Environmental impact and prevention strategy

The raw materials and processes used to manufacture products have a varying impact on the environment and the workplace. At Freudenberg, processes for making nonwovens and rubber products play the largest role.

It is a fundamental principle in the Freudenberg Group to avoid using critical materials where possible. If their use is unavoidable to comply with technical specifications, special precautions must be taken. Risk assessment for the various materials differs from country to country. Freudenberg has therefore developed an approach that satisfies the company’s own standards as well as meeting local market requirements. A list of substances has been drawn up and is available to development engineers and chemicals safety experts worldwide via the intranet.

In 2003, many sites again gave high priority to using non-critical substances only. This is an important aspect of sustainable development in the Freudenberg Group. The network set up by the “Safe Materials” HSE Group will reinforce this process.