if the cityscape is not to be defaced as a result. This is precisely why 2019 saw Covestro, Deutsche Telekom and Sweden’s Umeå Institute of Design (UID) join forces in a pilot project to develop creative designs for 5G base station housings capable of blending seamlessly into their urban surroundings. These might come in the guise of colorful birds perching on a traffic light or street lamp, masquerade as a clock at a bus stop, or be camouflaged in the color of the building on whose facade they are mounted.

Innovative material solutions

Material solutions from Covestro satisfy the associated requirements to the letter: they are weather-resistant, offer design versatility, allow 5G signals to penetrate and can be recycled or made of recycled polycarbonate. “We’re well prepared for the breakthrough of 5G and have the solutions to cope with the forthcoming growth in demand for base stations and the associated materials,” says Dr. Fabian Grote, Industrial Marketing Manager at Covestro.

Packing a punch

Ongoing climate change and limited fossil resources are accelerating the breakthrough of new vehicle concepts and alternative drive technologies. Electric vehicles are gaining ground as a future means of transport. According to estimates by consultants Deloitte, some 21 million electric cars will be sold in 2030. This development opens up huge market potential for Covestro and offers many new applications for materials, for instance when it comes to the heart of any e-car: the battery.

Many battery cells have to be packed tightly together to ensure a high storage capacity. Cell holders, hybrid metal-plastic cooling plates, frames, crash absorbers and other battery pack parts made from the right material protect the cells and enable them to work efficiently. The right material includes polycarbonate from Covestro. Lightweight, stable, heat-resistant, mechanically robust, impact-resistant and flame-retardant, it boasts just the right properties for the e-mobility of the future, combining minimum material consumption with maximum performance, while also reducing battery maintenance.

Versatile polycarbonates

The use of these materials makes for secure and well-cooled battery packs and renders cars lighter and more efficient. Batteries can also be customized to precise specifications. “The properties of our material are consistent with e-mobility requirements. We’re currently working on processes for the mass production of the necessary complex components to enable us to respond flexibly to market conditions and customer specifications in the future,” says Steven Daelemans, an electromobility expert at Covestro. We are thus working on sustainable product innovations for one of the megatrends of our age, while at the same time strengthening our robust portfolio of products that are more resilient to cyclical fluctuations.”

Full solar power ahead!

In 2019, an international team of students from RWTH Aachen University and FH Aachen University of Applied Science once again showed how it’s possible to drive thousands of kilometers without a drop of fuel – in a new model of their solar-powered Sonnenwagen. Thanks to its ingenious design, the vehicle weighed under 170 kilograms and could travel at up to 145 kph, helped by high-quality and innovative materials from Covestro in its headlamps, steering wheel, engine and coating.

The concept car was developed to compete in Australia’s 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge over a demanding 3,000-kilometer course. “Thanks to the car’s lightweight and functional materials, we were able to finish in an impressive sixth place,” says Markus Eckstein, Sonnenwagen Aachen team chairman.

This project forms part of Covestro’s strategy of developing sustainable and innovative solutions in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. When it comes to the development of mobility concepts, the focus is on goal 13, Climate Action.