Press Release
ContiTech
Compounding Technology
ContiTech Opens Compounding Center in China
 Key element in ongoing decentralization strategy of ContiTech
 Largest investment in the history of the Compounding Technology business unit
 Engineering Next Level: compounds are a key starting point for technological
innovations
Changshu, July 2015. With the start of its production facility for rubber compounds in Changshu,
ContiTech has reached another historic milestone on the Chinese market. "Today, a project that
has been in preparation for a long time reaches completion. With our new Compounding Center,
we are now also bringing our special materials expertise directly to the heart of this key market. It
is further evidence of our stable, local business growth. We want to continue to grow sustainably
on the Chinese market. We will achieve that only if we are where our customers are – directly in
their areas," explained Hans-Jürgen Duensing, CEO of ContiTech and Member of the Executive
Board of Continental AG, at the opening ceremony for the location in Changshu.
As one of the leading specialists worldwide, ContiTech Compounding Technology develops
compounds and sheeting for a wide range of industrial fields. Rubber-based product solutions are
used on construction sites, in trucks, cars, and trains, in mining, and in the food industry. Our wideranging knowledge and the ultra-modern technology employed for our meticulous production
controls guarantee the highest quality. "The challenges we overcome today with rubber
compounds owe a lot to our immense experience. We are now continuing this success story in
China," added Dr. Peter Scholtissek, head of the Compounding Technology business unit.
The plant is the first Compounding Center for general applications other than tires or conveyor
belts outside Europe. Until now, the company has produced rubber compounds for applications
such as drive belts, hoses, and car tires at its three plants in Germany and Hungary. At a total of
€10 million, it is one of the biggest investments in the history of the business unit. "In our 3,000
square meters of production space, we are also setting technological standards. The machinery on
the first production line is some of the most efficient in the whole of ContiTech," said Scholtissek.
Your contact:
Antje Lewe, phone: +49 511 938-1304
-2First to start operations is a compounding line with a capacity of 10,000 metric tons per year.
Furthermore, the company operates an extrusion line for high-tech compounds that produces one
metric ton of rubber compounds every hour. Internal ContiTech customers are being supplied at
first. "However, we have structured the plant in a way that will enable us to double our capacity in
the years to come," explained Scholtissek, describing the potential for expansion of the location. In
doing so, ContiTech is also drawing upon the knowledge and experience of Veyance Technologies
in China. At the start of 2015, ContiTech took over a small compounding facility as part of the
acquisition. "With this shared local expertise, we are now able to work even more quickly, more
specifically, and with a greater proportion of local raw materials to meet the needs and
requirements of the Chinese market. We also save valuable time and transport costs," said the
head of the business unit.
Starting point for technological innovations
The slogan for the opening ceremony of the Compounding Center was "High-level compounds for
excellent performance." It describes the special importance of rubber compounds for technological
innovations. Hardly any other material has the ability to be combined with so many different
substances to create an innovation. "Our compounds form the essential basis for numerous
applications in a wide array of industries," commented Scholtissek. The composition of the
ingredients also depends on which properties the product has to bring to the application. Should it
be hard or flexible? Should it be particularly resistant to aggressive substances? Will it be exposed
to UV radiation or salt water? Does it have to be resistant to high or low temperatures?
Depending on the requirements, the basic material of rubber – derived naturally or produced
synthetically – is therefore mixed with ingredients such as carbon black and sulfur, chalk, oil, and
wax. ContiTech watches carefully for effects on health and the environment during this process.
Thanks to its special technological expertise, the company is today able to produce compounds
free of lead, CFCs, mercury, and cadmium. The compounding lines with state-of-the-art mixing
technology also enable consistent quality of the compounds.
Your contact:
Antje Lewe, phone: +49 511 938-1304
-3The magic triangle of technical rubber development
"Our long-term objective is to offer our entire range of services locally. This also includes building
up research and development capacity in Changshu. Very specific skills are required for this.
That's why we talk about the magic triangle of technical rubber development," said Scholtissek,
characterizing the success factors in mixing technology. Right from the development of the
compounds, the experts conduct different tests in order to measure required properties such as
density, resistance to bending, ductility, adhesion, scratch resistance, tearing force, or tensile
strength. "To do this, they need chemists who understand how vulcanization processes work, right
down to the smallest detail, as well as technicians who can build and configure the systems. These
systems must ensure a high degree of accuracy with minimal tolerances. Process technicians
produce a homogeneous compound from a variety of different ingredients: from fluids of different
viscosities and from powdered materials in combination with elastic rubber. We have the
knowledge required for this within our company. It is now a matter of gradually building up this
knowledge in China, as our expertise in materials is a decisive factor in the lasting success of
ContiTech," explained Scholtissek.
Caption
Einweihung_Totale_DSC0024.jpg
€10 million Euro invest in China: Opening ceremony for the new compounding facility in Changshu,
China.
Photo: ContiTech
Your contact:
Antje Lewe, phone: +49 511 938-1304
-4Continental develops intelligent technologies for transporting people and their goods. As a reliable partner,
the international automotive supplier, tire manufacturer, and industrial partner provides sustainable, safe,
comfortable, individual, and affordable solutions. In 2014, the corporation generated sales of approximately
€34.5 billion with its five divisions, Chassis & Safety, Interior, Powertrain, Tire, and ContiTech. Continental
currently employs approximately 200,000 people in 53 countries.
The ContiTech division is one of the world's leading suppliers of technical elastomer products and is a
specialist in plastics technology. It develops and produces functional parts, components, and systems for
machine and plant engineering, mining, the automotive industry, and other important industries. Together
with U.S. company Veyance Technologies Inc., which was acquired at the beginning of 2015, ContiTech
generated sales of approximately €5.4 billion (pro forma basis) in 2014 and currently employs approximately
41,000 people in 34 countries worldwide.
Contact for journalists
Antje Lewe
Spokeswoman
Head of Media & Public Relations
ContiTech AG
Phone: +49 511 938-1304
Cell phone: +49 160 4767260
E-mail: antje.lewe@contitech.de
www.contitech.de
Kerstin Porsiel-Voges
Head of Communications
Benecke-Kaliko Group
ContiTech AG
Phone: +49 511 938-13321
E-mail: kerstin.porsiel@contitech.de
www.contitech.de
Li Che
Head of Communications, China
ContiTech Shanghai Rubber & Plastic
Technology Ltd.
22F Tian An Center, 338 Nanjing West Rd
200003 Shanghai, China
Phone: +86 21 6141 8324
Fax: +86 21 6141 8326
E-mail: li.che@contitech.cn
This press release is available in the following languages: German, English, Chinese
Links
Press releases and photos are available for download at www.contitech.de/press
Your contact:
Antje Lewe, phone: +49 511 938-1304