Leading Middle East polyurethane manufacturer Pearl Polyurethane Systems (Dubai, UAE; www.pearl.ae) has agreed to use what it calls climate-neutral methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) supplied by Covestro (Leverkusen, Germany; www.covestro.com), its former joint venture partner.

The material is said to be climate-neutral from cradle to Covestro’s factory gate thanks to alternative raw materials based on plant waste and allocated to the products using certified mass balancing, according to sustainability certification scheme ISCC Plus.

Related: More companies board sustainability train

Pearl said it was the first producer in the EMEA region to receive the carbon-neutral MDI from long-time supplier Covestro.

The Emirati company said offering a broader portfolio of more sustainable raw materials as part of its newly rebranded EcoPearl product range meant the new MDI would help downstream customers reduce their carbon footprint. It noted that the grades can be used in numerous construction, cold chain, and automotive applications.

In March 2021, Covestro announced it was selling its 51% stake in the then-joint venture, Pearl Covestro Polyurethane Systems, to its partner Pearl Industries Overseas (see Plasteurope.com of 04.03.2021).