Covestro press release: Covestro advances TPU solutions for SCF injection technology

 

Covestro advances TPU solutions for SCF injection technology

·       New TPU material series optimized for supercritical fluid (SCF) injection foaming technology

·       Pioneering in-house SCF injection foaming system installed in Taiwan to advance application development and quality control in Asia Pacific

·       Enhanced capabilities to support customers’ innovation needs, from footwear to sport gears, furniture and electronics

 

Covestro has announced the launch of Desmopan^® FLY, an advanced Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) series specifically engineered for supercritical fluid (SCF) foaming technology. This high-performance material solution addresses the growing demand for lightweight, performance, and sustainable footwear design while expanding possibilities across sport gears, furniture and electronic products.

 

Desmopan^® FLY features an advanced formulation that enables superior supercritical fluid dispersion during the molding process, resulting in uniform fine-cell structured foams with outstanding mechanical properties. For footwear applications, this translates into midsoles with superior cushioning and energy return properties, and long-lasting comfort performance. The absence of chemical blowing agents and crosslinking additives ensures recyclability of the midsole; when combined with soft TPU outsole, the whole sole system supports circular economy initiatives.

 

“Leading sports brands are driving unprecedented demand for materials that combine elite performance with strong environmental credentials,” says Wilson Chan, Head of Business Development TPU Asia Pacific at Covestro. “Desmopan^® FLY brings exceptional lightweight and resilience properties while maintaining dimensional stability and durability throughout the product lifecycle. Its optimized processing enables efficient production through automated injection molding, allowing brands to create high-performance, recyclable footwear that meets demanding consumer expectations.”

 

In a pioneering industry move, Covestro has installed the advanced SCF injection foaming system at its TPU Asia-Pacific R&D Center in Taiwan. This state-of-the-art facility enables Covestro to provide comprehensive R&D support and rapid application services for customers’ specific requirements, demonstrating Covestro’s ongoing commitment to advancing footwear material solutions and supporting the industry’s evolution.

 

“Our investment in the SCF injection foaming system marks another milestone in Covestro’s continuous innovation journey,” explains Dr. Christian Haessler, Head of Global Innovation TPU at Covestro. “This in-house capability enables us to optimize TPU material properties with precise SCF processing parameters. By being among the first in the industry to integrate this advanced technology within our R&D center, we can effectively combine TPU material and SCF injection expertise to accelerate customers’ development from concepts to commercial production.”

 

The combination of SCF foaming technology and Desmopan^® FLY delivers an energy-efficient manufacturing process that reduces the overall carbon footprint. The automated injection process integrates multiple components in a single step, enabling substantial production efficiency while maintaining consistent, high-quality output.

 

Desmopan^® FLY is now commercially available, supported by Covestro’s comprehensive technical expertise and advanced in-house facilities. This integrated material and technology platform empowers sports brands in their journey toward advanced footwear solutions, combining performance, sustainability and production efficiency.

 

About Covestro:

Covestro is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-quality polymer materials and their components. With its innovative products, processes and methods, the company helps enhance sustainability and the quality of life in many areas. Covestro supplies customers around the world in key industries such as mobility, building and living, as well as the electrical and electronics sector. In addition, polymers from Covestro are also used in sectors such as sports and leisure, telecommunications and health, as well as in the chemical industry itself.

 

The company is geared completely to the circular economy. In addition, Covestro aims to achieve climate neutrality for its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2035, and the Group’s Scope 3 emissions are also set to be climate neutral by 2050. Covestro generated sales of EUR 14.2 billion in fiscal year 2024. At the end of 2024, the company had 46 production sites worldwide and employed approximately 17,500 people (calculated as full-time equivalents).

 

Find more information at the Covestro Homepage.

Read our Corporate Blog

 

Forward-looking statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Covestro AG. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Covestro’s public reports, which are available at www.covestro.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

Pune’s Kynd Cafe Is the Place to Be This Boba Day (April 30)!

 

This National Boba Day, Pune’s favorite all-day café — Kynd Cafe — is serving up the ultimate sip: their cult-favorite Salted Caramel Coffee Boba.

Blending bold coffee notes with rich salted caramel and the playful chew of boba pearls, Kynd’s Salted Caramel Coffee Boba is indulgence in a cup — balancing sweet, savory, and satisfying flavors in every sip. 

Born on the streets of Taiwan in the 1980s, Boba tea — with its playful tapioca pearls and creamy sweetness — quickly became a global phenomenon. Today, it’s a symbol of joyful café culture — and Kynd Cafe is leading Pune’s boba wave with its innovative creations.

