Covestro, a global manufacturing leader in raw materials has recently partnered with Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology backbone of Alibaba Group. This collaboration stands as a testament to the urgent need and transformative potential of sustainable practices of manufacturing industries.

Driven by a shared commitment to sustainability, Covestro and Alibaba Cloud have joined forces to revolutionize supply chain transparency and carbon footprint management across the Asian region.

Under this partnership, Covestro is committed to providing sustainable plastic solutions, accompanied by comprehensive carbon footprint data. The initiative underscores the proactive approach to enhancing product lifecycle sustainability, from raw material extraction to end-consumer use. Whereas Alibaba Cloud's Energy Expert platform, powered by artificial intelligence and blockchain technology, plays a pivotal role in enabling precise carbon accounting and material traceability throughout the supply chain.

Lily Wang, Global Head of Engineering Plastics Business Entity at Covestro, said: "As a leader in sustainable material innovation, Covestro is steadfast in promoting circularity and climate neutrality. Our collaboration with Alibaba Cloud signifies a major stride towards realizing these ambitions. Together, we empower industries to achieve greater transparency in their supply chains, fostering trust among eco-conscious consumers and propelling sectors towards a greener future."

William Xiong, Vice President of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence, said: "We take pride in partnering with Covestro to pioneer sustainable solutions that drive positive environmental impact. Through our advanced cloud infrastructure and expertise in sustainability technology, we enable partners across the value chain to trace materials with unprecedented transparency and efficiency. This collaboration exemplifies the profound impact of technology in advancing sustainability goals and shaping a more resilient future."

The combined solutions proposed by the two parties have already been applied in the consumer products industry. For example, Covestro worked with Nongfu Spring, China's biggest beverage manufacturer, to recycle its 19-litre water barrels into post-consumer recycled polycarbonate. KACO, a niche stationary business in China, used the substance to make gel pens.

Through Alibaba Cloud Energy Expert's carbon emission accounting and digital tools, consumers can scan a QR code on the pens' packaging to trace the material's origin, see a detailed breakdown of the carbon footprint at each stage in the production chain, and see how many carbon emissions have been reduced compared to virgin materials.