In response to increasing demands around sustainability, performance and regulatory compliance, Covestro is placing a strong focus on automation within its R&D processes. The newly developed laboratory focuses on the optimisation of binders and crosslinkers used in coatings and adhesives. Operating 24/7, the facility uses automated testing, digital tools and data-driven workflows. This approach enables a higher number of formulation combinations to be examined and evaluated more efficiently and with greater precision. Standard formulations can be improved at a faster pace, or entirely new ones can be created. "The primary motivation stems from increasing market pressures facing coatings ...