Celebrate Boba Day (30th April) with a drink that promises a smile in every sip! 

For tasting invites, high-res images, or more details, just reply to this email — we'd love to connect.

Where: Kynd Cafe, Pune

When: 30th April, 2025

Amazfit Announces Massive Discounts on Smartwatches for Amazon Great Summer Sale Starting May 1st

 Amazfit Announces Massive Discounts on Smartwatches for Amazon Great Summer Sale Starting May 1st

The Amazfit Balance will be available at an all-time low price of INR 14,999

Amazfit has extended the special launch pricing for its latest Amazfit Active 2

National, April 30, 2025 — Amazfit, a global smart wearable brand trusted by athletes worldwide for its precision, has announced exciting discounts across its popular smartwatch line-up during the Amazon Great Summer Sale, starting May 1st. As part of this limited-time offer, customers can avail unbeatable deals on flagship models, including the extended launch pricing on the newly launched Amazfit Active 2.

One of the standout deals includes the Amazfit Balance, now available at its lowest-ever price of INR 14,999, offering over 50% off on this advanced health-focused smartwatch. Fitness enthusiasts can also grab the Amazfit T-Rex 3, designed for rugged outdoor adventures, at INR 19,999 with a 50% discount.

Whether you're upgrading your fitness routine or stepping into the world of smart wearables, Amazfit’s summer offers make it the perfect time to buy. These limited-time deals are available exclusively on Amazon and Amazfit’s official website during the Great Summer Sale.

Amazon Great Summer Sale:

1. Amazfit Active 2 Standard: Available at ₹9,999 with 55% discount (MRP: ₹21,999)
2. Amazfit Active 2 Premium: Available at ₹11,999 with 52% discount (MRP: ₹24,999)
3. Amazfit T-Rex 3: Available at ₹19,999 with 33%discount (MRP: ₹29,999)
4. Amazfit Balance: Available at ₹14,999 with 52%discount (MRP: ₹29,999)
5. Amazfit Active: Available at ₹6,999 with 65%discount (MRP: ₹19,999)
6. Amazfit Active Edge (Mint Green): Available at ₹4,999 with 75% discount (MRP: ₹19,999)
7. Amazfit Helio Ring: Available at ₹19,999 with 33% discount (MRP: ₹29,999)
8. Amazfit GTR4 New: Available at 12,999 with 28% discount (MRP: ₹17,999)

Amazfit Active 2

Amazfit has elevated its best-selling Active series with the launch of the Amazfit Active 2 in India. Unveiled at CES 2025 and honored with the prestigious "Top Tech of CES 2025" award, the Active 2 is designed for fashion-forward, health-conscious consumers, seamlessly blending advanced fitness tracking with sophisticated design. Crafted with a sleek stainless steel body, the smartwatch features a 1.32-inch AMOLED display boasting a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, ensuring crystal-clear visibility even under direct sunlight. The Amazfit Active 2 is available in two distinct models. 

Premium Version comes with both a luxurious black leather strap and a bold red silicone strap, paired with a durable sapphire glass screen, offering users the versatility to switch between elegance and sporty vibrance. Standard Version features a black sports-style silicone strap engineered for breathability and superior comfort during workouts. 

As part of the Amazon Great Summer Sale, Amazfit is offering special launch prices—starting at INR 9,999 for the Standard version and INR 11,999 for the Premium version, exclusively on Amazon India. 

Amazfit T REX-3: Priced at INR 19,999, with a significant 33% discount applied from its original price of INR 29,999 

Originally priced at INR 29,999, is now available at an excellent price point of INR 19,999 with a solid 50% off. The Amazfit T-Rex 3 is a high-end, "ready-for-anything" outdoor smartwatch crafted with premium 316L stainless steel and packed with features that enhance all of your adventures. As the latest in the T-Rex series, it embodies the "Brave Your Adventure" philosophy, offering professional-grade durability with a mud-resistant design, 45-meter freediving capability, high- precision positioning, and optimized route navigation including offline contour maps with turn directions. With its ultra-long 27-day battery life and performance in extreme environments, the T-Rex 3 is the ultimate GPS smartwatch for multi-environment athletic adventures.

