NUO. Real wood as soft as leather.

An evolution in the world of materials

NUO is as soft as leather and as soft as fabric - made of real wood, vegan and sustainable. Hold NUO in your hand and you will immediately be amazed by the pleasant feel and beauty of the material. It is surprisingly light and looks very luxurious, can be bent in all directions and is very soft.

The patented "soft wood" already dresses first shoes, handbags and accessories, and launches now world-wide on the market. The product is particularly suitable for high-quality interior fittings, such as wall and ceiling claddings with an acoustic effect and/or in unusual shapes. The material has also arrived in automotive prototypes.

NUO consists of high-quality veneer, which comes exclusively from sustainable forestry. The thin real wood is bonded with an backing, then the wood surface is lasered. The fine texture gives the wood surface its flexibility. The backing material provides strength and ensures that NUO is easy to process. If desired, the material can be coated with a protective layer of wax or lacquer. This protective layer makes NUO resistant to dust and moisture (depending on the surface treatment used).

Depending on the application, NUO can be equipped with various backing materials: e.g. microfiber, cotton or fleece. In addition, a second layer of fabric can be useful. This allows holes created by the laser to be completely closed again – but the material becomes slightly more rigid again. It is important to note that, depending on the industry and the area of application, a different processing of the material is necessary (different versions in engraving, reverse side material, thickness due to sanding process and reverse side material).

Enquire now and let us know the details of your project, we will be happy to find the right solution for you. Further information can be found on our NUO website


NUO production process


NUO engravings

There are four different engravings to choose from, ranging in size from 1.7 mm to a maximum of 4 mm. Oak is available in three engravings.

Engraving T4 (Fig. in Walnut).
The engraving on oak is slightly bigger, therefore the engraving on oak is called T4M.
Engraving TX (Fig. in Oak).
The engraving on oak is slightly bigger, therefore the engraving on oak is called TXM.
Engraving T1S (Fig. in Walnut).
Not available in the wood species oak
Engraving T1L (Fig. in Oak).

NUO wood species

Natural Ash

Fig. in engravings TX, T4, T1S, T1L (from top to bottom)

Natural Walnut

Fig. in engravings TX, T4, T1S, T1L (from top to bottom)

Fineline Light

Fig. in engravings TX, T4, T1S, T1L (from top to bottom)

Natural Oak

Fig. in engravings TXM, T4M, T1L (from top to bottom / slightly bigger than engravings TX and T4)

Fineline Walnut

Fig. in engravings TX, T4, T1S, T1L (from top to bottom)

Natural Beech

NUO Buche Beech soft wood
Fig. in engravings TX, T4, T1S, T1L (from top to bottom)

Standard sizes

  • 1250 x 620 mm
  • 1250 x 1240 mm (net size)
  • 2500 x 1240 mm (net size)

Significantly larger formats can also be produced on request, up to a length of 2800 mm and a width of 1240 mm.

NUO - Wood like leather, Cherry
NUO - Wood like leather; Ash
NUO - Wood like leather; Oak

Collection update: NovaFlex NUO

NovaFlex valure™ coating meets flexible NUO wood.


The Coatings division of BASF, a renowned supplier of surface solutions, and Schorn & Groh GmbH, the world's leading veneer manufacturer with its subsidiary NUO GmbH, have always inspired the world of design with their innovative developments. Both companies are now combining their creative strengths and jointly opening a new chapter for the future.

NovaFlex NUO is a flexible, breathable material made of wood and microfiber with a soft-touch surface, a captivating high-quality velvety feel and supple versatility. It can be processed like a textile fabric and used in many different applications in the automotive, furniture, shoe, packaging and fashion industries.

NovaFlex NUO | velvety soft collection in 4 colours
NovaFlex NUO | Wood species: Oak | Colour: ocean-blue
NovaFlex NUO | Wood species: Walnut| Colour: ice-grey
NovaFlex NUO | Wood species: Swiss pine | Colour: sunset-orange
NovaFlex NUO | Wood species: Ash | Colour: apple-green

NUO Awards

Competition for textiles and leather: NUO soft wood by muto' "A real wood veneer with the properties of textile - you just have to "understand" it. The highly innovative and soft wood completely convinced the jury. Not only because it is made from renewable raw materials in Germany. It is an unusual product that never ceases to amaze, even after being touched several times". Matthias Franz, bdia Vice President.

NUO took first place in the process category and wins the materialPREIS 2020

Photo © raumprobe, Stuttgart
Photo © raumprobe, Stuttgart

NUO references

NUO reference fashion wood veneer bag
NUO reference upholstery wood veneer chair
NUO samples coloured
NUO reference upholstery wood veneer pillow
NUO reference fashion wood veneer shoes
NUO reference fashion wood veneer shoes
NUO reference fashion wood veneer

Your contact person

Dr. Markus Hauptmann
Production & Sales Nuo
Product Range Furniture
Telefon +49 721 9624595
markus.hauptmann@sg-veneers.com