Freudenberg

What Freudenberg does

Freudenberg is a privately-held, family-owned global technology group founded in 1849 and headquartered in Weinheim, Germany, operating under continuous Freudenberg family ownership through the legal entity Freudenberg SE. The group operates nine business groups across approximately 40 market segments and 60 countries, employing over 51,000 people spanning 147 nationalities. Its product portfolio spans advanced sealing solutions (Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, Freudenberg Flow Technologies/EagleBurgmann), automotive NVH components (Vibracoustic), technical textiles and filtration (Freudenberg Performance Materials, Freudenberg Filtration Technologies, Japan Vilene Company), specialty chemicals and lubricants (Freudenberg Chemical Specialities with brands Klüber Lubrication, Chem-Trend, SurTec, OKS, Capol), medical device components (Freudenberg Medical), and household and professional cleaning solutions (Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions with brands Vileda, O-Cedar, Oates, Gimi, Gala, Wettex, Marigold, Vermop, plus the recently acquired Nilfisk).

The technological foundation is deep materials science expertise in elastomers, thermoplastics, lubricants, and specialty chemicals, applied across demanding industrial applications in electric mobility, renewable energy, automotive, medical devices, and industrial manufacturing. The group invested €579.5M in R&D in FY2025 (approximately 5% of sales), with 31.5% of FY2025 sales derived from products launched less than 4 years ago. Acquisitions completed in 2025-2026 added offshore energy systems (Balmoral Comtec), professional cleaning equipment (Nilfisk, with €996.3M FY2025 revenue), and food ingredients (Blue Pacific Flavors), while the company is concurrently winding down North American battery operations (XALT Energy) following contract termination by LG Energy Solution.

Freudenberg generates revenue primarily through direct B2B hardware sales to enterprise industrial customers across automotive, energy, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors, supplemented by retail distribution of consumer cleaning brands. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, reflecting custom-engineered component sales. FY2025 consolidated revenue was €11.73 billion with operating profit of €1.09 billion and a 57.1% equity ratio, against a backdrop of slight organic decline offset by active M&A-led expansion. As a private family-owned enterprise, Freudenberg operates without short-term market pressures and emphasizes long-term R&D continuity, including a €200M AI investment commitment through 2028.

Name

Freudenberg

Legal name

Freudenberg SE

Website

https://freudenberg.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1849

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Freudenberg is a privately-held, family-owned German global technology group founded in 1849, operating nine business groups across sealing technologies, NVH solutions, technical textiles, filtration, specialty chemicals, medical devices, and household and professional cleaning solutions, serving industrial OEMs and consumers across 60 countries with €11.73 billion in FY2025 revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Diversified Industrial Technology

NAICS

Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561), Polish and Other Sanitation Good Manufacturing (325612), Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities (33281)

SIC

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841), Soap, Detergents, Cleang Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics (2840), Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)

akta.pro primary industry

Medical & Hygiene Technical Textiles (Gauze/Drapes/Wipes/Barrier Fabrics) (IMAOADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bath & Kitchen Linen Manufacturing (Towels/Washcloths/Bathmats/Dish Towels) (IMAOAKAB), Medical & Pharmaceutical Thermoformed Packaging (IMANAHAB)

Keywords

• Sealing technologies
• Industrial filtration products
• Specialty chemicals lubricants
• Medical device components
• Cleaning solutions equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Weinheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Seals and Vibration Control Products: Sales of advanced sealing solutions and NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) components primarily to automotive, industrial manufacturing, and energy sectors
2. Filtration Products: Air and liquid filtration solutions for industrial, commercial, and residential applications
3. Technical Textiles and Performance Materials: Technical textiles and nonwoven materials for automotive, construction, healthcare, and industrial applications
4. Specialty Chemicals: Specialty chemicals including lubricants, release agents, and surface treatment products
5. Home and Cleaning Solutions: Consumer cleaning products and professional cleaning equipment under brands including Vileda, O-Cedar, and through Nilfisk acquisition
6. Medical Technology Products: Medical device components, precision parts, and pharmaceutical solutions

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Freudenberg develops and manufactures engineered industrial products built on proprietary materials science, organized across nine business groups: advanced sealing solutions and NVH components for automotive and industrial use (Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, Vibracoustic, Freudenberg Flow Technologies/EagleBurgmann); technical textiles and filtration media (Freudenberg Performance Materials, Freudenberg Filtration Technologies, Japan Vilene); specialty chemicals including lubricants, release agents, and surface treatments (Freudenberg Chemical Specialities with Klüber, Chem-Trend, SurTec, OKS, Capol); medical device components and catheter solutions (Freudenberg Medical); and household and professional cleaning products and equipment (Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions with Vileda, O-Cedar, and the acquired Nilfisk brand).

