Benecke-Kaliko breaks ground for new interior surface solutions plant in China

Benecke-Kaliko, a business unit of ContiTech AG, had the ground-breaking ceremony for its new plant in Changzhou, China today.

Benecke-Changshun ECO Trim, a joint venture between Benecke-Kaliko and its Chinese partner Jiangsu Changshun Group Co, will manufacture the environment-friendly, low-emission and allergen-free automotive trim material Acella Eco at the new site. This is a result of growing demand from the Chinese automotive industry for eco-optimized surface solutions from Benecke-Changshun that ensure the stringent legislation pertaining to air quality of vehicle cockpits is achieved.

Series production will start at the end of this year as the first orders have already been secured. At full capacity in Changzhou, the operation is capable of producing 10 million square metres of Acella Eco products on an annual basis. “This represents a 100 percent increase in our capacity in China,” said Leiss.

“The construction of the new site in Changzhou also represents an important cornerstone of our self-image in terms of sustainability, environmental responsibility and innovation leadership,” says Dr. Ralf Cramer, member of the Executive Board of Continental AG, President & CEO of Continental China.

Benecke-Kaliko is investing nearly 40 million euros (Rs 305 crore) – its largest ever –  in the construction of the 24,000 square metre plant for phase 1.

“Our customers in the Chinese automotive market are turning more and more to sustainable, green products – the new emissions legislation for car interiors has major influence on this movement, but the active effort of society to take care for human health is also a key motivating influence factor,” said Dr. Dirk Leiss, chairman of the Executive Board of Benecke-Kaliko AG. “We have been developing low-odour and low-emission surface solutions and measuring pollutants in vehicles for decades. In building the new plant, we are now making our expertise available to our business partners locally in China as well,” he added.

What is Acella Eco?
Benecke-Kaliko says Acella Eco is an environmentally friendly product that lends to good air quality in vehicle interior cockpits. Only water-based paints are used in the production of Acella Eco surface material, which is one of the essential elements needed to achieve the lowest possible emission level within the material and guarantees environmental friendly production. Acella Eco is suitable for long-term direct contact with the skin and does not contain antimony or any heavy metals. Its applications include vehicle seats, door trim, and decorative surfaces.