Covestro, Marquardt, and E Ink create responsive, design-integrated surfaces for automotive interiors
- Transparent waterborne PU coating allows E Ink e-paper displays to be seamlessly embedded behind premium-feel synthetic materials
- Combines dynamic color functionality with the durability and performance required for automotive interiors
As automotive interiors trends evolve toward seamlessly integrated controls and adaptive design elements, manufacturers are seeking ways to embed smart functionality into surfaces without changing the look and feel of established materials.
Marquardt, a leading supplier of smart mechatronic systems for automotive applications, set out to address this challenge with its concept car, “The Centum”. A key objective in The Centum project was to develop a door interior panel that maintained the visual and haptic properties of polyurethane (PU)-coated textile synthetics commonly used in automotive interiors, while enabling a dynamic color-changing responsive display to be invisibly embedded within the surface. This functionality supports emerging trends such as backlit surfaces and integrated control elements.
To realize this vision, Marquardt partnered with E Ink, a leader in advanced display technology known for durability, low energy consumption, and suitability for demanding environments. The challenge was to integrate the functional display into the interior design in a way that preserved the premium appearance and performance of coated synthetic surfaces, while allowing the display’s colors to remain clearly visible.
After evaluating multiple approaches, Marquardt approached Covestro to develop a suitable material solution. Covestro textile coating experts worked closely with both partners to develop a fully transparent film based on INSQIN® waterborne PU technology, with Impranil® DLC-F as the foundation. Impranil® DLC-F is a waterborne polyurethane dispersion widely used in topcoats for automotive interior textile coatings. The result is a transparent coated synthetic that retains the premium texture of automotive textiles while allowing the display’s dynamic colors to be fully visible, fulfilling the demanding performance requirements of automotive interiors.
Felix Hake, Head of Innovation at Marquardt said: “With The Centum, we wanted to demonstrate how intelligent functions can be integrated into interior surfaces without compromising design or quality. Working with E Ink and Covestro allowed us to create a material solution that combines a premium tactile experience with responsive visual effects.”
Dr. Torsten Pohl, Global Head of Textile Coatings at Covestro added: “This project highlights the versatility of INSQIN® PU technology and Impranil® DLC-F. By developing a transparent, automotive-grade PU coated synthetic compatible with E Ink displays, we were able to support Marquardt in integrating dynamic functionality into familiar surface materials.”
Pete Valianatos, Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives & FPL Platform Management at E Ink, noted: “Our e-paper display technology is designed to deliver dynamic visual experiences with low power consumption, while maintaining the robustness required for demanding applications. Collaborating with Marquardt and Covestro has enabled us to demonstrate how E Ink displays can be integrated behind coated interior surfaces, allowing automotive designers to introduce adaptive color features without changing the established look and feel of premium materials.”
To see what this responsive functional surface looks like, visit Techtextil 2026, held in Frankfurt between April 21 and 24. A door panel demonstrator will be on display at the Covestro booth C79 in hall 11.0.
About Covestro:
Covestro is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-quality polymer materials and their components. With its innovative products, processes and methods, the company helps enhance sustainability and the quality of life in many areas. Covestro supplies customers around the world in key industries such as mobility, building and living, as well as the electrical and electronics sector. In addition, polymers from Covestro are also used in sectors such as sports and leisure, telecommunications and health, as well as in the chemical industry itself.
The company is geared completely to the circular economy. In addition, Covestro aims to achieve climate neutrality for its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2035, and the Group’s Scope 3 emissions are also set to be climate neutral by 2050. Covestro generated sales of EUR 12.9 billion in fiscal year 2025. At the end of 2025, the company had 46 production sites worldwide and employed approximately 17,600 people (calculated as full-time equivalents).
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Covestro AG. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Covestro’s public reports which are available at www.covestro.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.
About Marquardt Group
How do we transform the vehicle interior into a comfortable and safe feel-good place? How do we get your car to fill up with green energy at the charging station without you having to do anything? And how does your washing machine automatically set the right program for your laundry while optimizing your water and detergent consumption? Day after day, we at Marquardt passionately dedicate ourselves to future questions like these - and answer them with mechatronic system solutions and intuitive user experience in the here and now. This is how we make life easier, safer and more sustainable. For our customers. And for our customers' customers. Whether in the automotive industry, for manufacturers of power tools, household appliances or heating and air conditioning technology.
We also put our heads together with future developers from start-ups or research institutes and are involved in networks. Moreover, we see ourselves as pioneers of new technologies: for example, we are helping to bring fuel cells into mass production or develop contactless holographic operating concepts for the highest hygiene standards.
As a supplier of intelligent mechatronic systems, we deliver the mobility solutions and operating concepts of tomorrow. So that your products are convenient, safe and energy-efficient - and fun to use!
In short: We put the future in your hands!
About E Ink
E Ink is the originator, pioneer and commercial leader in ePaper technology. The company delivers its advanced display products to the world's most influential brands and manufacturers, enabling them to install extremely durable, low power displays in previously impossible or unimaginable applications and environments.