Freudenberg SE
Company Profile
Business Overview
-The Company is a leading German supplier of seals, NVH components, batteries, fuel cells, textiles, industrial fibers and filters. Products are supplied to various sectors, including the passenger car and commercial vehicle industry.
-The following table is a description of the Company’s organizational structure, comprised of four business areas divided further into several business groups:
Business Area | Business Group | Activities | For the automotive market |
Seals and Vibration Control Technology | Freudenberg Sealing Technologies | -Sealing products and technologies for automotive and general industry applications. -Under the Corteco brand, it manufactures automotive aftermarket products. |
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Freudenberg Flow Technologies | -Industrial seals for oil, gas, renewable energy and other markets. -Under the EagleBurgmann brand, it manufactures products for pumps, compressors, agitators and special machines. |
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Vibracoustic | -NVH products for automotive applications. | ● | |
Technical Textiles and Filtration |
Freudenberg Performance Materials | -Textiles for automotive, construction, apparel, energy, healthcare, and other applications. | ● |
Freudenberg Filtration Technologies | -Filtration technology for automotive, transport, energy, healthcare, and other applications. | ● | |
Japan Vilene Company | -Non-woven products for automotive, medical, electrical and industrial applications. | ● | |
Cleaning Technologies and Products | Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions | -Cleaning and laundry care products offered under various brands. | |
Specialties | Freudenberg Chemical Specialities | -Specialty lubricants, mould release agents for the manufacture of articles, surface treatment chemicals and products for repair and maintenance. | |
Freudenberg e-Power Systems | -Founded in April 2022 -Fuel cell and battery systems for heavy-duty applications such as buses and trucks, as well as other market. -Under the XALT Energy brand, it produces lithium-ion batteries, modules and systems for trucks, buses, special-purpose vehicles, and other industries. |
● | |
Freudenberg Medical | -Design, develop and manufacture medical devices. |
-Sales in the automotive OEMs sector accounted for 41% of the Company's total sales in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
Shareholders
-The Company is a family company owned by the approximately 370 heirs of the founder, Carl Johann Freudenberg.
Products
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies
-Absolute encoders
-Advanced connectors with integrated functionality
-Actuator diaphragms
-Back up rings
-Battery cell seals
-Battery cooling ports
-Bellows
-Blue seals
-Bobbins
-Bonded piston seals
-Boots
-Breathable caps
-Cartridge seals
-Cassette seals
-Connectors
-Cooling connectors
-Cooling cycle tubes
-Covers
-Curve gaskets
-Damper and steering seals
-Diaphragm accumulators
-DIAvent and DIAvent Light pressure management solutions
-Distributor valve seals
-D-rings
-eCON electrically conductive non-wovens
-Edge-bonded gaskets
-Elastomeric gaskets for battery housings
-EMI shielding materials
-Encoders
-Energy Saving Seals (ESS)
-Flexible coolers
-Frame gaskets for pouch cells
-Gaskets
-Heat shields
-Housings with integrated seals
-Hydraulic accumulators
-In-cell gap fillers
-Large-scale gaskets
-Leakage absorber mats
-Levitex gas lubricated seals
-Low friction simmerrings
-Multipole encoders
-O-rings
-Offset seals
-Overmolded bus bars
-Overpressure valves
-Plastic carrier gaskets
-Plastic cooling jackets with integrated sealing
-Plug and Seal plug-in connectors
-Plug and Seal connectors with sensors
-Plug seals
-Pop seals
-Port seals
-Pouch cell frames
-Power module cooling seals
-PTFE seals for rotary joints
-Pump housings
-Radial shaft seals
-Recirculation diaphragm
-Seals on bipolar plates
-Seals on gas diffusion layer
-Seals for electronic modules
-Sealing caps
-Sealing covers
-Sealing disks
-Sealing mats
-Sealing plugs
-Shock absorber seals
