Covestro (Leverkusen / Germany; www.covestro.com) hopes quantum computing can be a game-changer for its development of the chemicals of the future after it signed a research partnership agreement with Google (Mountain View, California / USA; www.google.com). The pair will undertake research into using quantum computing to create efficiencies and boost performance within the chemicals sector.

The idea of quantum computing – which can enable simulations and analyses of complex chemical reaction processes to be done in a fraction of the time it takes existing computers to do them – kicked off in the early 1980s. In October last year Google AI published a paper on its work with Nasa, describing a device performing a quantum computation that would have taken a classical supercomputer around 10,000 years. However Google’s claim was contested by IBM, which said the work on a classical system could do such work in 2.5 days. Experts say the development of quantum computers would see them handle operations much faster than regular systems, while also using much less energy.

For the chemicals and plastics industry, Covestro said the future potential of quantum computing would result in significantly less time spent on R&D, less use of resources, more efficient and environmentally friendly processes, as well as the use of completely new materials. Markus Steilemann, Covestro’s chief executive, noted that Covestro has been investing in digital R&D for around three years. “This forward-looking computer technology is the key to knowledge that is needed, for example, to successfully advance the circular economy,” he added.