The Freudenberg Group in India successfully withstood the challenging economic conditions in the region in 2013. Compared with 2012, sales rose slightly to Rs1,128 crore (previous year: Rs1,114 crore). "We are investing steadily in this key market to which we are committed in the long-term. The solid development of Freudenberg Group companies in India will have a sustainable positive impact on the entire Group in the long-run," said Dr Jörg Matthias Grossmann, Regional Representative India of the Freudenberg Group and CFO of Freudenberg Chemical Specialities in Bangalore recently at a press conference.

In accordance with its long-term development strategy, Freudenberg continues to invest in the country. EagleBurgmann KE opened a new production facility in Chennai in March 2014. Answering the growing demand for fabric and metal expansion joints in India, the company invested Rs seven crore and started the manufacturing of one-stop solutions. Providing 6,500 sq m of space, production capacity at the site has doubled. In addition a new R&D facility of EagleBurgmann India, a joint venture of Freudenberg and Japanese EKK Group, was opened in Pune. The investment amounted to Rs nine crore.

Freudenberg's major investment in India is the production plant in Mysore operated by Klüber Lubrication and Chem-Trend. By 2016, when the project which covers an area of 40,400 sq m is scheduled for completion, a further 100 jobs will have been created. With a total investment of Rs135 crore the Mysore site will become a major technical centre of excellence for customers in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Rim.