Covestro has expanded its Specialty Films Technical Competence Center (TCC) in Shanghai, further strengthening its ability to support customers across Asia Pacific in applications ranging from smart automotive surfaces to humanoid robots and secure identification documents.

Upgraded equipment for Film Insert Molding

The center has upgraded its Film Insert Molding (FIM) capabilities, a technology that enables one-step fabrication of plastic components with a decorated or functional surface. This creates smart surfaces such as automotive exteriors and interiors with built-in functionalities like lighting, heating and controls.

Equipment for Film Insert Molding.

The new equipment includes a larger screen printer that can handle polycarbonate films nearly twice the previous size. This allows the team to prototype larger components, such as automotive front grilles, where sensors and display elements can be directly integrated into the exterior surfaces.

Flexible Printed Electronics for robots

The expansion also includes specialized equipment for Flexible Printed Electronics (FPE), which are electronic circuits printed on flexible substrates like TPU films that can be used in wearable devices and robots.

A dedicated screen printer designed for conductive inks ensures precise control during circuit printing, while a new thermal forming machine allows the team to test how circuits perform when shaped into complex 3D forms.

Maintaining electrical performance during forming remains a key challenge in flexible electronics. This supports emerging applications such as tactile sensors in dexterous hands and electronic skin for humanoid robots. The center also advises customers on processing conditions and circuit design.