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Covestro steps up its measures against the uncontrolled disposal of plastic waste by joining a new network of companies from across the globe.
The Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW) aims at better managing and minimising litter, especially in the oceans, while promoting meaningful post-use solutions of plastic.
Launched in London, the initiative comprises about 30 companies from the chemical, plastics, consumer goods and waste industries.
They are committing more than US$1bn over the next five years.
"At Covestro we are convinced plastics are far too valuable to end up in the environment.
"All waste should be regarded as a resource," said CEO Dr Markus Steilemann.
"We believe this alliance is a significant step to drive innovation, develop strategic partnerships and mature waste-to-value concepts into economically viable sustainable solutions."
Covestro already works in co-operation with partners in the plastics industry and international organisations to ensure that as little plastic waste as possible enters waterways and the environment.
The company is, for example, part of the global initiative "Operation Clean Sweep", which aims to prevent plastic pellets leak from production sites or along their handling routes.
Employees frequently organise and join clean-up actions around global production facilities, which are situated along waterways.
In addition, Covestro is engaged in educational activities in order to raise society’s awareness in dealing with plastic waste and to point to utilisation possibilities.
In Australia, for example, there is a mattress recycling scheme called Soft Landing, which is supported by Covestro.
However, Covestro sees recycling not only meaningful for dealing with plastic waste but along the whole value chain.
Regarding raw materials for example, there could be made more use of alternative carbon sources like CO2 and biomass in order to close the carbon loop and save direct fossil resources, such as crude oil.
Covestro has developed an innovative technology to use carbon dioxide manufacture plastic components which are already on the market.