-Simmerring radial shaft seals
-Stack sealings
-Static seals
-3D-formed all-plastic pipes
-Tank valve O-rings
-Thermally conductive elastomer materials
-Thermoplastic materials
-Thrust washers
-Topographic 3D Thermal Interface Materials (TIM)
-Valve stem seals with back-pressure sealing lips
-VCT seal rings
-Waste gate diaphragm
-Water pump seals and gaskets
-Front and rear crankshaft seals
-Camshaft seals
Freudenberg e-Power Systems
-Fuel cells and battery systems for commercial vehicles
Freudenberg Chemical Specialities
-Lubricants and release agents for the following:
- Brake systems
- Steering systems
- Chassis systems
- Constant Velocity (CV) joints
- Drive trains
- Seats
- Tires
- Gearboxes
- Clutches
-Corrosion protection coatings
-Decorative finishing of metal and plastic parts
-Modular cleaners for cylinder production
Freudenberg Filtration Technologies
-Cabin air filters
- micronAir particle filter
- micronAir combination filter with activated carbon layer
- micronAir proTect line with added allergen protection
-Engine intake air filters
-micronAir fuel cell filters
-micronAir fuel cell humidifiers
Freudenberg Performance Materials
-Acoustic composities
-Acoustic nonwovens
-Backing materials for throw-in mats
-Backing materials for automotive carpets
-Evolon microfilament material for sound absorption
-Friction inserts
-Moldings
-Multi-layer composite for underbodies and wheel liners
-Nonwovens for automotive headliners
-Nonwovens as battery separators
-Nonwovens for cargo screens
-Nonwovens for fuel cells
-Nonwoven composites for molded underbody panels and wheel liners
-Automotive carpets for sound deadening and surface design
-Technical packaging for sensitive surfaces
-Battery separators for hybrid and electric vehicles
-Headliner facings
-Tuft backings for automotive carpets
-Battery pack liquid absorbers
Vibracoustic
-Centering devices, isolators and dampers
- Center bearing supports
- Center sleeves
- Drive shaft dampers
- Spherical center sleeves
- Flexible propshaft couplings
- Flexible rubber couplings
- Propshaft dampers
- Tube-in-tube torsional isolators
-Motor mounts
- Hydro engine mounts
- Switchable hydro motor mounts
- Vacuum switchable hydro motor mounts
- Quiettype motor mounts
- Transmission mounts
- Torque rods
- Gearbox mounts
- Engine mounts with heat shields
- Modular motor mount bracket with thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) bushing
- Active hydro motor mounts
- Passive switchable hydro motor mounts
- Motor mounts for electric trucks
-Torsional vibration dampers
- Damper isolator pulleys
- Overrunning damper isolator pulleys
- Vulcanized torsional vibration dampers
- High torque pressed torsional vibration dampers
- Sprocket dampers
- Fluid torsional vibration dampers
-Air springs
- Axial sleeves
- Cross-ply bellows
- Switchable three-chamber air springs
- ZAX bellows
- Bionics sleeve-type air springs
- Lighttronics lightweight commercial vehicle air springs
- Centronics cabin air springs
-Chassis mounts
- DualRubber bushings
- Hydro-bushings
- Subframe bushes
- Top mounts
- Lightweight plastic top mounts
- Cooler mounts
- Mud stay assemblers
- Reaction rod bushes
- Bolster springs
- Steering column bushings
- Leaf spring bushings
- Stabilizer bar link bushings
- Lightweight Front Axle Plastic Top Mounts
- Chassis bushing for EVs
- Chassis bushings
- Axle bump stops
- Battery pack mounts
-Chassis isolators and dampers
- Exhaust mounts
- Brake tuned absorbers
- Covertible dampers
- Mass dampers
- Seat dampers
- Rear differential unit dampers
- Air supply units (ASUs) bracket
- Elastic ring gear
- Stator isolators
- Encapsulated eCompressor brackets
- Vacuum pump decoupling
- Battery pack isolations
- Steering dampers
- eCompressor Decouplings
- Thermal management decoupling systems
-Microcellular urethane components
- Jounce bumpers
- Spring aids
- Body mounts
- Spring isolators
- MCU top mounts
-Cab mounts
- Cabin mount - tilting bearings
- Cabin mount with decouple stiffness rate and tilting functions
- Cabin mount – comfort bearings
- Cabin top mounts
Japan Vilene Company
-Headliner materials
-Interior materials
