In each issue of the European Bioplastics Newsletter, we present 5 facts about a member of European Bioplastics. In this issue, Peter von den Kerkhoff, Account Executive EMEA at CovationBio, shares some interesting insights on his company. 

Peter von den Kerkhoff, Account Executive EMEA at CovationBio

5 Facts about: CovationBio, Newark, United States 

  • Founded in 2022, in Newark, USA, Covation Biomaterials is a leading global innovator offering a product portfolio of high-performance, sustainable solutions. The company builds on its rich DuPont legacy of ground-breaking scientific innovation and continues to deliver novel solutions at scale across multiple industries, including apparel, carpeting, cosmetics as well as food and packaging. Through product lines such as Sorona®, Susterra®, and Zemea®, the mission of Covation Biomaterials is to deliver the sustainable building blocks that will enable customers to provide bio-based products accessible to everyone.  
  • CovationBio produces 1,3 propanediol from a renewable, sustainable, and responsibly managed industrial dent corn feed stock. Products are marketed under the brands: Susterra® propanediol, and Zemea® propanediol. This material is also used to produce the Sorona® polymer for apparel and carpet applications.  
  • Susterra® propanediol is the building block that delivers high performance in a variety of applications, from polyurethanes and unsaturated polyester resins to heat-transfer fluids. For polyurethanes, Susterra® is an excellent polyol or chain extender that provides manufacturers flexibility when developing high-performing, plant-based solutions. CovationBio supports many polyurethane-related applications including TPU Elastomers and polymers for footwear, performance textiles such as Spandex, furniture and automotive while bio-based PU resins are used for coatings, adhesives, and in the inks market.  In unsaturated polyester resins, Susterra® 1,3-propanediol is used as the glycol portion in the manufacturing process. It has been formulated and commercialized globally in a wide variety of products. For manufacturers looking to increase the plant-based content of their resins, Susterra® offers a 100% renewably sourced, plant-based product that can easily be used to replace parts, or the entire glycol component used in the polyester reaction.  
  • Zemea® propanediol is a 100% bio-based component, petroleum free, used in many cosmetics and personal care applications. It provides the opportunity to meet sustainability goals without compromising quality.  
  • Sorona® is a breakthrough bio-based, high-performance polymer offering unique benefits for the textile industry. It contains 37% renewable plant-based ingredients by weight and minimizes the impact on the environment without sacrificing quality and performance. Sorona® can be used in a wide range of textile applications and offers unique performance benefits, including incredible softness, long lasting stretch and recovery properties, UV and chlorine resistance, a quick dry ability, excellent resilience, colorfastness, and inherent stain resistance without the need for topical treatments. Sorona® is a USDA certified bio-based product and has received the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Certification and blue sign certification.