History

The story of Freudenberg Nonwovens cannot be told without first paying tribute to the two pioneers in the field: Dr. Carl Ludwig Nottebohm and Dr. Ludwig Hartmann. Dr. Nottebohm did the groundbreaking work in the development of staple-fiber nonwovens, and is generally regarded as the "father" of Freudenberg´s first nonwoven product: the Vlieseline interlinings and the Vileda window cloth.

These products created quite a stir when they first hit the market way back in 1948. Thanks to continual enhancement they have remained extremely successful all over the world.

Dr. Ludwig Hartmann discovered his own cost efficient solution for the spunbonded nonwovens process. In Dr. Hartmann´s method, finished nonwovens are created from the basic chemical (granules) in a single, continuous production process. He can also claim credit for Freudenberg´s first commercially successful spunbonded nonwoven products: sticking plaster backings and Lutrabond tablecloth material, followed shortly thereafter by Lutradur polyester carpet backings.

 

  • 1936 Dr. Carl Nottebohm starts development of Nonwovens in Weinheim
  • 1948 Start of dry-laid staple fibre Nonwovens production, introduction of Vliesline garment interlinings and Vildea window cloth.
  • 1950 Joint Venture to produce dry-laid Nonwovens in USA (Pellon)
  • 1960 Joint Venture to produce dry-laid Nonwovens in Japan (Japan Vilene Company)
  • 1965 Introduction of spunbonded polyamide Nonwovens technology developed by Dr. Ludwig Hartmann.
  • 1973 Production start of wet-laid Nonwovens. Production start of polyester spundbond at new Kaiserslautern plant.
  • 1982 Production start of lightweight Polypropylene Nonwovens.
  • 1984 Start-up of the first non-European facility to produce polyester spunbonded Nonwovens in North Carolina (USA)
  • 1985 Acquisition of a leading producer of staple fibre Nonwovens in Brazil
  • 1988 Opening of a new research and development centre for staple fibre Nonwovens incorporation hydroentaglement technology in Weinheim
  • 1994 Joint Venture with our Japanese partner Japan Vilene Company to produce interlinings in Suzhou/China.
  • 1997 Merging of the Staple-Fibre and Spunbonded Nonwovens Business Groups. Formation of 6 divisions with global responsibilities.
  • 1998 The Italian company Marelli & Berta, a manufacturer of woven interlinings joins the Freudenberg Group.
  • 1999 Evolon, a new technological breakthrough. The first continuous microfibre spunlaced fabric with a large number of applications.
  • 2002 New Plant Concept: a 50 million investment to modernize and restructure the facilities in Europe and North America
  • 2006 Freudenberg Nonwovens acquires Scimat Ltd, Swindon/UK - the leading finisher of battery separators