中文

Closing completed: Freudenberg Apollo Filtration Technologies starts in China

2019-04-01

Joint venture between Apollo Air-cleaner Co., Ltd. and Freudenberg Filtration Technologies in China established 
Shanghai, April 1, 2019: The Freudenberg Apollo Filtration Technologies joint venture is officially launched in China with immediate effect. In December 2018, Apollo Trading Corporation’s (Japan) subsidiary, Apollo ZhanMao Technologies (Hong Kong), and the global technology group Freudenberg (Germany) have signed a contract to establish this joint venture in China. The basis of this joint venture is Apollo Air-cleaner Co., Ltd. In the meantime, the Chinese antitrust authorities have approved the transaction. Apollo Air-cleaner Co., Ltd. is a leading provider of air and water filtration solutions in China. In 2017, Apollo generated sales of 750 million RMB (approximately 96 million EUR) with approximately 1,000 employees. Freudenberg Filtration Technologies is contributing its existing business with applications for room air filtration to the new joint venture.  

Background: 
Air and water filtration solutions are enjoying strong year-on-year growth rates, especially in China, thanks to legislation demanding stricter regulations and increased environmental awareness. Experts estimate that the global market for products of Apollo – filters for room air purifiers, decentralized ventilation systems and water treatment – will have a total value of some 5 billion USD by the year 2022.

“Bundling the two companies will strengthen our market position and provide our customers with an even broader portfolio of innovative filtration solutions for cleaner air and water,” says Dr. Mohsen Sohi, Freudenberg Group CEO. 

The product solutions of Apollo keep air or drinking water free of (ultra) fine particles, dangerous gases, odors and microorganisms and protect health. China’s rapid growth has made improving air and water quality one of the biggest challenges facing the country and topics such as sustainability along with environmental protection and health safety are becoming ever more important.   

“Apollo is a great fit for Freudenberg,” says Dr. Andreas Kreuter, CEO of Freudenberg Filtration Technologies. “It is an innovative technology company that complements our own portfolio of filtration solutions for indoor air and water purification. The company also has first class production expertise and excellent networks in the industry.”

At its production site in Shunde, China, the company has established high standards for product quality, process efficiency and workplace safety; in both 2017 and 2018, Apollo was ranked a top 500 manufacturing enterprise in Guangdong province. The company is certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, TS 16949, and has received the Laboratory Accreditation Certification by the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS).

Manufacturing, R&D and Customer Services at both Freudenberg Filtration Technologies and Apollo will benefit from the transaction. Main examples are the complementary competencies in filter media and gas filtration, which is growing ever more important. 

“The joint venture with Freudenberg will further improve Apollo’s future growth prospects, not only in China, but also globally. Our customers will clearly benefit from combined development capabilities and a stronger production network,” says Akihisa Yamamoto, CEO of Apollo Trading Group. 


About Apollo Air-cleaner
Apollo Air-cleaner Co., Ltd. develops and manufacturers air and water purification products. The company provides filtration solutions for a variety of applications, for example for air-conditioners, refrigerators, room air purifiers, vacuum cleaners, automobiles, kitchen facilities, humidifiers, HVAC equipment, medical purifiers, water purifiers, printers and copy machines. The company was founded in July 2000. In 2017, it reached sales of 750 million RMB (approximately 96 million EUR) and employed some 1,000 people. 


About Freudenberg Filtration Technologies
As a global technology leader in air and liquid filtration, Freudenberg Filtration Technologies develops and produces high-performance, energy-efficient filtration solutions which improve the efficiency of industrial processes, conserve resources, protect people and the environment and thus enhance the quality of life. With its Viledon and micronAir global brands, Freudenberg Filtration Technologies offers customers innovative filter elements and systems for the energy and resources, hygiene and health, automobile and transport, production and building technology sectors, and for highly-specialized applications. In 2017, Freudenberg Filtration Technologies generated sales of around 423 million EUR and employed almost 2,100 people. www.freudenberg-filter.com


Freudenberg Filtration Technologies is a Freudenberg Business Group 
Freudenberg is a global technology group that strengthens its customers and society long-term through forward-looking innovations. Together with its partners, customers and research institutions, the Freudenberg Group develops leading-edge technologies and excellent products and services for 40 markets and for thousands of applications: seals, vibration control components, technical textiles, filters, specialty chemicals, medical products and the most modern cleaning products. 
Strength of innovation, strong customer orientation, diversity, and team spirit are the cornerstones of the Group. The 170-year-old company holds strong to its core values: a commitment to excellence, reliability and pro-active, responsible action. 
In 2017, the Freudenberg Group employed approximately 48,000 people in some 60 countries worldwide and generated sales of more than 9.3 billion EUR. For more information, please visit www.freudenberg.com