Covestro inaugurates new production line for paint protection films (PPF)

At the inauguration of the new production line for paint protection films, Covestro also presented its new Desmopan UP TPU series. UP stands for "Ultimate Protection." The series offers high durability, conformability and aesthetics, protecting automotive surface coatings from harsh environmental conditions. The material can also be used to protect wind turbine rotor blades or electronic device screens. The global PPF market is expected to grow steadily through 2030, with Asia-Pacific accounting for the largest share of the overall market. In turn, the expected growth in this region is largely due to the growth of the Chinese market. At the same time, North America and Europe also show solid growth forecasts. The great interest in the material stems primarily from the fact that vehicle owners pay close attention to the aesthetic condition of their cars and, in particular, their surfaces. TPU as a material for paint protection films is a benchmark for quality, long-term aesthetics and surface integrity in this regard.

Covestro is one of the largest international suppliers of TPU material for PPF production. "We are very excited to start up our new production line and launch the new Desmopan UP series to meet the growing demand for high-performance PPF in Asia Pacific and around the world," said Lisa Ketelsen, head of TPU in APAC. In PPF, the choice of materials and their formulation play a crucial role. Covestro has put years of research into formulation and advanced manufacturing technologies to create the foundation for Desmopan UP-based TPUs for PPF. According to the manufacturer, the material offers outstanding UV resistance, excellent hydrolysis and chemical resistance, and outstanding optical clarity. This ensures long-lasting performance, weatherability and impact resistance. In addition, Desmopan UP allows quick and easy adaptation to complex designs and surfaces of different vehicles. "We believe that our customers and the TPU market are looking for partners, not just material suppliers, to develop solutions together. At Covestro, we can and want to be such a partner," says Dr. Andrea Maier-Richter, head of the TPU business unit at Covestro. "We are committed to working with our customers and along the value chain to unlock the potential of Desmopan UP and support the growth ambitions of core industries such as automotive and wind."