#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2022-11-23

Freudenberg Performance Materials Apparel completes rooftop photovoltaic coverage at Nantong factory

Freudenberg Performance Materials Apparel (Freudenberg) has completed the installation of 13,000m2 of photovoltaic panels on the roof of its Nantong factory. Through the use of renewable energy, Freudenberg is making meaningful changes to support sustainability across the seasons. In addition to solar energy generation, other green initiatives at the factory include innovations that increase energy savings, mitigate emissions, and reduce waste. Alongside its House of Sustainability, these represent Freudenberg’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

Nantong factory photovoltaic installation

Freudenberg is dedicated to sustainability and has integrated sustainable development into its business activities at all levels. By 2025, Freudenberg is committed to reducing its CO2 emissions by 25%. To meet this ambitious goal, the Group’s new factory in the Nantong Economic and Technological Development Area has been designed with sustainable practice at its core.

Freudenberg recently completed the installation of 13,000m2 of photovoltaic cells on the roof of its new Nantong factory. With a total capacity of 1.6 MW, the new rooftop installation is projected to produce 1.5 million kWh of green electricity each year. In addition to reduced energy consumption from the grid, this new installation will lower CO2 emissions by approximately 1,200 tons/year.

Sustainability initiatives at the Nantong factory

Beyond the photovoltaic installation, Freudenberg has integrated sustainability into the Nantong factory’s design, with advances in energy conservation and emissions and loss reduction.

The factory uses valley voltage to cool water in its reservoir that is applied to A/C and machine temperature management during working hours. The new waste gas treatment technology enables hot water collected by heat exchangers to be directly reused in production, thereby reducing thermal energy waste. Furthermore, the factory applies a new multi-phase waste gas treatment technology to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions. The factory has also incorporated new methods to improve the A-grade rates of bi-elastic interlinings and shirt interlinings, further reducing waste while improving garment quality.

Jonathan Oh, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Freudenberg Performance Materials Apparel, said, “At Freudenberg, we are deeply committed to advancing sustainable initiatives and leading the development of the apparel industry. The completion of our rooftop photovoltaic project means we can leverage our space to generate electricity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Through a range of innovative measures in the factory, we are able to meaningfully reduce energy and water usage while improving overall efficiency and delivering ultimate performance from sustainably-produced products.”

An ongoing commitment

As part of the Group’s sustainable development strategy, Freudenberg Apparel has also launched its House of Sustainability to minimize the impact of production processes on the environment and help customers achieve their sustainability goals, with responsible products across the seasons.

Offering over 500 sustainable solutions with innovative materials and processes, Freudenberg is leading the apparel industry towards greater environmental stewardship.

Freudenberg will continue to serve as a responsible company for customers and society. This new factory not only meets Freudenberg’s highest standards across production, innovation and sustainability, but also follows the Group’s sustainable development strategy to minimize its environmental footprint from production, providing customers with excellent, responsibly-made products and solutions.

Freudenberg Performance Materials presents Mehlerheytex and Filc at Techtextil 2026

Freudenberg Performance Materials will showcase textile innovations that increase efficiency, performance and sustainability in industry and mobility at Techtextil 2026. For the first time since the merger of Mehler Texnologies and Heytex, the MehlerHeytex brand will make its debut as a leading expert in coated technical textiles. Moreover, Freudenberg Performance Materials Filc (Filc), specialist for advanced needlepunch nonwovens and laminated materials, will present its groundbreaking solutions for automotive applications. Filc customers can benefit from the perfect combination of functionality, comfort and sustainability. The Freudenberg Performance Materials experts are looking forward to welcoming visitors to the trade fair at Stand A11 in Hall 11.0 from April 21 – 24, 2026.

Freudenberg accelerates local production for apparel market by expanding its site in India

Freudenberg Performance Materials Apparel (Freudenberg Apparel) celebrates the grand opening of a major expansion at its manufacturing facility in Chennai, India, on October 14, adding 20,000 square feet of production space and introducing new production lines tailored to the Indian apparel market. This strategic investment is aimed at significantly reducing lead times and enhancing the availability of high-quality, locally produced interlinings for the fast-evolving apparel sector in India and South Asia.

Freudenberg Performance Materials publishes first Sustainability Report

With the publication of its first sustainability report, Freudenberg Performance Materials has reached a major milestone on its path toward greater environmental responsibility and corporate transparency. Until now, information about the company’s sustainability performance was only included in the sustainability report of its parent company, the Freudenberg Group. The newly released report, however, focuses specifically on the business of technical textiles.

Freudenberg to exhibit for the first time at CAMX 2025

Freudenberg Performance Materials (Freudenberg) will be exhibiting for the first time at CAMX 2025 in Orlando, Florida, from September 9-11. This presence is a strong signal from the leading global supplier of technical textiles to support the North American composites industry with high-performance surfacing veils, flow media and spacers. Visitors can meet Freudenberg experts at booth D69 on the show floor.

C&S strengthens its governance to support its evolution

C&S announces the appointment of Marco Lucietti to its Board of Directors. With extensive international experience across the textile and denim industries, Lucietti will work alongside CEO Federico Corneli, contributing to the company’s managerial development, organizational structure and long-term strategic direction.

Carrington Textiles publishes third Sustainability Report

Carrington Textiles has announced the publication of the third Sustainability Report from the RTS Textiles Group, highlighting another year of progress towards more responsible manufacturing across its global operations. The report outlines continued investment in technologies and initiatives designed to improve environmental performance and support long-term business resilience across the Group’s manufacturing facilities in the UK, Portugal and Pakistan.

YKK develops concept EXCELLA® zipper tape using nonwoven fabric partially derived from used clothing

YKK Corporation has developed a concept version of its premium EXCELLA® zipper series made from nonwoven fabric sheets created by fiberizing used clothing and other textile materials. Based on a proposal by fashion designer Yuima Nakazato, this item was created as a result of collaboration between Nakazato, Seiko Epson Corporation and YKK. The concept zipper was incorporated as a material component for pieces in the newest YUIMA NAKAZATO Couture Collection, “INFERNO,” which was unveiled in Paris, France on July 8, 2026.

Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris highlights evolving global sourcing landscape

From 31 August to 2 September 2026, Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris will bring together more than 1,000 international exhibitors at Paris-Le Bourget Exhibition Centre. This edition reflects the new global balance of textile and apparel sourcing, highlighting a strong diversity of sourcing countries — some unexpected.

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.