[pageLogInLogOut]

#Nonwovens

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

By expanding its production, Freudenberg Apparel is significantly reducing lead times and offering its customers a cost advantage. Source: ©Freudenberg Performance Materials
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.

The expansion increases the facility’s manufacturing area from 40,000 to 60,000 square feet and introduces specialized production lines for 100% cotton interlinings and 100% polyester interlinings. These new lines especially enable local production of Chinese-equivalent polyester bi-elastic shirt and polyester woven interlinings, meeting rising demand for innovative, premium materials with faster delivery.

Significantly shorter lead times

Equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, the extended facility enhances quality assurance and accelerates production processes. Lead times for Indian manufacturers will be reduced from the 6–8 weeks needed for China imports to just 1–2 weeks with local production. Additionally, customers can expect a cost advantage compared to duty-paid imported goods.

“This expansion marks a milestone in our 27-year journey in India and in our role as a trusted partner in our customers’ growth. When our customers gain speed and margin, we all succeed”, says

CEO Dr. Andreas Raps. “This investment reflects our deep commitment to India’s apparel industry. By localizing production of our advanced bi-elastic shirt and polyester woven interlinings, we’re not only improving speed-to-market but also empowering Indian apparel manufacturers to compete more effectively on the global stage”, adds Jonathan Oh, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Global Apparel Division, Freudenberg Performance Materials. 

Support network for Indian textile industry

Since the company expanded into India in 1998, Freudenberg Apparel has developed a support network for the Indian textile industry, including technical solution studios in Chennai, Bangalore, and Gurgaon. These studios provide technical consultations, solution services, technical seminars, trend collection and mockups, interlining recommendation reports, and fusing press audits – services that complement the expanded manufacturing capabilities. 

The new production lines join existing paste dot, 3P printing, and powder dot printing capabilities at the Chennai facility, broadening the range of products that can be produced locally.

The expansion increases the facility’s manufacturing area from 40,000 to 60,000 square feet and introduces specialized production lines for 100% cotton interlinings and 100% polyester interlinings. These new lines especially enable local production of Chinese-equivalent polyester bi-elastic shirt and polyester woven interlinings, meeting rising demand for innovative, premium materials with faster delivery.

Significantly shorter lead times

Equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, the extended facility enhances quality assurance and accelerates production processes. Lead times for Indian manufacturers will be reduced from the 6–8 weeks needed for China imports to just 1–2 weeks with local production. Additionally, customers can expect a cost advantage compared to duty-paid imported goods.

“This expansion marks a milestone in our 27-year journey in India and in our role as a trusted partner in our customers’ growth. When our customers gain speed and margin, we all succeed”, says

CEO Dr. Andreas Raps. “This investment reflects our deep commitment to India’s apparel industry. By localizing production of our advanced bi-elastic shirt and polyester woven interlinings, we’re not only improving speed-to-market but also empowering Indian apparel manufacturers to compete more effectively on the global stage”, adds Jonathan Oh, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Global Apparel Division, Freudenberg Performance Materials. 

Support network for Indian textile industry

Since the company expanded into India in 1998, Freudenberg Apparel has developed a support network for the Indian textile industry, including technical solution studios in Chennai, Bangalore, and Gurgaon. These studios provide technical consultations, solution services, technical seminars, trend collection and mockups, interlining recommendation reports, and fusing press audits – services that complement the expanded manufacturing capabilities. 

The new production lines join existing paste dot, 3P printing, and powder dot printing capabilities at the Chennai facility, broadening the range of products that can be produced locally.



More News from Freudenberg Group

#Techtextil 2026

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.

#Nonwovens

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.

#Nonwovens

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.

#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

Freudenberg PM unveils versatile innovative fine denier spunbond nonwovens for applications in construction, filtration and coating

The unique fine filament nonwoven technology from Freudenberg Performance Materials (Freudenberg) is made from a wide variety of polymers and blends using mono or bico fibers. The high flexibility and broad customization options provide benefits in a wide range of markets and applications – from roofing membranes to liquid filtration, as well as specific applications such as dehumidification products and artificial turf.

More News on Nonwovens

#Nonwovens

EDANA launches landmark continence report to mark the start of the World Continence Week

Today marks the official commencement of the World Continence Week. To honour this global awareness initiative, EDANA has published a comprehensive report titled "The Central Role of Absorbent Hygiene Products in the Management of Adult Urinary Incontinence: Benefits, Costs and Environmental Impact." The World Continence Week (WCW) is an annual global initiative dedicated to raising public awareness about incontinence and bladder or bowel health issues. Traditionally held in June, this awareness week aims to shed light on a condition that affects millions of people worldwide but is frequently kept secret due to widespread social stigma, embarrassment, and taboo.

#Associations

Keeping products moving with Swedish automation at FILTECH 2026

At FILTECH 2026, taking place in Cologne from June 30th to July 2nd, members of TMAS – the Swedish textile machinery association – will highlight how the country’s engineering expertise is enabling filtration manufacturers to increase productivity, improve traceability and reduce dependence on labour-intensive manual processes.

#Technical Textiles

Cinte Techtextil China maps textile future with specialised zones and forward-looking fringe events

As global demand for high-performance materials evolves, Cinte Techtextil China is set to steer the industry’s next growth phase by driving the convergence of global expertise, specialised zones, and forward-looking tech and insights. Building on its diverse scope, the upcoming edition will especially spotlight critical sub-sectors such as Medtech & Protech, Indutech and Buildtech. The offering will be augmented by the well-received Mobiltech and Textile Chemicals and Dyes Zones, alongside the high-calibre German and European Zones. Beyond the booths, the fringe programme structured around four core pillars will chart a definitive roadmap for technical textiles and nonwovens.

Latest News

#Man-Made Fibers

ROICA™ launches new global brand identity and digital experience

ROICA™, the premium stretch fiber developed by Asahi Kasei, today announced the launch of its new global brand identity, including a new key visual and a fully redesigned website. This milestone initiative marks the beginning of a new phase in ROICA™’s evolution as a global brand.

#Associations

Mario Jorge Machado re-elected President of EURATEX

The EURATEX General Assembly has re-elected Mario Jorge Machado as President of EURATEX, renewing its confidence in his leadership at a crucial moment for the European textile and clothing industry. The sector is facing rising costs, global competitive pressure and an increasingly challenging transition towards sustainability and digitalisation.

#ITM 2026

ITM 2026 makes happy participants with its international and qualified visitor profile

ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition, one of the most prestigious meeting points of the textile machinery sector, attracted attention in its first three days, particularly with its diverse international visitor numbers. Industry professionals from all over the world had the opportunity to closely examine the latest technology machines and solutions displayed in operation. Thousands of visitors from approximately 100 countries, primarily Egypt, Pakistan, India, Uzbekistan, Syria, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, met at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center for new investment and cooperation opportunities.

#ITM 2026

KARL MAYER presents a textile TEXTRONIC® innovation at ITM 2026

With highly efficient machines and continuous textile innovations, KARL MAYER underscores its role as a reliable partner for discerning top-tier customers. Just in time for ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the industry leader is introducing a true innovation: an eyelash lace with its characteristic fringed look – combined with a previously unattainable 4-way stretch. While the established fabric could until now only be produced as rigid version or with one-dimensional stretch, the new elasticity in both dimensions expands the possibilities for cross-band panel fabrics.

TOP