ContiTech to stop producing industrial rollers and sleeves

Hanover, Germany – ContiTech is to “cease its business” in rollers and sleeves for industrial, including printing, applications by the yearend, parent group Continental announced 9 Sept.

The decision, said the German group, was due to ”competitive and cost” pressures that have persisted in the market for a number of years.

“The ongoing strained economic situation in the sector prompted management to take this decision,” stated Continental, adding that it had explored alternative options.

A cost-cutting programme initiated in 2021 did not bring the hoped-for business turnaround in the product segment, the statement further pointed out.

Around 20 employees will be affected by closure of the rollers & sleeves operation at the Waltershausen site, where Continental employs around 1,000 people.

"We regret this economically necessary step," says Andreas Bakenhus, head of the Continental ‘elastomer coatings’ business segment in the EMEA region.

"Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, the headwinds from the difficult market environment were too strong," added Bakenhus.

Continental went on to emphasise that the closure would not impact its supply of other products to the printing industry, including offset printing blankets."