Case study
Premium TPU tableware and accessories: ZENZINGER & Desmopan® for synthetic Leather
ZENZINGER, a German brand recognized for customizable tableware as well as minimalist wallets and device cases, partners with Covestro to create premium TPU accessories. Products made with Desmopan® offer a leather-like appearance and texture, long-lasting durability, and a non-animal, circular-material approach.
ZENZINGER aimed to create customizable tableware (cutlery pouches, table runners, placemats, coasters) for hospitality, as well as accessories such as wallets and electronic-device cases, combining a premium look and feel with long-lasting durability for everyday use. The products were designed to be animal-free, compatible with small-batch German manufacturing, and aligned with a circular-material approach – merging design excellence with sustainability goals.
With Covestro as a trusted partner and Desmopan® TPU as our material, we achieved minimalist, durable, and more sustainable accessories that align perfectly with our brand values.
Leather sets a high standard for look, feel, and durability, making it challenging to replicate. ZENZINGER needed a material solution that could achieve leather-like aesthetics while preserving the minimalist design, integrating into precise small-batch production, and supporting sustainability through monomaterial construction suitable for mechanical recycling.
Our partnership with ZENZINGER shows the power of collaboration: combining their design vision with the versatility of Desmopan® TPU enabled us to produce premium, animal-free accessories that are both durable and aligned with circular-material principles.
Covestro partnered with ZENZINGER to integrate Desmopan® TPU, a high-performance thermoplastic polyurethane that can be used to create leather-like surfaces while being non-animal and recyclable. Well suited for circular-material design, Desmopan® TPU enables mono-material constructions that support mechanical recycling while maintaining a premium, leather-like aesthetic and feel. Lamination, embossing, lightweight ETPU backing, and high-frequency welded seams ensured a premium appearance, long-lasting durability, and seamless integration into small-batch German manufacturing.
Key benefits
- Easy to Clean: Resists stains; dirt wipes off easily. Compatible with common cleaners.
- Durable Design: Resistant to abrasion, bending, and daily wear for long-lasting use.
- Non-Animal: 100% animal-free TPU supports vegan and ethical product positioning.
- Circular Material: Monomaterial design enables potential mechanical recycling at end-of-life.
- Made in Germany: Local production ensures traceable quality and premium craftsmanship.
