2025 Exhibitor Interviews - Covestro
1) Could you introduce your company and the solutions you provide in the fields of payment and identification?
Covestro is a global leader in the polymer industry with over 40 years of specialized experience in the ID and security sector. We develop high-performance film materials based on polycarbonate (PC) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) that meet extremely high security requirements for identification documents and payment solutions.
Our materials enable the integration of advanced security features into ID cards, passports, driver's licenses, border crossing cards, and various security printing applications. In the payment sector, we provide innovative solutions for smart payment cards, including specialized materials that meet chemical resistance tests.
Our collaboration with financial technology companies demonstrates our commitment to developing high-performing engineered polymer solutions that address the unique challenges of modern payment systems. These solutions offer metal-similar aesthetics while meeting the technical demands of secure financial transactions.
As one of the world's leading polymer companies with EUR 14.2 billion in sales in 2024, Covestro operates 46 production sites globally with approximately 17,500 employees. While our expertise extends to multiple industries, we maintain a strong focus on identification and payment solutions that require the highest levels of security and durability.
2) What are your main motivations for exhibiting at TRUSTECH this year?
Our primary motivation for participating in TRUSTECH this year is to engage directly with the identity ecosystem's key stakeholders. This premier industry event provides an invaluable platform for us to connect with customers, partners, and industry experts in a focused environment.
As travel and border crossings increase, the need for highly secure identification documents has become more critical than ever. Beyond product showcasing, we are motivated by the knowledge-sharing opportunities TRUSTECH provides. Moreover, we are enthusiastic about scheduling one-on-one meetings with industry partners to discuss how our innovative materials can address their specific security and durability challenges in identification documents.
3) Which products, solutions or innovations will you be showcasing at TRUSTECH? Why are they particularly relevant in today’s market?
We are particularly motivated by the opportunity to showcase our latest innovations in specialty film solutions for secure identification documents. This year, we are excited to present several breakthrough products, including:
- Superlaser PC films with enhanced laser reactivity
- High tactility laser engraving overlay films
- Thin, highly opaque white PC films for sophisticated clear window designs
- Color-switching and optical variable PC films with multiple security features
- Our innovative TPU passport cover solutions
- Sustainable PC films supporting circular economy principles
- Novel passport concepts combining PC and TPU film technologies
- Polymer printing substrates for security printing applications
4) In your view, what are the key trends currently shaping the payment, identification, or digital security sectors?
The identification and security landscape are currently experiencing several transformative trends that are reshaping how documents and credentials are designed and implemented.
A dominant trend we are observing is the convergence of physical and digital identities. Government ID programs worldwide are increasingly adopting hybrid solutions that protect both physical data and digital content stored in electronic chips. This dual-security approach is becoming the norm for national ID cards, passports, driver's licenses, and border crossing documents.
Another major shift is the rapid expansion of smart card technology in citizen ID programs. These smart credentials provide enhanced security features and expand functionality, enabling more advanced authentication and verification processes than traditional identification methods.
Material durability has also emerged as a critical consideration. Polycarbonate (PC) films are now the preferred substrate for high-security ID cards and passport data pages, reflecting the need for documents that retain their integrity throughout their full validity—despite challenging conditions. At the same time, environmental sustainability is gaining traction, with increasing demand for eco-friendly materials that maintain high-security standards.
On the digital front, the security landscape continues to evolve with advancements in encryption technologies and the implementation of post-quantum cryptography to protect against future threats.
Together, these converging trends highlight the need for innovative material solutions that support both physical durability and digital security requirements in modern identification and payment systems.
5) Do you have a message you'd like to share with visitors ahead of their visit to your stand at TRUSTECH?
Visit us at booth C055 to explore how our intelligent materials are transforming ID documents and certificates. Our solutions seamlessly integrate advanced security features with sustainable design principles. Stop by to discuss the latest market trends and collaborate on practical, high-security ID development strategies. We look forward to welcoming partners, customers, and interested professionals for insightful conversations about the future of ID security.