Freudenberg Presenting Sustainable Solutions

04.24.24

Technologies for automotive, building, apparel, filtration and packaging industries on display at Stand C29, Hall 12.2

Freudenberg Performance Materials (Freudenberg) is showcasing pioneering and sustainable solutions for the automotive, building, apparel, filtration and packaging industries at Techtextil.

As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of technical textiles, innovative solutions from Freudenberg help the automotive industry become more sustainable. One innovation highlight at Techtextil is a novel polyester nonwoven material for car seat padding. Also available as a nonwoven composite with PU foam, it is not only easier for car seat manufacturers to handle during the mounting process, but also ensures better dimensional stability as well as providing soft and flexible padding. The material is single origin and has low volatile organic compounds (VOC), ensuring a lower environmental impact. It also has a minimum 25% recycled content, for example, by reusing nonwoven clippings and waste, and is fully recyclable. Full supply chain transparency enables customers to easily trace and verify the content of the nonwoven and thus ensures a responsible production process. The Freudenberg experts will also be presenting several other nonwoven solutions made of up to 80% recycled materials that can be used in car seat manufacturing.

As part of its commitment to sustainable building concepts, Freudenberg is showcasing a sustainable carrier material for green roofs on urban buildings at the trade fair. The carrier is made from polylactide, i.e. from renewable resources. When filled with soil, it provides a strong foothold to root systems, enabling the growth of lightweight sedum blankets that can be rolled out to provide instant green roofs. These roofs not only help counter urban heat, they also improve stormwater management and regulate indoor temperatures.

Freudenberg continues to promote the circular economy in the textile industry with several new solutions. For example, the company extended its circular thermal wadding product range with the release of comfortemp HO 80xR circular, a wadding made from 70% recycled polyamide from discarded fishing nets, carpet flooring and industrial plastic. Because polyamide 6, also known as nylon, retains its performance characteristics after multiple recycling processes, the fibers can be used again and again to manufacture performance sporting apparel, leisurewear and luxury garments. Just recently, Freudenberg contributed another innovative thermal insulation to the first parka made from 100% recycled used clothing. This was made possible by loopamid, a new nylon fiber developed by BASF that simplifies textile-to-textile recycling for nylon garments.

Freudenberg is also showcasing products for sustainable packaging and filtration solutions. The long-lasting Evolon technical packaging series is a substitute for disposable packaging used in the transport of sensitive industrial items such as automotive parts. The material is made from up to 85% recycled PET. A further highlight at Techtextil are Freudenberg’s fully bio-based solutions for manufacturing desiccant bags. The binder-free material based on bio-fibers is also industrially compostable.

In addition, the experts will be giving trade fair visitors an insight into Freudenberg’s Filtura portfolio. The innovative Air Pollution Control (APC) filtration bags made from hydroentangled microfilament material for industrial filtration are not only lightweight, but also offer customers a high filtration performance and trouble-free filter cleaning.