3
pilot centers
Innovations that shape the future
The future is created when people are enthusiastic about ideas and implement them with passion. For us, innovation therefore means more than just progress. It is what drives us to create ground-breaking new solutions, improve on the tried and tested and develop answers that are economically, ecologically and socially relevant and make a real difference.
With and for our customers
The best ideas come from dialog. That's why we work closely with our customers. In open, honest discussions at eye level, our experts identify the challenges you pose to us and work with you to develop customized solutions of excellent quality. With our flexible, progressive thinking, we generate technologically pioneering and optimized products. This enables us to create convincing solutions that meet the requirements of today, but also shape the future with our innovative ideas.
For our joint success in a strong partnership.
Expert voice
Our technical center is a place full of possibility and as a textile engineer, it's a dream come true for our customers.
Angela Weik, Strategic R&D Manager and Expert
Contact me on LinkedIn
Forward-thinking innovations
Our innovative strength is based on the principle that every technological advance must offer perceptible added value. To achieve this, we pool our strengths in a global network of highly qualified experts from our central technology centers and our production sites. By working closely together in cross-functional, interdisciplinary teams, we are able to provide answers to global megatrends such as digitalization, sustainability, mobility, modern medical technology and renewable energies.
Pilot center
We installed our first central laboratory in 1934 in order to have the right answer to technological developments at an early stage. Today, engineers from all over the world with a wealth of experience work at three locations in our central development and research laboratories. They are our experts for you and analyze trends, anticipate changes and drive forward technologies that sustainably improve and shape the everyday lives of our customers and society.
- State-of-the-art and future technology are a clear promise for us
- We always focus on all technological trends and developments
- We utilize the synergy effects of the entire Freudenberg Group across all technologies
R&D Teams
Sometimes it's the little things that can make a big difference. We have already developed many standards from ideas and requirements, which we can adapt to your individual specifications. More than 200 experts at our production sites are directly available to you for this purpose.
- Proximity to the customer and to production enables us to find the right solution for you quickly and easily
- Our technological bandwidth often provides unimagined possibilities
- Your individual solution offers you advantages in your markets
Material and process developement
The production maturity of our developments, realized with technological expertise and scientific support, proves our comprehensive competence. Optimizing processes and constantly improving product solutions and making them more efficient is what drives us every day. Our commitment enables us time and again to find technical solutions that do not yet exist.
- We use our extraordinary technical bandwidth for this – there is no such thing as impossible
- Working closely with you, our experts provide you with the decisive answers to your requirements
- Proximity to the production facilities creates delivery reliability
Sustainability
All our efforts in the further and new development of products are not only based on improvements and efficiency increases. Sustainability, the protection of valuable resources, the reduction of energy requirements and the effective use of raw materials underlines our responsibility for a world fit for future generations.
- Sustainability is firmly anchored in our DNA
- We are a pioneer in PET recycling, recycling 2.8 billion PET bottles every year
- By reducing our own footprint and increasing your handprint with the customer, we make a decisive contribution together
Digitalization
For us, digitalization means technical progress and consolidating our position on the global markets. With efficient and digitalized processes, we are making many workflows smoother and faster, while at the same time increasing the quality and safety of processes and products. This demonstrates our high standards of customer proximity.
- Digitalization allows us to create fully integrated technical processes and increase efficiency
- We thus simplify the cooperation with you in commercial processing
- We optimize our quality management and, as a result, product safety
Pilot center
We installed our first central laboratory in 1934 in order to have the right answer to technological developments at an early stage. Today, engineers from all over the world with a wealth of experience work at three locations in our central development and research laboratories. They are our experts for you and analyze trends, anticipate changes and drive forward technologies that sustainably improve and shape the everyday lives of our customers and society.
- State-of-the-art and future technology are a clear promise for us
- We always focus on all technological trends and developments
- We utilize the synergy effects of the entire Freudenberg Group across all technologies
R&D Teams
Sometimes it's the little things that can make a big difference. We have already developed many standards from ideas and requirements, which we can adapt to your individual specifications. More than 200 experts at our production sites are directly available to you for this purpose.
- Proximity to the customer and to production enables us to find the right solution for you quickly and easily
- Our technological bandwidth often provides unimagined possibilities
- Your individual solution offers you advantages in your markets
Material and process developement
The production maturity of our developments, realized with technological expertise and scientific support, proves our comprehensive competence. Optimizing processes and constantly improving product solutions and making them more efficient is what drives us every day. Our commitment enables us time and again to find technical solutions that do not yet exist.
