From sustainable, wafer-thin decorations to smart, functional surfaces and extraordinary hidden-til-lit concepts, LEONHARD KURZ has become a key creative and technological partner for future-oriented automotive design. The company combines advanced material expertise with a deep understanding of aesthetic language, thus driving innovation forward. In this exclusive interview, Rainer Süßmann, Executive Senior Vice President of the Business Area Plastic Decoration at KURZ, shares his thoughts on how visionary design, sustainability, and smart surfaces will shape the mobility experience of tomorrow.
ADP: Mr. Süßmann, how do you define ‘visionary design’ in today’s automotive industry?
Rainer Süßmann: Visionary design isn’t about forecasting trends but actively shaping what comes next. It’s a mindset that connects aesthetics with responsibility. We’re moving into an era where surfaces are no longer passive. Instead, they respond and even communicate. And there is more to it. Visionary design creates identity, but it also enables circularity, transparency, and emotional depth. At KURZ, we see each surface as an interface.
ADP: What role does sustainability play in that vision?
Rainer Süßmann: Sustainability forms the foundation of our design approach. While it used to be an afterthought in the past, now it’s the starting point. We use bio-based materials and decoration processes that help to reduce CO2 emissions and support recycling, or we rely on our own recycled rPET. However, true sustainability means empowering brand owners and designers with integrated solutions that consider the full lifecycle of a product, from production efficiency and supply chain impact to end-of-life reuse. It involves transparency in sourcing, compatibility with existing processes, and a design language that communicates environmental intent without compromising aesthetics. That’s the standard we set at KURZ, and that’s what we’re committed to.
ADP: At IAA Mobility, KURZ will present technical textile ideas made from the KURZ RECOSYS® rPET. What makes them relevant for designers?
Rainer Süßmann: Our focus is on developing sustainable materials that open new design possibilities. With our proprietary rPET material, created through the KURZ RECOSYS® recycling program, we are intensively working on the development of a high-quality monomaterial that can be processed into technical textiles with distinctive visual and tactile characteristics – in line with the EU end-of-life vehicle directive promoting circularity in new car production. In the near future, designers will gain access to a material that combines circular thinking with creative freedom, while also enabling surfaces with matte textures, natural appeal, or vegan alternatives to conventional materials. The material is already being explored in selected customer collaborations and shows initially strong potential for scalable design integration and broader industrial application.
ADP: One of KURZ’s highlights at the trade fair is the Deep Black Surface technology. What makes ‘black’ so relevant in future design?
Rainer Süßmann: Deep Black has evolved far beyond color and has become a design statement by adding contrast and clarity to digital interfaces. Our solutions come with integrated anti-reflection layers, reducing glare and adding intensity and depth. This technology allows plastic displays, opening up offering alternatives to glass displays.
ADP: Recently, we’ve seen more experimentation with holographic effects and light. Are these purely decorative?
Rainer Süßmann: No, they are not. Holographic and multi-layered designs are a new language of emotion. They allow surfaces to tell stories and respond to ambient light. In mobility interiors, these dynamic elements support differentiation and brand storytelling. They can enhance instrument panels, trim components, and functional surfaces by adding depth, interactivity, and a sense of motion to the cabin experience. The illusion of three-dimensionality on a flat surface – what we call ‘Flat yet Deep’ – creates a unique visual tension. At IAA Mobility, we will demonstrate the design diversity made possible by holographic effects.
ADP: How does KURZ collaborate with designers and OEMs to bring these concepts into series production?
Rainer Süßmann: We believe that successful innovation starts with early collaboration. We involve OEMs and designers while exploring new combinations, and ensuring feasibility. After all, what looks spectacular on screen must eventually perform on the production line. Collaborations like the one with Swarovski Mobility show how we can merge the best of different worlds – cutting-edge surface technology and iconic crystal aesthetics – to create bold new design visions. Our advanced processes, such as In-Mold Decoration, Functional Foil Bonding, or Insert Molding, make it possible to bring these visions into scalable series production without compromising the original intent.
ADP: Are OEMs open to pushing visual boundaries?
Rainer Süßmann: They certainly are. The openness to explore visual boundaries has never been greater. Designers and OEMs are pressured to stand out visually, functionally, and ethically. That’s why modularity and customizability are so important. Our solutions adapt to different vehicle platforms and brand narratives to support our clients. At the same time, the pace of the design process is accelerating, driven by AI and digital workflows. We are aligning our technologies and processes to keep up with this new speed, while still enabling meaningful design innovation.
ADP: What is the next big thing in mobility design from your point of view?
Rainer Süßmann: We expect intelligent surfaces to be one of the defining developments. We’ll see a more seamless integration of haptic feedback, light communication, and sensor transparency. But beyond technology, I believe the next leap is emotional connection. Car design will tell a story through surfaces, light, and materials.
ADP: What is KURZ working on now that you believe will truly move the industry forward?
Rainer Süßmann: We are exploring new frontiers in multi-material integration, especially where sustainable compounds meet smart functionality. That includes sensor integration, circular substrates, and optical or light effects that respond to environmental stimuli. We’re also advancing our recycling infrastructure and continuously developing our standards for sustainable surface design. The aim is to shift the industry toward more innovative, expressive, and responsible solutions.
