Freudenberg Sealing Technologies opens new automotive parts plant in Spain

Parets del Valles, Spain - Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) has inaugurated a new production facility in Parets del Valles, near Barcelona, for the manufacture of automotive components.

The €11-million new plant replaces FST’s existing factory at the same location, improving capacity of the facility by 15%, the German manufacturer announced 15 Feb.

The unit, spanning 6,800 square metres, will be home to 171 employees and will increase production capacity for shock absorbers and steering components.

The original site was established in 1973, where FST has been producing damper seals from the start.

Around 80% of the production volume is for consumption in Europe, mainly Spain, Poland and Germany. The remaining part goes to America and Asia, FST said.

The new “fully carbon-neutral plant” has been designed to prioritise sustainability and climate protection, with all systems powered entirely by green electricity.

According to FST, 25% of the electricity consumed by the plant comes directly from photovoltaics on the roof.

The unit also employs an “energy-efficient and eco-conscious cleaning technique” for exhaust air from coating processes through microorganisms.

These metabolise the hydrocarbons in the solvents into water and CO2, eliminating the need for an additional heating medium, i.e. no gas has to be burned to purify the exhaust air.

“This is a highly innovative plant that is carbon-neutral, thus aligning with both present and future automotive industry standards,” said Carlos Arnau Calduc, VP and responsible for the site.