-Automobile filters
-Insulator materials
-Automatic transmission fluid strainers
-Floor mats
-Trunk mats
-Opening trim
History
1929 | Manufacture of leather seals (Simmerring), a radial shaft sealing ring, was developed of Freudenberg. |
1936 | Use of synthetic rubber for seals. |
1957 | Acquired license for production of rubber-to metal-elements. Starting of vibration control technology. |
1960 | Acquired holdings in the Japanese company NOK (owned 25%). |
1989 | Established the Freudenberg-NOK joint venture in the USA. |
1991 | Acquired Woodland Molded Plastic Corp., YOM of France and Carl Bartsch GmbH & Co. KG. Sold Wheaton Health Care Products and Pharma Tech GP |
1992 | Acquired Freudenberg Dichtungs und Schwingungstechnik GmbH and Formenbau und Kunststofftechnik from the East German state-owned VEB Gumminwerke (Polymant GmbH). |
1993 | Acquired the three seal manufacturers: Procal and PU S.A. in France, and Precision Rubber Sealings in Italy Owned a minority holding in German seal manufacture ElringKlinger GmbH. |
1998 | Freudenberg formed a partnership with Phoenix AG and French gasket manufacture Meillor SA. Freudenberg terminated its partnership with ElringKinger GmbH. |
Jan. 1998 | Freudenberg started a plant to produce shock absorber seals for Central and Eastern European vehicle manufactures in Hungary, with DM 10 million investment. |
May 1998 | Freudenberg sold 37.2% share in ElringKlinger GmbH. |
Jul. 1998 | Freudenberg acquired the O-ring manufacturer International Seal Corp in USA. |
Dec. 1998 | Freudenberg acquired a minority holding in and agreed to cooperation with Meillor SA, which is a French automotive gasket manufacture to meet the demand for complete sealing systems. With NOK acquired a minority holding in Korea company Pyung Hwa Industrial Co., Ltd. |
Jan. 1999 | Freudenberg Vliesstoffe KG and Japanese Vilene Company acquired Korean non-woven products manufacturer, the Xetex Corporation (owned 45%). |
Mar. 1999 | Freudenberg started a 3 year program of refurbishment at its brake hoses plant in Saint-Andre-Le-Puy, France. Freudenberg invested FF 28 million at Andrezieux-Boutheon plant, France. |
Jul. 1999 | Freudenberg-NOK acquired a subsidiary of Meillor or SA, Farnam Meillor(USA) that produces gaskets. For systemization with transmission sealing gaskets. |
2000 | Freudenberg acquired a majority holding in Handles und Verwaltungsgesellshaft Erich Wagner & Co. |
Jan. 2000 | European Commission authorized a 50:50 joint-venture between Freudenberg and Phoenix AG. |
Jul. 2003 | Freudenberg Nonwovens opened new plant for micronAir cabin air filters in Kaiserslautern. |
Mar. 2004 | Freudenberg & Co. acquired large sections of automotive business of Burgmann Dichtungswerke in Wolfratshausen. |
Jan. 2005 | Sigma Freudenberg NOK joint venture opened a new production plant for seals in Mohali, Northern India. |
May 2005 | The Freudenberg Group and its Japanese partners NOK and JVC acquired Nantong Hymo. |
Jun. 2006 | Freudenberg NOK Mechatronics bought the production plant for large flexible printed circuits and a large share of the associated business from Delphi Deutschland GmbH. |
Aug. 2007 | Freudenberg & Vilene Filter Thailand (FVFT), a new joint venture established in Amata Nakon Industrial Estate. |
Oct. 2007 | Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership acquired the assets of Precision Industries Corporation of Germantown, Wisconsin. |
Dec. 2007 | Mitsubishi Corporation and Freudenberg signed a contract for the sale of the European and US Flexitech companies. |
Jan. 2008 | Freudenberg Nonwovens took over the operations of the Spasciani Air Filter SpA in Milan. |
2010 | Vibracoustic took over all shares of the joint venture partner Anvis Group, making it the sole owner of Vibracoustic do Brasil headquartered in Taubate, Brazil. |
Freudenberg Filtration Technologies acquired a majority share in Micro Fresh Filters (Aust.) Pty. Ltd., Braeside, Australia. | |
Jan. 2011 | The Company handed over its OEM cylinder head and exhaust gasket business to ElringKlinger AG with effect from January 1, 2011. |
