Covestro Expands PC Material Access with Autodesk VRED Integration

Covestro and Autodesk VRED have taken a major step in digital material design with the integration of Covestro’s Imagio® digital sample library directly into Autodesk VRED 2026.1. This move gives designers immediate access to tens of thousands of photorealistic digital twins of polycarbonate (PC) materials. Instead of relying on physical prototypes or traveling to design centers, designers can now experiment virtually with Covestro’s materials in a seamless, efficient workflow. PET Bottle-grade

Digital Library Integration

Imagio® serves as Covestro’s advanced material database, offering photorealistic digital twins of PC properties such as transparency, gloss, surface texture, and translucency. The new integration allows users of Autodesk VRED, a design platform widely adopted in the automotive, aerospace, and rail industries, to access these digital materials without leaving their workflow.

According to Dr. Tobias Rausch, Business Development Manager for Digital Sampling at Covestro, the collaboration lowers the entry barrier for designers who need quick, accurate access to material options. “Designers can now easily find our polycarbonate materials and test their many facets in just a few clicks. This not only reduces iterations but also saves costs and emissions from physical sample production.” PET Bottle-grade

Immediate Global Access

The integration ensures worldwide availability of Covestro’s PC material library. Designers from different markets can instantly access the same data set, eliminating inconsistencies and misunderstandings that often arise from working with physical samples. Material properties can now be applied digitally in a highly precise way, leaving less room for interpretation.

“We are effectively lowering the entry barrier to our material world for designers of vehicles and auto parts.” — Dr. Tobias Rausch, Covestro

Efficiency Advantages

Automotive design cycles are becoming shorter, and efficiency is more critical than ever. By eliminating the need for physical samples in early design phases, Imagio® integration allows teams to save time, money, and resources. The process also reduces the environmental footprint, as emissions linked to transport and physical prototyping are minimized. PET Bottle-grade

With simple drag-and-drop functionality, designers can apply materials in real-time to different vehicle components, instantly visualizing the look and feel of each option. This digital-first workflow brings speed and accuracy to the design process, which has a direct impact on decision-making and production timelines.

Boosting Designer Creativity

For Autodesk VRED users, the integration expands creative possibilities. Designers no longer have to imagine how a surface will react under different lighting conditions or finishes—they can see it in photorealistic detail. This capability empowers designers to experiment more freely, test unconventional ideas, and explore a wider range of concepts before committing to physical prototypes. PET Bottle-grade

As Marek Trawny, Director of Product Management at Autodesk VRED, explains: “In a time when speed and precision in the design process are crucial, photorealistic digital material twins offer our users a decisive advantage. Designers can now immediately and accurately see how polycarbonate materials will look in their designs.” PET Bottle-grade

Impact on the Automotive and Transport Industries

The automotive industry, in particular, benefits significantly from the integration. Vehicles increasingly rely on lightweight, durable, and versatile polycarbonate components. The ability to test materials virtually helps OEMs and suppliers accelerate innovation without compromising quality or performance. PET Bottle-grade

Beyond cars, the integration supports industries such as aerospace and rail, where complex design demands make virtual testing essential. Immediate access to realistic material simulations ensures faster approval cycles and more informed material choices across different transportation segments.

Future Outlook

The integration of Imagio® into Autodesk VRED is just one example of how digital material sampling is reshaping design workflows. As industries embrace more sustainable and efficient practices, digital-first solutions will continue to gain momentum. The collaboration between Covestro and Autodesk highlights how partnerships between material science leaders and software developers can accelerate innovation. PET Bottle-grade

Looking ahead, Covestro aims to expand the Imagio® library even further, offering more material categories and customization options. This evolution will support designers in creating smarter, greener, and more consumer-centric products. PET Bottle-grade

Conclusion

The integration of Covestro’s Imagio® into Autodesk VRED marks a turning point in material design for the automotive and transport industries. Designers now have immediate, global access to photorealistic material twins that can streamline workflows, reduce costs, and drive creativity. By combining Covestro’s material expertise with Autodesk’s design platform, the partnership enables a smarter, faster, and more sustainable approach to innovation. PET Bottle-grade

Strengthening the Partnership

Evonik and AMSilk, a leader in silk protein–based biomaterials, have entered a long-term agreement to scale sustainable silk proteins at an industrial level.
This new chapter builds on their earlier collaboration in 2023 and marks a significant milestone in biotechnology-driven materials innovation. PET Bottle-grade

“Our collaboration with AMSilk is a powerful example of how together we can shape the future of materials through biotechnology,” said Guido Skudlarek, Head of the Health Care business line at Evonik. PET Bottle-grade

New Manufacturing Line in Slovakia

Evonik has commissioned a dedicated production line for AMSilk’s high-performance silk at its biotech hub in Slovakia.
Outfitted with advanced infrastructure, renewable energy systems, and strict quality controls, the facility enables consistent monthly output of several tons of spinning-grade silk proteins. PET Bottle-grade

This site is tailored to AMSilk’s process requirements and meets certified industrial quality standards, making it a cornerstone for the company’s expansion into commercial markets.

Ctibor Kohutovic, Chief Production Officer at AMSilk, emphasized:
“By jointly designing a specialized fermentation line, we increase efficiency, reduce unit costs, and ensure reliable supply for our customers.”

Scalability and Market Impact

The partnership directly supports AMSilk’s strategy to serve the global protein fiber market, valued at around €26 billion. PET Bottle-grade
Within this sector, the company focuses on a €16 billion serviceable market, spanning silk, cashmere, and merino wool alternatives.

By scaling output with Evonik’s support, AMSilk positions itself as a reliable supplier to premium fashion and automotive brands that are actively seeking sustainable, high-performance materials.

Sustainability at the Core

AMSilk’s biomaterials are designed with a strong sustainability focus. Produced from renewable plant-based carbon, the materials are vegan, biodegradable, and leave no microplastics at the end of their lifecycle. PET Bottle-grade

In addition to meeting rigorous production and compliance standards, AMSilk’s silk protein yarns offer full supply chain transparency with European manufacturing roots.
This positions the company as a trusted partner in industries where both performance and responsibility are equally critical.

Evonik’s Biotech Expertise

Evonik brings decades of expertise in fermentation and biotechnology to the collaboration.
Its competencies span strain development, process optimization, and large-scale manufacturing, serving life sciences sectors such as pharmaceuticals, advanced foods, and nature-identical materials. PET Bottle-grade

With over 4,000 m³ of CDMO fermentation capacity across Europe and the US, Evonik provides innovators like AMSilk with reliable scale-up pathways, helping transform early-stage concepts into industrial-scale solutions.

Looking Ahead

The Evonik–AMSilk partnership illustrates how biotechnology can replace fossil-based materials with renewable, scalable alternatives. PET Bottle-grade
By leveraging milder production conditions, renewable inputs, and reduced emissions, biotech-driven materials open pathways for more sustainable industrial practices.

As demand from fashion, automotive, and high-tech industries grows, this collaboration highlights the role of sustainable biotech materials in redefining global supply chains and creating next-generation performance solutions. PET Bottle-grade

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