From September 14 to September 16, Covestro will showcase the developments in digital printing technology, supporting partners and customers in the transition towards modern processes, at Digital Expo 2021.
Covestro will attend Digital Expo 2021, on September 14-16, during which a webinar will be hosted with digital printing and coatings experts Dr. Fabian Schuster and Dr. Inga Noll on September 15 starting at 3 pm CEST.
In conventional automotive OEM coating, multi-layer, 1- or 2-component coatings are typically applied by spray. However, spray application causes overspray and high energy consumption during drying, but above all during conditioning of the process air. In addition, in the case of multicolour painting, the painted body parts have to be masked with films at great expense for protection. If, in the future, paints with different functions are to be applied that are particularly resistant to UV radiation, bird droppings or stone chips, for example, the process becomes even more complex.
Covestro aims at supporting its customers and partners in transitioning towards the most modern process of digital printing, which offers automotive and coatings manufacturers great opportunities to combine precise digital application of coatings with flexible, customized production. The result is an efficient coating with the quality of a conventional spray application but without overspray and need of masking, and reduced energy consumption.
In addition to its extensive expertise in digital printing technology, Covestro also provides Desmodur polyurethane raw materials. Polyurethane coatings based on Desmodur hardeners used for this purpose feature proven good chemical, scratch and weather resistance, they are high-gloss and ensure non-yellowing coatings.
This project is part of the "Digital@Covestro" program with which Covestro is driving forward digitalization. One of the three pillars of the program is the development of new business models and digital technical services. One focus area is a more efficient production at customers and the digitization of entire value chains. The two other pillars of the program are focused on digital operating processes in the company's own production and the development and use of digital chemical trading platforms.