Mar. 2012 | Freudenberg Filtration Technologies, acquired Pyramid Filters Pvt. Ltd. |
Jun. 2012 | Sold precision molded brake parts business to ContiTech Vibration Control GmbH. |
Jul. 2012 | Completed the joint venture between Freudenberg Vibracoustic Business Group and Trelleborg AB to form TrelleborgVibracoustic. |
Oct. 2012 | Freudenberg Sealing Technologies acquired 50% of the Schneegans group. |
2013 | Freudenberg Sealing Technologies acquired Beta Seals Sizdirmazlik Elemanlari Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Srketi, a manufacturer of bearing seals for automotive applications. |
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies acquired 90% of PTFE Compounds Germany GmbH, a supplier of high-quality PTFE compounds. | |
Jun. 2013 | Formed a joint venture, Vibracoustic CV Air Springs GmbH, from the Company's TrelleborgVibracoustic segment with HSS Otomotiv to produce air springs for commercial vehicles. |
Dec. 2013 | TrelleborgVibracoustic acquired its former joint venture, Sigma Vibracoustic India, a producer of automotive anti-vibration solutions. |
Jan. 2014 | Freudenberg NOK Mechatronics was renamed as enmech. |
NOK-Freudenberg Group China was integrated into the Freudenberg Sealing Technologies Business Group. | |
Jan. 2015 | Freudenberg Performance Materials began operation combining Freudenberg Nonwovens and Freudenberg Politex Nonwovens. |
Aug. 2015 | Acquired Japan Vilene Co., Ltd. via a takeover bid through FT Holdings, a joint venture between the Company and Toray Industries, Inc. |
Apr. 2016 | Acquired and gained control of Japan Vilene Company, a manufacturer and developer specializing in nonwovens. The Company owns 75% of Japan Vilene Company, while Toray owns the remaining 25%. |
Jul. 2016 | Acquired remaining 50% stake of Vibracoustic GmbH, a joint venture with Trelleborg AB specializing in vibration control technology, from Trelleborg AB for approximately SEK 6.8 billion. |
Feb. 2019 | Increased shareholding in XALT Energy, a developer and manufacturer of lithium-ion technologies for energy storage solutions for the commercial vehicle industry headquartered in Midland, MI, U.S., from 31.8% to 50.1%. |
Mar. 2019 | Acquired 75% stake in Apollo Air-Cleaner Co., Ltd., a developer and manufacturer of air and water filtration solutions in Foshan, China. |
Sep. 2019 | Acquired Low & Bonar PLC, a manufacturer of technical textiles headquartered in London, England. |
Oct. 2019 | Acquired FRICTins GmbH, a startup based in Wolnzach, Germany which develops technologies for friction enhanced surfaces. |
Jan. 2020 | Acquired TRAXIT International GmbH, one of the largest wire drawing lubricant manufacturers in the world, through its subsidiary Kluber Lubrication Munchen SE & Co. KG. Acquired 100% of the shares of Filc Group, a manufacturer of needle punch nonwoven textiles and laminated materials for the automotive and construction industries. |
May 2020 | Acquired 100% of the shares of Low & Bonar PLC, a manufacturer of technical textiles across multiple industries, including the automotive industry. |
Jan. 2023 | Acquired 49.9% remaining ownership interest in XALT Energy, LLC. from MBP Investors and thus become the sole owner of XALT Energy. |
Supplemental Information 1
Freudenberg & Co. KG
>>>Business Report FY ended Dec. 31, 2007
>>>Business Report FY ended Dec. 31, 2008
>>>Business Report FY ended Dec. 31, 2009
>>>Business Report FY ended Dec. 31, 2010
>>>Business Report FY ended Dec. 31, 2011
>>>Business Report FY ended Dec. 31, 2012
>>>Business Report FY ended Dec. 31, 2013
>>>Business Report FY ended Dec. 31, 2014
>>>Business Report FY ended Dec. 31, 2015
>>>Business Report FY ended Dec. 31, 2016
>>>Business Report FY ended Dec. 31, 2017
>>>Business Report FY ended Dec. 31, 2018
>>>Business Report FY ended Dec. 31, 2019
>>>Business Report FY ended Dec. 31, 2020
>>>Business Report FY ended Dec. 31, 2021
>>>Business Report FY ended Dec. 31, 2022
>>>Business Report FY ended Dec. 31, 2023
NOK-Freudenberg Group China
>>>Business Report up until FY ended Dec. 2013
>>>Business Report up until FY ended Dec. 2015
Note: A figure in brackets ( ) indicates a loss