WEISSBACH, Germany —Hornschuch has developed a new generation of materials in its portfolio under the Skai® Venezia brand which is supposed to reduce the temperature of its coated fabric outdoors.

“Up until now, the surfaces of colored upholstery fabrics heated up uncomfortably with midsummer temperatures and direct sunlight, which often made sitting or lying impossible,” says Bruno Lehmann, Head of Business Unit Interior of Hornschuch.

“Special cool color pigments reduce the heating of the surface by up to 25 percent. This principle has proven itself on window profile films or convertible seat covers for years. At the same time, a nano coating makes the material extremely weather, UV, and dirt-resistant. This makes it ideal for outdoor living,” Lehmann says. Bruno Lehmann: Bruno Lehmann, Head of Business Unit Interior, is optimistic about the US market: “The chances are good that we will be successful there within the next two years.”

In addition to Venezia, Hornschuch will also show the following products at MoOD: Pavinto EN, with a vintage looking cowhide look in eight colors; Solino EN, an award winning fabric featuring a simulated 3D stitched seam that looks handmade in 11 coordinated colors; Sorisma EN, a wave-shaped, twisted structure available in eight different metallic colors. At imm cologne, skai® Sorisma EN was recognized with the Label Interior Innovation Award – Winner 2013.

“Over the past two years, O’Sullivan Films Inc. in Winchester, VA, the US subsidiary of the German surface specialist Hornschuch was equipped to manufacture skai® in the USA, and the interest of the furniture industry is enormous,” Lehmann says. Currently, Hornschuch is investing in marketing and sales in order to be able to adequately serve the market. Lehmann, says he is certain that he will soon be able to convince well-known American furniture customers of the advantages of the material: “Our goal is complete market penetration in the coming two years. High quality and attractive design, Made in USA, are the hallmark of our O’Sullivan division.”