Amazfit Balance: Now available at lowest prices of INR 14,999, featuring a 52% discount from its original price of INR 29,999 

The Amazfit Balance is crafted with precision to aid individuals in attaining a harmonious balance between life, work, and well-being. The Amazfit Balance integrates an upgraded dual-LED and 8PD BioTracker™ 5.0 PPG biometric optical sensor. It introduces a new dimension to health data tracking with the "Body Composition" measurement feature. This enables users to effortlessly measure body fat percentage, skeletal muscle, muscle mass, water content, bone mass, protein levels, BMI, and Basal Metabolism—all directly from their wrist. 

Available in Sunset Grey and Midnight Black, the Amazfit Balance offers a choice between durable silicon straps and skin-friendly nylon straps for personalized comfort. With a remarkable 14-day battery life, it ensures uninterrupted performance. The smartwatch is compatible with both Android and iOS devices and features advanced health tools including the BioTracker™ sensor and comprehensive Body Composition analysis.  

Amazfit Active: Available at INR 6,999, featuring a substantial 65% discount from its original price of INR 19,999.

This smartwatch offers a multitude of fitness and health features along with built-in navigation. The Amazfit Active Smartwatch features a vibrant 1.75" HD AMOLED display encased in an elegant stainless-steel frame, delivering an immersive visual experience with lasting comfort thanks to its lightweight design. It can track over 120 different types of exercises, from running to yoga. With support for five satellite positioning systems, the watch provides accurate navigation whether you're walking, cycling, or hiking. 

The Amazfit Active is available in stylish color options, including Petal Pink and Midnight Black—both currently available at a discounted price of INR 6,999 during Amazon Great Summer sales. Designed to complement your lifestyle, these color variants pair sleek aesthetics with everyday functionality.  

Amazfit Active Edge: Now available at its lowest-ever price of ₹4,999, reflecting a massive 75% discount from the original price of ₹19,999.

With its rugged sport and fitness design, the Amazfit Active Edge features five satellite systems for accurate GPS tracking, an AI Health Coach for gym, outdoor workouts, and exercise, 16-day battery life, and 10 ATM water resistance. It supports over 100 watch faces and sports modes, along with the Zepp Coach mode that helps users with customised training plans. Offered at its lowest price ever, the Amazfit Active Edge delivers unmatched performance and features at the most competitive price point in its segment—making it a standout choice for fitness and adventure enthusiasts.

Amazfit Helio Ring: Available at ₹19,999 with 33% discount from its original price of INR ₹29,999 

This innovative smart ring is equipped with 10ATM water resistance, making it suitable for various activities, including swimming. One of its standout features is EDA (Electrodermal Activity) monitoring, which helps users track their emotional well-being by measuring stress levels through skin conductance. This smart ring can be worn alone or paired with your Amazfit smartwatch. Users can sync workout and sleep data from the Amazfit Helio Ring or other Amazfit smartwatches to the Zepp App, offering a combined and holistic view of performance, recovery, and insights. Available in three different sizes, it ensures a comfortable fit for all users. With its stylish appearance and robust functionality, the Amazfit Helio Ring is designed to cater to health-conscious consumers seeking a discreet yet powerful wearable device. 

 

With discounts of up to 52% off, now is the perfect time to invest in an Amazfit smartwatch and embark on a journey towards enhanced health and wellness. Don't miss out on this exclusive opportunity to upgrade your lifestyle with cutting-edge wearable technology from Amazfit.

Amazfit GTR4 New: Now available at an all-time low price of ₹12,999, offering a 28% discount from its original price of ₹17,999 

The Amazfit GTR4 New features a stunning 1.45-inch AMOLED display, delivering ultra-high definition visuals with a resolution of 331 ppi. Whether under bright sunlight or in dimly lit environments, the vibrant display ensures that every detail is clearly visible. The smartwatch's always-on display feature, combined with a vast selection of over 150 watch faces, enables users to effortlessly express their unique style. Available in the sophisticated Galaxy Black and timeless Brown Leather editions, this cutting-edge smartwatch combines cutting-edge technology with elegant design.  

For more information and to explore the full range of discounted smartwatches, visit Amazon India.

Press Release | NBC Raises $ 2.3 Million in Pre-Series A; Eyes 150+ NBC Stores by FY26

Nothing Before Coffee Raises $ 2.3 Million in Pre-Series A to Accelerate

Expansion in Tier-II India; Eyes 150+ NBC Stores by FY26

Jaipur: India’s dynamic and fast-growing QSR coffee chain, Nothing Before Coffee (NBC), has raised $ 2.3

million in a Pre-Series A funding round, led by Prath Ventures. The round also saw participation from SYL

Investments. This marks a major milestone in NBC’s journey as it continues to redefine India’s café culture by

focusing on Tier-II and Tier-III cities—a segment largely untapped by premium coffee players. Additionally,

NBC is pleased to report its “Best-ever Fiscal year 2025.” Fueled by new store launches, innovative offerings,

and growing brand loyalty. The brand’s seasonal offerings and unique brews have been particularly well-

received, contributing to this growth.

