Covestro and Team Sonnenwagen extend partnership
Covestro is extending its partnership with Team Sonnenwagen Aachen for a further two years. The plastics manufacturer has been supporting the student initiative since it was founded in 2017 and has been the main sponsor and technology partner since 2018.
In addition to financial resources, Covestro supports Team Sonnenwagen above all with more sustainable high-performance materials and technical expertise. This support flows into the development of innovative solar racing cars. The team takes part in international competitions with these vehicles. These include the World Solar Challenge, a 3,000-kilometer race across the Australian outback, which is considered the most demanding challenge of its kind. The partnership between Covestro and Team Sonnenwagen can look back on a remarkable history of success: European Champion 2022 at the iLumen European Solar Challenge in Zolder, winner of the Italian Solar Challenge in Imola and further podium finishes at the European Solar Challenge 2024. With the current Sonnenwagen "Covestro Æthon", the team built on its successes and achieved a top position at the World Solar Challenge 20251 with fourth place, including a new team record in qualifying.
Covestro materials for Team Sonnenwagen
More than ten different Covestro materials are used in Æthon. Highlights include more sustainable, mass-balanced Vulkollan, which absorbs shocks between the battery and bodywork, and Makrolon TC, a thermally conductive polycarbonate to regulate the temperature of the battery. This is complemented by a resource-saving paint finish that cures at room temperature and a seat made from chemically recycled car seat foam that combines comfort with sustainability. Other materials can be found in the cockpit hood, outer shell, headlights, seat and steering wheel. The next highlight for the newly formed Team Sonnenwagen is already coming up this year: On September 19 and 20, 2026, the team will be competing in the European Solar Challenge in Zolder, Belgium, where it is once again aiming for a podium finish. Construction of the new Sonnenwagen will begin in the fall. The team will use it to compete in the World Solar Challenge in Australia in 2027, with the clear aim of competing for victory again.