Covestro deepens China partnerships in robotics, flying cars at CHINAPLAS 2026

German chemical manufacturer Covestro AG is forming alliances with Chinese partners in emerging fields such as robotics and flying cars, as China's ascent on the industrial value chain boosts demand for next-generation advanced materials, senior executives said.

"China has emerged as a leader in these exciting, fast-growing industries. With our materials expertise and global footprint, we are well positioned to support customers and value chain partners, both new and established, in turning these opportunities into tangible impact," said Monique Buch, Covestro's chief commercial officer.

"Chinese companies move from concept to mass production faster than anywhere else. That pace of innovation pushes us to deliver better solutions," said Buch.

At the ongoing 38th International Exhibition on Plastics and Rubber Industries, also known as CHINAPLAS 2026, held in Shanghai from Tuesday to Friday, Covestro has signed cooperation deals with Chinese partners, including mobile robot maker Hikrobot Co and auto parts manufacturer Shanghai Carthane Co, to advance material applications in smart logistics and robotics.

At its booth, the German company is also showcasing a flying car developed by Chinese partner GOVY, a brand owned by Guangzhou Automobile Group Co, as it positions itself to support such growth with advanced material solutions.

Under the new agreements, Covestro and Hikrobot will co-develop solutions for parcel sorting, factory automation and related applications, with the Chinese firm prioritizing Covestro's material solutions and receiving full research and development support. The collaboration with Carthane will focus on commercializing advanced materials for critical robot components.

Lily Wang, Covestro's president of business entity engineering plastics, said the company is engaging with customers in such emerging industries at early design stages. She highlighted China's complete supply chain ecosystem and its "dare to try" culture as key drivers for rapid prototyping and commercialization.

"China's unique combination of industrial scale, policy support and fast-paced innovation makes it irreplaceable in the company's global operations," Wang said, adding that the company's sustainable material portfolio can help reduce the carbon footprint across industries and support Chinese companies' internationalization.

To capture these opportunities, Covestro has stepped up investments across the country, including business expansions in Shanghai and Zhuhai, Guangdong province. To date, it has invested more than 4 billion euros ($4.7 billion) in China, building production and innovation capabilities that strengthen both regional supply resilience and global supply chain efficiency.