- We use our extraordinary technical bandwidth for this – there is no such thing as impossible
- Working closely with you, our experts provide you with the decisive answers to your requirements
- Proximity to the production facilities creates delivery reliability
Sustainability
All our efforts in the further and new development of products are not only based on improvements and efficiency increases. Sustainability, the protection of valuable resources, the reduction of energy requirements and the effective use of raw materials underlines our responsibility for a world fit for future generations.
- Sustainability is firmly anchored in our DNA
- We are a pioneer in PET recycling, recycling 2.8 billion PET bottles every year
- By reducing our own footprint and increasing your handprint with the customer, we make a decisive contribution together
Digitalization
For us, digitalization means technical progress and consolidating our position on the global markets. With efficient and digitalized processes, we are making many workflows smoother and faster, while at the same time increasing the quality and safety of processes and products. This demonstrates our high standards of customer proximity.
- Digitalization allows us to create fully integrated technical processes and increase efficiency
- We thus simplify the cooperation with you in commercial processing
- We optimize our quality management and, as a result, product safety
50
experts in materials and process development
200
dedicated experts worldwide
Start your
innovation
with us!
We cooperate with you to find the right solution for every market. Whether we draw from our comprehensive standard portfolio or develop a customized product that is perfectly tailored to the needs of your market, you are in good hands with us.
We stay curious
For more than 175 years, we have been facing up to global challenges – from the shortfall of essential resources to requirements of new mobility requirements and sustainable energy management. We do not just look back at our achievements, but primarily look forward. Our aim is to optimize existing solutions and, as pioneers, to significantly contribute to improving the world and provide our customers with a head start in the market.
1936 – Nonwoven technology
Under the leadership of Dr. Carl Ludwig Nottebohm, a new process has been developed for the production of nonwovens that was unique at the time. The drylaid process is invented and marks a breakthrough for synthetically produced nonwovens, which replace leather and other materials.
1948 – Vliesline interlinings
After the war, Freudenberg continues to drive forward the development of nonwovens and permanently improves processes, production and quality. In 1948 the production of nonwoven interlinings for the clothing industry begins.
1957 – Filter production
The next diversification steps follow in 1957, when Freudenberg develops a special type of filter material made of synthetic polycarbonate fibers. They significantly improve particle filtration, increase filter efficiency, extend service life and reduce maintenance intervals.
1970 – Spunbond production
Freudenberg develops the spunbond technology for the production of robust, chemical- and temperature-resistant nonwovens. The high tear strength and water resistance make it possible to produce new wound dressings for medical technology and nonwoven harvesting materials for agriculture.
1975 – Spunbond PET/CoPET
Freudenberg expands the possibilities of nonwoven production with the basic materials polyester (PET) and co-polyester (CoPET). The process enables the production of even more resistant materials for applications in the automotive, medical and construction sectors.
1977 – Filters with PC technology
Synthetic fibers improve filtration in industry and automobiles. New standards for efficiency and service life are set. Maintenance intervals are significantly improved.
1991 – Start of PET bottle recycling
With its own recycling line for used PET bottles, Freudenberg Performance Materials is playing an important pioneering role in sustainable production. In a sophisticated process, PET bottles are converted into high-quality polyester flakes, which are then used in the production of nonwoven fabrics. With this investment, the company is implementing an integrated production cycle at its Colmar site, in which up to 2.5 billion bottles per year are also fed back to the production process at the Novedrate and Pisticci Scalo sites in Italy.
1992 – Interlining's 3P technology
Freudenberg uses an own special process, its 3P technology, to develop interlinings that significantly improve the properties of textile applications. The structure, shape, stability, fit and durability of garments take on a whole new quality.
1997 – Texbond®/Terbond®
With Texbond® and Terbond®, two polyester nonwovens reinforced with glass fibers, appear on the market. These products offer high strength and flexibility and are perfectly suited as backing materials for demanding applications in the construction industry.
1997 – R-PET technology
With the implementation of the R-PET technology, Freudenberg is setting new standards in the manufacture of new, environmentally friendly products from recycled flakes from PET bottles. This innovation promotes the circular economy, reduces plastic waste and has a positive impact on the carbon footprint. Today, 2.8 billion PET bottles are recycled every year.
