Covestro and Haier plan joint laboratory for digitalisation
25.01.2019
Covestro and the Haier Group have agreed to set up a joint laboratory in Qingdao, China, for the digitalisation of appliance production.
Both parties have signed an agreement with the project to be supported by the Haier Institute of Industrial Intelligence. The laboratory will develop digital solutions for using polyurethanes in appliance production in line with Covestro’s digitalisation strategy and with objective of setting the benchmark for digitalising the chemical industry. With the development of digital solutions, Covestro hopes to open up new avenues for helping household appliance manufacturers overcome modern challenges.
Covestro’s Dr Ulrich Liman, Global Head of Research and Development, Polyurethanes, said: "With this collaboration, Covestro benefits from its comprehensive experience with polyurethane and foam technologies, while Haier brings in its expertise in industrial automation and the analysis of large volumes of data. This combination is bringing forth a new era of digital transformation in the chemical industry." Both partners aim for innovative solutions for data collection and analysis, monitoring foam quality and process workflows and continuously optimising processes.
Pioneering productionLaunched by Haier, COSMOPlat realises the transformation from mass manufacturing to mass customisation, reshaping the industrial value chain and eco-chain, and further empower enterprises, users and suppliers.China has driven digital transformation, and for the traditional chemical industry this has an impact on the development of upstream and downstream value chains. Covestro and Haier’s agreement is the basis for a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership, continuous development and innovative digital solutions.
Empowered by COSMOPlat, digital solutions can also be applied to the development of customised solutions for diversified polyurethane applications so as to achieve mass customisation. As an important initiative of Covestro's global digital strategy, the lab will focus on developing digital solutions related to polyurethane materials to push forward smart manufacturing in domestic appliance and mass customisation in the chemical industry.