What's Happening?
Covestro, Marquardt, and E Ink have collaborated to develop a transparent polyurethane (PU) coating that allows e-paper displays to be embedded into automotive interior surfaces without altering their appearance. This innovation is showcased in Marquardt's
concept car, The Centum, where the technology is demonstrated through a door interior panel featuring a dynamic color-changing display integrated within a standard PU-coated textile surface. The coating is based on Covestro's INSQIN waterborne PU technology, using Impranil DLC-F as its foundation. This transparent film preserves the texture of conventional automotive textiles while allowing E Ink's e-paper display colors to remain visible through the surface, enabling backlit surfaces and integrated control elements without modifying the established material finish.
Why It's Important?
This development represents a significant advancement in automotive interior design, offering manufacturers the ability to integrate dynamic displays into car interiors without compromising on design or material quality. The collaboration between Covestro, Marquardt, and E Ink highlights the potential for innovative materials to enhance user experience in vehicles, providing both aesthetic and functional benefits. This technology could lead to more interactive and customizable car interiors, appealing to consumers seeking modern and technologically advanced vehicles. Additionally, it demonstrates the potential for sustainable and efficient manufacturing processes in the automotive industry, as the use of waterborne PU technology aligns with environmental goals.
What's Next?
The door panel demonstrator featuring this technology will be exhibited at Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt from April 21 to 24 at the Covestro booth. This exhibition will provide an opportunity for industry stakeholders to experience the technology firsthand and explore its potential applications in future automotive designs. The success of this demonstration could lead to broader adoption of embedded display technologies in the automotive sector, influencing future design trends and consumer expectations.
