Filters in the fight against smog

Shanghai, December 10, 2012. A dirty-grey mist smothers Shanghai City – the same sight today as everyday recently. For more than a week, around one hundred Chinese towns have been shrouded in smog. The fine particle standard established by the World Health Organization stands at 75 mg pro cubic meter. Last week Shanghai reached an all-time high of 600 mg pro cubic meter. Schools, motorways and airports had to be temporarily shut. So how will people living in China’s mega cities be able to breathe easily again?

For days now, Hua Li’s telephone has been ringing constantly. Li is the General Manager at Vilene Filter – and the Chinese are keen to make use of his know-how, seeking his advice on better air quality. “We have to deal with the problem at its roots. For example, filter systems should be installed at production plants and cars equipped with air cabin filters,” explains Li. “Filters offer protection to people from fine particles and pollutants in the air.

Innovative filter solutions for better air quality
Chinese consumers have long valued the expertise of the Freudenberg Group Filtration Technologies business area. At production plants, filers not only make a key contribution to health and safety but also to process optimization and product quality. For example, Freudenberg filters at paint shops prevent painted surfaces from being contaminated by dust and also keep the air suitable for breathing. Two out of three new production cars feature cabin air filters from Freudenberg. In addition, air intake filters for engines improve engine efficiency. A comprehensive portfolio of filters for room and cleaners completes the product range.

“We’re all pulling together here – to be able to breathe easily again. I’m certain that we’ll be able to make an important contribution with our filter solutions,” says Hua Li. Freudenberg Filtration Technologies has five locations in China. At Chengdu, Freudenberg invested CNY 36 million in a new plant to meet the growing demand for automobile filters in Western China. “From Chengdu, we are supplying highly advanced filtration technology to the growing automobile industry in the region, including companies such as Volkswagen and Geely Volvo”, explained Hua Li, General Manager of Freudenberg Vilene Filter. “Thanks to this investment, we will be able to supply our local customers even faster and more efficiently.” Other facilities are located in Suzhou, Changchun, Guangzhou and Beijing.