Plastic Team Sonnenwagen Completes the iLumen European Solar Challenge 

The Sonnenwagen Aachen team successfully completed the 2026 iLumen European Solar Challenge. After 24 hours of racing at Circuit Zolder in Belgium, the current Sonnenwagen Æthon finished in fifth place, while its predecessor, the Sonnenwagen Adelie, crossed the finish line in sixth place. On board: more than ten Covestro materials.

The Circuit Zolder in Belgium is considered a technically demanding track—with its tight turns and elevation changes, it challenged both the cars and the entire team. Throughout the entire 24 hours, the team had to balance speed and energy consumption while continuously adapting their driving style to the conditions on the track. Rain during the night and on Sunday morning made conditions even more difficult and led to several incidents among the field of participants. Around 6 a.m., the rear of Adelie broke loose and the solar car tipped over. No one was injured in the incident. The vehicle then had to be removed from the track and taken to the team’s pit box. The team pulled together and managed to get Adelie back in the race. Despite the time lost, Adelie still finished in sixth place.“This race demanded everything from us,” says Nassim Lagrou, team leader of Team Sonnenwagen Aachen. “After the incident with Adelie, it was clear to us that we wouldn’t give up. The team repaired the vehicle and got it back on the track. We’re very proud that both solar cars finished in fifth and sixth place. At the same time, we’re taking away important insights for our future development. The open dialogue with Covestro and the support provided in the form of materials and expertise help us use these insights to make concrete improvements and continuously refine our vehicles.”

A Long-Standing Partnership with an Eye Toward the Future

Covestro has supported the Sonnenwagen team since its founding in 2017 and has been its main sponsor and technology partner since 2018. In the spring of 2026, the partnership was extended for another two years. It goes far beyond financial support: With the shared goal of pushing boundaries and continuously advancing the Sonnenwagen, the team shares its requirements and insights from development, testing, and racing. Experts from Covestro contribute their knowledge of materials and applications. Together, the partners discuss technical challenges, test material solutions, and further develop them.The current Æthon solar car demonstrates how this collaboration translates into concrete applications. It incorporates more than ten different materials from Covestro—including raw materials for a chemically recycled foam in the driver’s seat, mass-balanced Vulkollan for cushioning between the battery and the body, and the thermally conductive polycarbonate Makrolon TC for the battery cell holders.With the finish line in Zolder behind them, the team is already looking ahead to the next challenge. The insights gained from the European Solar Challenge are being incorporated into the development of a new solar car, with which the team plans to compete again in the 2027 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia. The goal: to build on the top finish from 2025 and, if possible, improve upon it.

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