Story
TPU surface design: One material, multiple finishes with advanced processing
Desmopan® TPU opens up exciting new possibilities in surface design – enabling everything from luxurious soft-touch finishes to rugged, high-grip textures, all with a single polymer material. With advanced processing techniques like laser texturing, designers can achieve visually and tactilely distinct surfaces tailored to automotive, fashion, and electronics applications without added coatings required.
Story · July 14, 2025
Velvet soft vs. rugged grip: The “Dual Touch” demonstration
The contrast between Desmopan® finishes is strikingly shown in the “Dual Touch” concept. One side of this prototype part is treated to have a velvet-soft touch – smooth, matte and nearly silky under the fingers. The opposite side is roughened by laser etching, creating a hard, grippy texture reminiscent of tire tread or outdoor gear. This single part illustrates how tactile versatility is built into Desmopan®: without switching materials, a part can present two entirely different haptics to the user. Product developers can thus design for both fashion and function at once – for example, a rugged handheld tool that still has sleek ergonomic panels where comfort is needed. The ability to toggle between soft-touch elegance and coarse durability makes Desmopan® TPU a versatile material choice in surface design.
Tactile versatility in automotive, electronics and fashion
Desmopan® TPU is already a trusted material across industries. Automotive: In automotive interiors, designers use it for trim panels, armrests and seat components where a premium soft-touch feel is essential, but durability cannot be compromised. A dashboard bezel or steering-wheel accent molded from Desmopan® can be laser-textured for a rich matte finish that feels high-end yet withstands years of wear and UV exposure. Electronics: Desmopan® combines shock-absorbing resilience with precise laser-etched textures, giving devices a secure grip and distinctive aesthetics, no additional coatings required. Fashion: In fashion and lifestyle products, Desmopan® TPU delivers on style and sustainability. Its synthetic leathers and coated fabrics mimic Leather-like appearance and feel – comfortingly soft and available in any color or grain – but with recycling and vegan credentials. Thanks to TPU’s natural resistance to oils and abrasion, these materials are built to last. In sportswear and accessories, the soft-touch haptics of TPU-based textiles enable garments that stretch and breathe without feeling stiff. A TPU-coated athletic shoe or handbag can feature embossed patterns or color gradients applied through heat and laser processing, allowing for highly customized aesthetics.
Sleek sophistication meets rugged performance
The examples show that Desmopan® unites sophistication and performance. Designers can specify one formulation and toggle surface effects instead of juggling multiple materials, simplifying procurement and supporting circular design goals. Covestro experts are ready to help teams turn these possibilities into products that look great, feel right and outperform expectations.
The Material Effect
Desmopan® TPU opens new possibilities in surface designs from luxurious soft-touch to high-grip textures, all with a single polymer material. The effect? With advanced processing techniques like laser texturing, designers can achieve visually and tactilely distinct surfaces tailored to specific needs. Simplify manufacturing while enhancing user experience in automotive, fashion and electronic products without added coatings.
No coating needed: Sculpt textures directly into Desmopan® for performance and recyclability
Designers can leverage surface-customization expertise from Covestro to tailor Desmopan® finishes. Laser texturing and embossing can precisely sculpt the surface of a molded part, controlling gloss, reflectivity and touch. Because Desmopan® is highly moldable, even fine micro-patterns reproduce reliably, and no additional coating is needed (helping maintain potential for recyclability). In practice, this means one grade of Desmopan® can be processed (by varying laser intensity, pattern or heat treatment) into everything from a velvety soft-touch surface to a textured, anti-slip skin. These manufacturing advances enable engineers fine-tune the look and feel of dashboards, consumer devices or fashion items down to the millimeter.
