08.21.17
Covestro is supporting RWTH Aachen University and Aachen University of Applied Sciences students in the development of a solar-powered electric car to race in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2017.
The German adhesive manufacturing company – a gold sponsor – is providing materials and technical service for the Aachen-based Sonnenwagen team, according to Dr. Frank Rothbarth, external communications, Covestro.
“Our solar car clearly proves that innovative and sustainable mobility concepts are already possible and feasible now,” said Hendrik Löbberding, chairman of the Sonnenwagen team, at the vehicle’s Aug. 17 unveiling ceremony.
Added Covestro’s coatings expert, Dr. Karsten Danielmeier: “In Australia, we want to test a car repair clearcoat from PPG under the harsh climate conditions prevailing along the race’s route.”
The clearcoat contains the bio-based hardener Desmodur® eco N 7300, per Rothbarth.
This wasn’t Covestro’s first venture into future mobility concepts – the company is an official partner of the Solar Impulse project.
According to Rothbarth, the project was the first manned flight around the globe in an exclusively solar-powered aircraft.
The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge is slated for Oct. 8-15 in Australia.
Vehicles will travel 3,000km from Darwin to Adelaide.
This is the 30th anniversary of the event.
Photo courtesy Covestro
Pictured: Hendrik Löbberding, first chairman of Sonnenwagen team (middle), Dr. Karsten Danielmeier, global head of R&D in the Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties segment, and Julia Cramer, junior marketing manager for automotive refinish coatings.
The German adhesive manufacturing company – a gold sponsor – is providing materials and technical service for the Aachen-based Sonnenwagen team, according to Dr. Frank Rothbarth, external communications, Covestro.
“Our solar car clearly proves that innovative and sustainable mobility concepts are already possible and feasible now,” said Hendrik Löbberding, chairman of the Sonnenwagen team, at the vehicle’s Aug. 17 unveiling ceremony.
Added Covestro’s coatings expert, Dr. Karsten Danielmeier: “In Australia, we want to test a car repair clearcoat from PPG under the harsh climate conditions prevailing along the race’s route.”
The clearcoat contains the bio-based hardener Desmodur® eco N 7300, per Rothbarth.
This wasn’t Covestro’s first venture into future mobility concepts – the company is an official partner of the Solar Impulse project.
According to Rothbarth, the project was the first manned flight around the globe in an exclusively solar-powered aircraft.
The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge is slated for Oct. 8-15 in Australia.
Vehicles will travel 3,000km from Darwin to Adelaide.
This is the 30th anniversary of the event.
Photo courtesy Covestro
Pictured: Hendrik Löbberding, first chairman of Sonnenwagen team (middle), Dr. Karsten Danielmeier, global head of R&D in the Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties segment, and Julia Cramer, junior marketing manager for automotive refinish coatings.