Product overview

Freudenberg is a global technology group organized into nine distinct business groups serving B2B and select B2C markets. The portfolio includes advanced sealing technologies (Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, Freudenberg Flow Technologies/EagleBurgmann), automotive NVH solutions (Vibracoustic), technical textiles and filtration (Freudenberg Performance Materials, Freudenberg Filtration Technologies, Japan Vilene Company), household and professional cleaning solutions (Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions with brands including Vileda, O-Cedar, Oates, Gimi, Gala, Wettex, Vermop, Marigold), specialty chemicals (Freudenberg Chemical Specialities with Kluber Lubrication, Chem-Trend, SurTec, Capol brands), and medical technology (Freudenberg Medical). The group also completed major acquisitions in 2025-2026 including Nilfisk (professional cleaning equipment), Balmoral Comtec (offshore energy systems), and Blue Pacific Flavors (food ingredients). Freudenberg operates in approximately 40 market segments across 60 countries with 51,000 employees and EUR11.7 billion in annual sales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Vileda: Household cleaning brand for manual cleaning systems
• Vileda Professional
• O-Cedar
• Oates
• Gimi
• Gala
• Wettex
• Marigold
• Vermop
• Klüber Lubrication
• Chem-Trend
• SurTec
• Capol
• OKS
• EagleBurgmann
• XALT Energy

Products and services

• Freudenberg Sealing Technologies

Quantifiable outcome

• 31.5% of sales from products launched less than 4 years ago
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Balmoral ComteccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2026Freudenberg Flow Technologies acquired Balmoral Comtec, a Scotland-based supplier of offshore buoyancy, cable protection, and thermal insulation systems. The acquisition strengthens Freudenberg's Connectors and Sealing Solutions business unit in subsea protection and energy-transition infrastructure markets, adding approximately 400 employees across three UK locations.
• Blue Pacific FlavorscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Capol, a business unit of Freudenberg Group, acquired Blue Pacific Flavors, a US-based pioneer in natural and organic flavor systems. The acquisition creates a global food ingredients platform spanning North America, Europe, and Asia, combining Blue Pacific's expertise in beverages and clean-label flavor innovation with Capol's confectionery coatings capabilities. Blue Pacific's management team including CEO Donald Wilkes remains in place.
• Nilfisk Holding A/SflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFreudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions GmbH completed voluntary takeover of Nilfisk Holding A/S, acquiring 94.47% of share capital. The acquisition brings together FHCS's strength in manual cleaning systems with Nilfisk's technology leadership in professional cleaning machines, creating a uniquely positioned provider across the professional cleaning market. Nilfisk will be delisted from Nasdaq Copenhagen and undergo compulsory acquisition of remaining shares.

Scale indicators21 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Trelleborg AB: Swedish engineered polymer specialist with leading positions in industrial sealing, antivibration, and coated fabrics. Highly comparable to Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, Vibracoustic, and Freudenberg Performance Materials in rubber/elastomer technologies and B2B industrial customer base.
• Parker Hannifin: US motion and control technologies leader with direct overlap in industrial sealing, filtration, and fluid handling. Comparable business model, end-markets (industrial, aerospace, energy), and emphasis on engineered components.
• Henkel AG: German family-influenced industrial and consumer company with strong adhesives, sealants, and laundry/home-care businesses. Comparable to Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions (Vileda, O-Cedar, Nilfisk) and to specialty chemicals like Chem-Trend and SurTec.
• Mann+Hummel: Privately held German filtration specialist serving automotive and industrial applications. Closely comparable to Freudenberg Filtration Technologies in product range, customer overlap, and family-owned operating model.
• Sika AG: Swiss specialty chemicals company focused on sealants, adhesives, and concrete admixtures for construction and industry. Comparable to Freudenberg Chemical Specialities and to specialty sealing/adhesive offerings within Freudenberg Flow Technologies.

Broad incumbents

• BASF SE: World's largest chemical company with broad specialty and industrial chemical portfolio. Comparable as a German industrial chemicals giant, though BASF is far larger and more commodity-exposed; relevant reference for Freudenberg Chemical Specialities positioning.
• Continental AG: German automotive supplier with strong rubber/polymer and NVH capabilities overlapping with Vibracoustic and Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, though Continental is much larger and more focused on tires and automotive electronics.
• 3M Company: US diversified industrial conglomerate with materials science roots across filtration, adhesives, abrasives, and specialty chemicals. Comparable diversified-portfolio structure and B2B industrial customer model, though 3M is much larger and US-listed.
• Illinois Tool Works: US diversified industrial manufacturer operating a decentralized federation of specialty businesses. Comparable operating philosophy and end-market exposure to Freudenberg's decentralized business group structure, though with more US-centric operations.
• SKF Group: Swedish industrial leader in bearings, seals, and lubrication systems serving automotive and industrial markets. Comparable to Freudenberg Sealing Technologies and Klüber Lubrication in industrial rotating-equipment customers and sealing/lubrication technology overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/freudenberg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/freudenberggroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/freudenberggroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/freudenberg-group
• Instagraminstagram.com/freudenberg.group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Freudenberg