More sustainable materials to be introduced into EV charging stations

Covestro’s innovative material solutions will help EVBox Group commit to its environmental goals while continuing to comply with industry regulations.

EVBox Group and Covestro are looking back on a 10-year partnership of producing EV charging stations. The relationship has gone from strength to strength in recent years as EVBox Group has worked toward meeting the demands of the automotive industry. Covestro has proven to be a trustworthy partner providing reliable material solutions, including testing and validation support.

In the early stages of the polycarbonate value chain, ISCC Plus certified (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) hydrocarbons from renewable sources are being used. With this process, Covestro can change the feedstock for the production of high-performance polycarbonates from purely fossil resources to renewable alternatives.

EVBox Group is set to begin using these more sustainable plastics during production. For now, tests and pilots with the more sustainable polycarbonate material, Makrolon RE, are being performed to determine to what extent this material can be used in production. The new polycarbonate could be key to the production of EV charging stations made using more sustainable plastics.

Sustainable mission, sustainable products

Plastics are typically made of fossil-based raw materials and have to meet strict standards when used in the production of EV charging stations. Now, sustainable materials used in the EV charging industry are required that comply with UL certifications. 

With Covestro’s new production process that replaces fossil feedstocks with renewable, ISCC Plus-certified sources (such as waste and residue oils and fats), EVBox Group can produce charging stations with less impact on the environment.

The plastics used in the charging station production pilot will follow a mass balanced approach to ensure that the sustainable share of Makrolon-based plastic parts represents at least 50 percent. The entire process will still adhere to the strict EV charging industry regulations.

“EVBox Group creates EV charging solutions with the future of our planet in mind, and I’m delighted that we can take sustainability one step further. Not only are we providing charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, but we can now also create this very infrastructure using next-generation plastics made-up, predominantly, of renewable sources that reduce the CO2 footprint of our products.”

Wijnand Diemer (Senior Director of Product Management at EVBox Group)

“Looking back at the last 10 years, I’m happy to say that the partnership between Covestro and EVBox Group has grown tremendously. From developing the first EVBox charging stations to collaborating on important projects that contribute to a more sustainable future, Covestro has proven to be a reliable partner and we’re looking forward to providing materials from mass balanced renewable sources for EVBox Group’s next generation of charging solutions.” Said Dr. Niklas Meine, Marketing Electrical & Electronics EMEA, Covestro.