Freudenberg Nonwovens is expanding its adsorptives business segment by investing in new equipment. Four years after the opening of its Littleborough plant, the company continues to expand its U.K. business.

Materials from Freudenberg Nonwoven set global standards in the adsorptives segment. The company has three production plants in the U.K. Littleborough is the most recently established, with about 30 associates. Facilities at the plant cover all stages in the production of activated carbon materials and filters: coating, laminating conversion and finishing. These adsorptive materials have many applications for odor control including medical and ostomy products.

Freudenberg’s materials are also used in protective clothing such as chemical and biological personal protective equipment, air purification filters and odor control applications that include footwear, pet products, household deodorization products and specialist performance clothing. Liquid purification to remove contaminants is a new market segment for the business that is currently being developed. All adsorptive materials are subjected to thorough performance testing as part of ongoing research and development and this continues during production. Freudenberg products surpass the most stringent of needs in many diverse applications thanks to its long-term experience with all flexible materials and nonwoven textiles.

Following ground breaking in 2008 and the start of production in 2009, the Littleborough plant has achieved outstanding progress every year, according to the company. "We are continually investing in the latest manufacturing technology and laboratory equipment to make sure that we are well-positioned for the future," says Andrew Fisher, representing the adsorptives business in the U.K.

The Freudenberg Nonwovens business group has been active in the U.K., where it now employs almost 120 associates, since the 1950s. Nonwovens for hygiene applications, battery separators and adsorptives are produced at three plants in Swindon, Halifax and Littleborough.