German materials manufacturer Covestro and NINETYGO have announced the global launch of the Chinese luggage brand’s new R-GO “Coffee Journey” Series suitcase, made with polycarbonate containing up to 90 percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) content from Covestro. The product debuted at Covestro’s booth at CHINAPLAS 2026, the international plastics and rubber exhibition, on Earth Day.
“The circular economy must prove its value in markets. The global launch of this new suitcase shows recycled materials can meet expectations for both performance and design,” said Lily Wang, President of Engineering Plastics at Covestro. “We are pleased to deepen our long-standing collaboration with NINETYGO and to help more Chinese brands differentiate globally through sustainability.”
“NINETYGO is committed to advancing sustainable travel worldwide. Today’s consumers expect not only quality and design, but also environmental responsibility,” said Alisa Shang, CEO of Runmi Technology, which owns NINETYGO. “Together with Covestro, we are bringing to market a new generation of PCR-based luggage that combines performance with sustainability, while strengthening our global competitiveness.”
Combining sustainability and durability
The suitcase shell is made from Makrolon® R90 with up to 90 percent recycled content, sourced from end-of-life water barrels. Since 2020, Covestro has collaborated with partners to recycle around 1 million 19-liter polycarbonate barrels annually, converting them into high-quality PCR material for use in consumer goods, electronics and home appliances.
For example, a 20-inch suitcase from the Coffee Journey Series reduces the shell carbon footprint by over 67 percent[1] compared to the previous version, thanks to a higher content of circular materials.
In terms of performance, the recycled material maintains strong impact resistance at room temperature and in extreme conditions down to -20°C. It also offers excellent color versatility, with this new Coffee Journey Series available in three colors: Flat White, Americano and Latte, reflecting the material’s natural aesthetic.
Enabling global reach through sustainability
NINETYGO first partnered with Covestro in 2021 to launch a limited-edition suitcase using PCR polycarbonate. The global debut of the Coffee Journey Series marks a deepening collaboration between the two companies and underscores the accelerating trend of sustainable material adoption in consumer products.
Environmental requirements in international markets have tightened in recent years. Regulations such as the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are raising the bar for market entry. The PCR polycarbonate used in the latest NINETYGO series contains non intentionally added PFAS (NIA-PFAS) and aligns with proposed EU PFAS restrictions. With strict raw material control and standardized production, it delivers performance comparable to virgin materials and is certified by third parties for PCR content.
Visit Covestro at CHINAPLAS 2026, Hall 7.2, Booth C38, National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), to discover how the Material Effect is shaping the future.
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