Covestro has introduced its Baysafe® BEF flame-retardant polyurethane encapsulation foam, addressing a critical safety challenge in electric vehicle (EV) development: the containment of thermal propagation.
China, the world’s largest EV market, has recently set a new benchmark with the GB 38031-2025: Electric Vehicles Traction Battery Safety Requirements national standard for traction battery safety. Coming into effect in July 2026, the regulation mandates that batteries must neither ignite nor explode – even under thermal runaway conditions. These measures are expected to influence international safety regulations in the coming years.
Designed to inhibit fire spread between battery cells, Covestro’s advanced foam offers enhanced thermal protection without sacrificing weight or performance. Its application spans EV batteries to portable energy storage systems, underscoring the growing need for fire mitigation technologies in electrified transport.
“This innovation represents a significant step toward enabling sustainable mobility through enhanced safety,” said Akhil Singhania, global head of PU specialties in Covestro’s Tailored Urethanes Business Entity. “By launching our advanced flame-retardant technology, Covestro reaffirms its commitment to innovation and strengthens our product portfolio to meet the evolving needs of the EV industry
Image: Baysafe BEF (blue foam) is specially developed to enhance battery safety in electric vehicles by helping limit thermal propagation between cylindrical cells. © Covestro
