Covestro and Albis mark 60 years of partnership

Covestro and Albis are marking the 60th anniversary of their distribution partnership at Fakuma 2026 in Friedrichshafen. The cooperation began in Germany in 1966 with the distribution of Bayer's polymer products and has since expanded into additional markets, industries and areas of technical expertise.

Today, the collaboration covers Covestro's polycarbonates, polycarbonate blends and thermoplastic polyurethanes, as well as material solutions for applications with specific requirements concerning resource efficiency and circularity. It combines Covestro's materials expertise with Albis' application knowledge, distribution network and proximity to customers in numerous international markets.

The companies state that the partnership supports customer value, technical expertise and supply reliability. At Fakuma, they intend to use the anniversary both to review the development of their cooperation and to address its role in a plastics industry facing volatile markets and increasingly complex customer requirements. According to the partners, long-term cooperation helps retain application expertise, improve supply reliability and accelerate the development of new solutions.

"Longevity in a partnership is not passive – it requires constant reinvention. What has lasted for 60 years is not only the original agreement, but the shared commitment to solving customer challenges together," said Dr. Guido Naberfeld, Senior Vice President, Head of Sales and Market Development Mobility at Covestro.

Materials and technical cooperation

The current scope extends beyond material distribution. It includes technical collaboration, licensing and solutions for applications that require improved resource efficiency and circularity. The partners combine material selection with application development, technical troubleshooting and a joint pipeline of projects.

"Many applications require not only the right material, but also deep application understanding, fast technical support and reliable supply. Together with ALBIS, we bring our expertise and solutions closer to customers – from joint application development and technical problem-solving to a shared pipeline of innovative projects," said Nikolai von Harpe, Head of Thermoplastic Polyurethanes EMLA at Covestro.

Albis and Covestro are also pursuing opportunities outside Europe. In recent years, Albis has expanded its presence in Brazil, Israel, India and North Africa, providing additional access to local customers and applications. The partnership now covers Europe, Turkey, the Maghreb region and other international markets.

Priorities for further growth

The companies identify e-mobility, healthcare and sustainable packaging among the areas targeted for further cooperation. Their plans also include applications involving recycled or renewable feedstocks, resource efficiency and circularity.

"Anyone can be a good partner when business is easy. The real test is what happens when markets and customer requirements change," said Horst Klink, CEO of Albis. "Over the past six decades, we have been through many of those challenges together. That experience makes this partnership so valuable today and gives us a strong basis for future growth."

Partnership at a glance

• 60 years of continuous cooperation, from 1966 to 2026.
• The partnership originated with the distribution of Bayer's polymer portfolio in Germany.
• Its geographic reach has expanded across Europe, Turkey, the Maghreb region, Brazil, Israel, India and other international markets.
• The present scope covers polycarbonates and thermoplastic polyurethanes, as well as distribution, technical collaboration, licensing and material solutions focused on resource efficiency and circularity.
• Future priorities include e-mobility, healthcare, sustainable packaging and applications involving recycled or renewable feedstocks.
• The anniversary is being marked at Fakuma 2026 in Friedrichshafen.

The anniversary presentation involved representatives of both companies and the Otto Krahn Group: Julian Wegner, Director Business Line Technical Polymers at Albis; Johanna Busching-Hebben, Global Venture Manager TPU Cushioning Solutions at Covestro; Nikolai von Harpe, Head of Thermoplastic Polyurethanes EMEA/LATAM at Covestro; Horst Klink, CEO of Albis; Dr. Guido Naberfeld, Head of Global Sales and Market Development Mobility Engineering Plastics at Covestro; Philip O. Krahn, CEO of Otto Krahn Group; Achim Gustorf, Vice President Distribution Polycarbonates EMEA at Covestro; Dirk Wurster, Head of Sales and Market Development EP EMEA for Mobility/Automotive at Covestro; and Daniel Stöcker, Vice President Business Unit Engineering Plastics at Albis.