TPU surface design: One material, multiple finishes with advanced processing

One material, endless textures: From soft luxury to rugged grip with Desmopan® TPU

Today’s product designers require materials that offer both standout aesthetics and reliable performance. Desmopan® TPU from Covestro opens new possibilities in TPU surface design, combining premium feel with toughness. Desmopan® offers high wear resistance and elasticity across a wide temperature range, yet its intrinsic softness delivers a luxurious touch (designed to function without plasticizers). This unique combination of durability and haptics allows one TPU grade achieve impressively different surface effects. 

A Covestro “Dual Touch” demo plate was made from a single Desmopan® material – one half polished to a silky-soft matte finish, the other half deeply textured by laser for a coarse, high-grip feel. Such duality – sleek sophistication vs. rugged performance – is now achievable without changing the material.

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.

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.