Founded in 2017 in Jaipur by Ankesh Jain, Anand Jain, Akshay Kedia, and Shubham Bhandari, Nothing Before

Coffee has rapidly evolved from a small, cozy café into a national brand with a footprint of 85+ outlets across

India. At the heart of NBC’s success is its mission to serve high-quality, affordable coffee in vibrant spaces that

resonate with India’s youth.

While most players are concentrating on Tier-I cities and premium offerings, NBC is disrupting the market with

accessible pricing, India-centric coffee innovations like the ‘Shrappe’ (a desi twist on a frappe), and

aspirational café spaces that serve as community hubs for young consumers.

This funding milestone is a strong validation of our vision and operating model. At Nothing Before Coffee, we've built a

brand that combines affordability, quality, and deep cultural resonance—especially in India’s Tier-II and Tier-III markets.

With strong unit economics and consistent consumer love, we are now well-positioned to scale rapidly. The capital will

help us deepen our presence, invest in technology and talent, and unlock the next phase of growth as we work towards

becoming India’s most loved and accessible coffee chain, said — Ankesh Jain, Co-founder, Nothing Before Coffee

In a market traditionally dominated by premium global chains and metro-centric models, NBC is carving out

its niche with a “youth-first” approach, offering high-quality, affordability, cultural relevance, and beverages

served in aesthetically designed, vibrant spaces. These outlets are designed to serve as social hubs for India’s

growing aspirational class.

Commenting on the fund raise, Piyush Goenka, founder of Prath Ventures said “As a fund, we’ve long believed

in the growing demand for coffee and vibrant café experiences across India — not just in metros, but well

beyond Tier-1 cities. In all our research, NBC consistently stood out for the vibrance in their cafés, the

affordability of their pricing, and the quality of their offerings. What truly sealed the deal was the passion and

drive of the founding team, which made this a compelling and exciting opportunity for us, as we love to

partner with enthusiastic like-minded founders.”

Use of Funds and Strategic Roadmap

The freshly infused capital will be utilized to:

• Aiming to establish 150+ NBC stores across India by FY2026, with a strong focus on expanding into

emerging Tier-II and Tier-III markets.

• Strengthen the brand’s digital platforms to drive enhanced customer experience and loyalty.

• Invest in supply chain optimization and talent acquisition to support scale and consistency across

locations.

• Experiment with new store formats, including compact kiosks and premium high-street cafes in

smaller cities.

Confidential - Not for Public Consumption or DistributionThe Indian café market is ripe for innovation, and emerging brands like NBC are leading the way. As bankers, our role is

to back such disruptors with the capital they need to scale. NBC has built strong brand recognition in a short time, and

we wish them success in becoming India’s most loved coffee café brand – Said Shikha Toshniwal - Co-Founder and

Investment Banking Head, Pareto Capital.

NBC’s ambitious roadmap aims to solidify its position as India’s most beloved homegrown café brand,

particularly in markets often overlooked by established chains. The QSR chain is on a fast-paced growth

trajectory, aiming to establish 150+ NBC stores across India by FY2026, further strengthening its presence in

metropolitan hubs and expanding deeper into Tier-I and Tier-II markets. These new openings will mark an

important milestone for the brand, demonstrating its continuous efforts to cater to the growing demand for

premium coffee experiences. The new outlets are designed to offer a welcoming and exceptional coffee

experience, building on the brand's commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

About Nothing Before Coffee: NBC was founded in 2017 with the goal to share the enticing aroma of freshly

brewed coffee with everyone. There's always been a missing piece in the puzzle of our coffee experience, and

NBC have often pondered over what it could be until the team of experts finally found the answer by brewing

their own perfect cup. NBC believe that coffee is not just a beverage, but a way of life. The brand has made a

mission to source the best essence of coffee beans and brew them using the latest and most innovative

techniques to ensure that every cup of coffee served under NBC is of the highest quality. As a QSR model, NBC

is specialized in serving varieties of beverages with exceptional quality.

Website- https://www.nothingbeforecoffeeindia.com

Instagram- @nothingbeforecoffeeindia