Freudenberg strengthens sites in Brazil
The Company expands plants in Jacareí and Diadema
Weinheim/São Paulo, February 6, 2014. The internationally-active Freudenberg Group is underscoring its commitment to South America. The technology company is investing in nonwoven and seal production in Brazil. Both investments are part of a 40 million Brazilian Reais budget (around 13.2 million Euros) that Freudenberg had earmarked for the region in 2013 for innovations, capacity expansion and general process optimization. Thanks to the new technology and production plants, the sites at Jacareí and Diadema in the Federal State of São Paulo are to be strengthened for the future. “Brazil is one of the Freudenberg Group’s strategic growth markets where we would like to gain greater market share,” explains Dr. Mohsen Sohi, Speaker of the Freudenberg Group Board of Management.
The Freudenberg Nonwovens Business Group will be commissioning a new manufacturing plant for the Technical Products and Hygiene market segments. This underscores the significance of the South American region. “Thanks to the close cooperation with experts in Weinheim, we will be able to manufacture even better specialist hygiene products in the future using tried and tested nonwovens’ technology. That will strengthen our competitiveness as a globally-active Group,” says Juan Carlos Borchardt, Freudenberg’s Regional Representative for South America. The move paves the way for the Nonwovens business area to harness further opportunities to grow profitably in niche markets in the hygiene market segment. “Sales will rise significantly with the nonwovens manufactured in the new plant,” says Borchardt with conviction. “Our existing product portfolio will be expanded. We will be able to manufacture quite special solutions – such as printed or especially light, cotton-like nonwovens.”
In addition, the Freudenberg Group is also expanding its commitment to the automotive industry and commissioning a new production line for thermoplastic high-performance components in Diadema together with its Japanese Partner NOK (Nippon Oil Seal Industry Co., Ltd.).
Following the USA, China and Japan, Brazil is the largest automotive market in the world. Experts expect an increase in this year’s vehicle production of twelve percent to 3.8 million manufactured vehicles. In the last few weeks, several automotive manufacturers have announced their intention to build new assembly plants in the region. To be able to meet the growing demand for top technology, the Freudenberg Group is reacting with its new production line. Thanks to the new manufacturing unit, it will be possible to manufacture additional products, customized for the region. Manufacturing locally will also enable the Freudenberg Group to develop even closer relationships to the customer and to win new customers, not only in Brazil but also throughout South America.
Freudenberg in Brazil
The Freudenberg Group has maintained business ties with Brazil for more than 160 years and currently employs more than 1,400 associates at eight sites. In addition to Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, Freudenberg Chemical Specialities, Freudenberg Nonwovens, Freudenberg Filtration Technologies, as well as the EagleBurgmann and TrelleborgVibracoustic Joint Ventures, are represented locally. For more information please go to www.freudenberg.com.br.
Freudenberg Nonwovens
Freudenberg Nonwovens is one of the world’s largest producers of nonwovens, with 21 manufacturing and processing sites in 13 countries. The company manufactures interlinings for the apparel industry and develops nonwovens for the following markets: Energy, Automotive Interiors, Hygiene, Medical, Building Interiors, Geotextiles and Specialties. Freudenberg Nonwovens markets innovative products such as Lutradur®, Vilene®, Soundtex® and Evolon®. In the 2012 financial year, Freudenberg Nonwovens employed just under 3,000 people and generated sales of roughly €650 million. www.freudenberg-nw.de
