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Continental has opened Phase III of its Changzhou facility, increasing production capacity to 35 million m² of eco-friendly materials and targeting carbon neutrality by 2030.
Date: October 28, 2024
Changzhou, China- Continental's Surface Solutions division, part of the ContiTech group, has officially opened Phase III of its Benecke Changshun Eco Trim (Changzhou) Co., Ltd. This expansion underscores Continental's commitment to green and intelligent production while enhancing its localization strategy, "In the market, for the market," to meet the rising demand for sustainable automotive interior materials in China and the Asia-Pacific region.
The expansion adds about 12,000 m² of plant buildings, 3,250 m² of raw material warehouses, and 1,500 m² of auxiliary facilities, utilizing existing land and an additional 9.2 mu (approximately 6,000 m²). Additionally, 1,000 m² of the existing plant has been renovated. Phase III will increase annual capacity by 13 million m² of high-performance composite surface materials, raising the total expected capacity to 35 million m².
Mr. Wolfgang Thomale, Head of Surface Solutions business area at Continental, said, "We are thrilled to witness the successful opening of the Changzhou Phase III expansion. It serves as a tangible milestone in the fulfillment of Continental’s sustainability strategy and also embodies ContiTech’s commitment to a customer-centric approach. The surging popularity of electric vehicles in China has led to growing demand for environment-friendly and diverse interior materials to meet changing consumer preferences. We will therefore continue to strengthen our R&D expertise, take our operational excellence to another new level and expand our market presence in China. We are committed to delivering superior environment-friendly surface material solutions to automotive customers in China and across the Asia-Pacific region."
Continental targets carbon-neutral production by 2040 and full carbon neutrality by 2050. The Changzhou plant aims for complete carbon neutrality by 2030, utilizing advanced energy-saving technologies, rooftop solar panels, and improved wastewater recycling. These initiatives will cut annual natural gas consumption by 1.7 million cubic meters, reduce CO2 emissions by 4,247 tons, and lower hazardous waste by 30%. The facility has achieved LEED Gold certification.
The Phase III plant also features smart production facilities, including automated defect detection, Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), and delivery robots, enhancing efficiency and product quality.
Mr. Enno Tang, president and CEO of Continental China, said, "Continental has been rapidly developing in China for over 30 years. The phase III at our Changzhou plant marks another significant milestone in Continental's journey in China. It not only signifies an expansion in our capacity and scale but also further deepens our localization strategy of ‘In the market, for the market’. With the launch of the new production line, we are now able to respond more swiftly to the needs of our local customers. Additionally, we are continuously enhancing our Industrial 4.0 capabilities and green production practices, upgrading lean manufacturing processes to provide high-quality products to the Chinese market. Guided by our vision of ‘Creating value for a better tomorrow’, we will continually enhance our local intelligent production and R&D innovation capabilities, thereby actively promoting the development of smart and green mobility in China."
Continental's Acella surface brand is a trusted eco-friendly solution in automotive interiors. With innovative staynu technology, Acella offers stain resistance and incorporates up to 30% recycled PET plastic bottles. Since 2014, the Changzhou plant has produced 150 million square meters of Acella materials, showcasing strong growth in the market.
