Trelleborg expands sealing systems facility in China

Qingdao, China - Trelleborg’s marine and infrastructure operation has added a new manufacturing line to its facility in Qingdao to produce immersed tunnel sealing systems locally in China.

The plant now manufactures Trelleborg’s Gina gaskets, which are used to prevent water ingress for sectional elements of immersed tunnels. 

The expansion follows Trelleborg’s agreement with China Communications Construction Co. (CCCC) and Guangzhou Salvage in May to cooperate over a number of landmark projects in China, including China’s ShenZhong Link.

Billed as the world’s ‘largest and widest immersed tunnel’, the 24km link connects Shenzhen and Zhongshan in south eastern China. 

For the past 15 years, Trelleborg has designed and engineered its Gina gaskets at its Ridderkerk facility in The Netherlands. 

Moving forward, the company’s Qingdao facility will service the Chinese market, with Ridderkerk continuing to supply to other parts of the world.

“China is home to some of the largest and most demanding, and in some cases increasingly complex, infrastructure projects across the globe,” said Richard Hepworth, president of Trelleborg’s marine and infrastructure operation.

With the expansion, Hepworth added, Trelleborg is well-positioned to meet customer needs across the region “with feet on the ground”.

The new manufacturing line at Qingdao will be officially launched 14 Dec.

The facility also supports the operation’s marine fender, marine technology and infrastructure product areas across Chinese markets.