Freudenberg Performance Materials opened a
new Apparel Performance Materials R&D center at its Taoyuan facility in
Taiwan on March 14, 2018.
The new R&D center will focus on
innovative developments in the field of performance apparel interlinings,
sustainable solutions such as recycled fiber and biodegradable interlinings,
adhesive technology as well as new processing technology. With a modern
physical and chemical laboratory, it will help speed up product development,
materials analysis and the use of sustainable technology.
The Taoyuan factory where the new R&D
center is located was established almost 30 years ago. Its more than 120
employees produce interlining materials for the apparel industry. The site has
undertaken several sustainability projects, including energy and water savings
programs, in an effort to minimize its environmental footprint. The positive
impact of these initiatives is proven by certificates for clean processing, GRS
(Global Recycle Standard), and Oekotex100 class 1.
“Our overall investment concept in China is
in line with market and customer requirements. We react to the growing demands
of our customers for the development of innovations that meet the specific
needs of the Chinese market,” says Bettina Schoen-Behanzin, Freudenberg
Regional Representative Asia.
Freudenberg Performance Materials is a
Business Group of Freudenberg Group, which consistently pursues an investment
policy based on the requirements of the regional markets in which it is active.
In 2016, Freudenberg Group invested 282 million RMB in China.
During the last 5 years, the Freudenberg
Group has invested some 1.2 billion RMB in its sites, production facilities and
technology centers in China. The R&D center
is the latest in a series of investments made by Freudenberg Performance
Materials in the region. Last year the company opened its first Shirt
Technology Center in Nantong, China, expanding its service and support for
shirt manufacturers in Asia.