Solar Impulse Foundation supports clean and profitable developments

Solar greenhouse dryers for food preservation / Waterborne INSQIN® technology for sustainable textile coating

“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.”

Dr. Christian Haessler, Head of Sustainability at Covestro, welcomes the new labeling: “This is an excellent confirmation by independent experts that our company is much committed to truly sustainable developments, which are beneficial for society, create value and reduce the environmental impact. This includes above all the fulfillment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”

Ideas that bear fruit

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.

Sustainable manufacture of coated textiles

With its INSQIN® technology, Covestro significantly increases the sustainability of textile coating. The technology is based on waterborne polyurethane coatings, making textile production more eco-friendly and easier to handle. Using INSQIN®, the production of coated fabrics also requires up to 95 percent less water and 50 percent less energy.

For implementation of the technology, Covestro is working directly together with brand owners in the apparel and footwear industries as well as with textile manufacturers. Only recently, the company also introduced the technology in the automotive industry, where INSQIN® enables more sustainable, flexible and durable coatings in the car interior – with a premium look and feel.

The World Alliance for Efficient Solutions, founded under the auspices of the Solar Impulse Foundation, collaborates with start-ups, companies, institutions, NGOs and investors to create synergies, share knowledge and build relationships for speeding up the implementation of clean and profitable solutions.