1998 – Woven/Weft production
With woven textiles, Freudenberg is entering a new era in the production of robust and high-performance fabrics for the most demanding requirements. The technology plays a key role in the production of high-performance, durable and specialized fabrics for the clothing industry.
1998 – Development of Soundtex® acoustic nonwoven fabric
Freudenberg Performance Materials develops Soundtex®, an innovative acoustic nonwoven fabric specially designed for use in perforated ceiling and wall elements. It offers effective sound absorption with minimal material thickness. With its combination of high acoustic performance, ease of use, and environmental compatibility, Soundtex® is an efficient solution for modern acoustic challenges in architecture. The material consists of a homogeneous mixture of cellulose and glass fibers bound with a synthetic resin. With a weight of 63 g/m² and a thickness of only 0.2 mm, Soundtex® is easy to handle and install.
1999 – Introduction of Evolon®
For the first time, water jet treatment has made it possible to produce microfilament spunbonded nonwovens with high strength and excellent textile properties in a single continuous production process from polymer granulate to textile surface. The nonwovens can be used for a wide range of technical applications.
2001 – SPUN-R technology
Freudenberg decisively develops the spunbond process further in order to develop even more resistant and stronger nonwovens using recycled base materials. This is an important step forward in terms of sustainability. The products are used primarily in the building industry.
2010 – Hydro active nonwovens
The nonwovens with hydrogelling fibers absorb wound fluid and promote wound healing by binding the exudate and actively supporting the wound. The dressings offer high absorption, stability and pain-free dressing changes, for example.
2011 – Product innovation Scaffalone
Freudenberg develops bioresorbable nonwovens that can be enriched with active ingredients such as antibiotics or enzymes. The active pharmaceutical ingredients are released through diffusion from the fibers and their decomposition – in accordance with modern clinical requirements for local therapy.
2015 – Medical Foams
Freudenberg's foam technology marks the company's entry into the world of polyurethane foams for modern wound care. The combination of flexible silicone layers, which serve as an adhesive layer and are applied to hydrophilic polyurethane foam, effectively absorbs wound exudate and promotes healing directly at the wound bed. The wound is also protected from external influences.
2017 – GDL technology
Electromobility is an important topic for the future. Freudenberg has been intensively involved in this area since 1996. Since then, the gas diffusion layer has been advanced to industrial production maturity and is also protected by a broad patent portfolio. For the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), this is an enormously important element for ensuring functionality.
2017 – comfortemp®
comfortemp® is a high-performance padding that is manufactured using a process specially developed and patented by Freudenberg. It is lightweight, breathable, quick-drying and a perfect synthetic replacement for conventional down fillings. The eco version impresses with a 70% recycled polyester content.
2017 – Spike Airlaid Technology
Spike Airlaid Technology uses air currents to distribute fibers and shape them into an even fleece mat. This specially developed and precise method is primarily used in the hygiene, packaging and filtration industries for robust, high-performance materials.
2019 – Friction Inserts
Friction Inserts were developed to scale up static friction coefficients to µ = 0.95 and to enable a more compact, weight-reduced design. A non-woven material coated with hard particles ensures higher performance and is an alternative to highly complicated fixed screw connections.
2020 – Spunlaid and Needle Punch
With the Mercher Low&Bonar and Filc, the specialization of spunlaid and needle punch technologies has been further expanded, adding distinctive expertise to the technology spectrum.
2022 - New mobility
Freudenberg Performance Materials develops safety-relevant innovations for electric vehicles such as heat shields and fire-resistant seals for batteries, battery separators and other intelligent energy and efficiency-related products in order to play a key role as a supplier of components for electric mobility. In addition, for example, new types of special nonwovens are also produced to reduce the weight of modern vehicles.
2023 – Visions for the future
Electrolysis and fuel cells are key future technologies for energy use and storage. Freudenberg has a clear focus on driving forward development in this area in order to be at the forefront when market acceptance begins.
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Important milestones in our innovative power
We are convinced that the future belongs to those who have the courage to try something new. And that is precisely our philosophy – today, tomorrow and for future generations. We are happy to demonstrate this here with some of our pioneering solutions.
Convinced
to tackle
new things?
Benefit from our innovative strength and the unique breadth and performance of our technology portfolio. In combination with our distinctive expertise and decades of experience in development and manufacturing of nonwovens, we are able to develop your specific product solution for you.