Covestro introduced Desmopan® FLY, a next-generation Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) series designed specifically for supercritical fluid (SCF) injection foaming technology. The innovative solution targets the increasing demand for lightweight, high-performance, and sustainable materials across footwear, sports gear, furniture, and electronics.
Advanced Formulation for Lightweight and Recyclable Footwear
Desmopan® FLY incorporates a proprietary formulation that ensures superior SCF dispersion during molding. The result is a fine-cell foam structure offering excellent mechanical strength. In footwear, this translates to midsoles with enhanced cushioning, energy return, and long-term comfort. Free from chemical blowing agents and crosslinking additives, the material supports recyclability—especially when paired with soft TPU outsoles—advancing circular economy efforts in the footwear industry.
Meeting Performance and Sustainability Demands
“Leading sports brands are demanding materials that combine top-tier performance with strong environmental responsibility,” noted Wilson Chan, Head of Business Development TPU Asia Pacific at Covestro. “Desmopan® FLY delivers exceptional resilience, dimensional stability, and durability while enabling efficient, automated injection molding for high-performance and recyclable products,” Chan added.
State-of-the-Art R&D Support in Taiwan
Taking a bold step, Covestro has installed an advanced SCF injection foaming system at its TPU Asia-Pacific R&D Center in Taiwan. This facility enables rapid prototyping and custom application development, strengthening Covestro’s support for partners in developing sustainable footwear solutions.
“Our investment in this cutting-edge system marks a major milestone in our innovation roadmap,” said Dr. Christian Haessler, Head of Global Innovation TPU at Covestro. “We are combining material science with SCF processing expertise. This integration helps customers accelerate the journey from design to market,” added Dr. Haessler.
Sustainable and Efficient Manufacturing Platform
The SCF foaming process, combined with Desmopan® FLY, offers an energy-efficient manufacturing route that reduces carbon emissions. The integrated injection molding process simplifies production by consolidating multiple steps, ensuring high throughput and consistent product quality.
Commercial Availability and Industry Impact
Desmopan® FLY is now commercially available and backed by Covestro’s global technical support and R&D infrastructure. According to the press release, with this launch, Covestro empowers brands to enhance their product offerings. It does so through a unique blend of sustainability, performance, and production efficiency—helping to redefine the future of high-performance consumer goods.
