Japan Vilene Company

What Japan Vilene Company does

Japan Vilene Company, Ltd. is a Tokyo-based nonwoven fabric manufacturer founded in 1960, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Germany's Freudenberg SE since February 2026 following Toray Industries' exit from the prior joint venture. The company designs and produces a diversified nonwoven fabric portfolio spanning air filtration products (Viledon, Firopanel, Mushitorufa, Filomatik brands), medical and healthcare materials (transdermal patch backings, angiography kits, surgical drapes, N95 respirators, adhesive absorbent sheets), battery separators (nickel-metal hydride for hybrid vehicles since 1997, high-heat-resistant lithium-ion, fuel cell gas diffusion layers), automotive interior materials, membrane backings for water treatment, industrial anti-static cloths, and apparel interlinings. Underlying capabilities include proprietary ultra-fine split fiber technology (3-5 μm electret fibers), ultra-thin wet-laid nonwoven processes producing fabrics below 10 g/m², conductive polymer in-situ formation for antistatic performance, multiple hydrophilic treatment methods, and patented insect-filter sealing mechanisms with documented >90% collection rates against 1-2 mm insects.

The business model is direct B2B sales organized by product division (General Industry, Automotive, Medical, Energy, Air Conditioning, Apparel), with quote-based pricing and multi-year contracts. No third-party resellers or distributors are used; customers engage through dedicated inquiry forms covering end users, distributors, design firms, and suppliers. The company employs 1,001-5,000 staff and maintains global product trade dress through exhibition presence at CPHI & PMEC China, CIIE Shanghai, neo functional material Tokyo, and Green Cross Expo Osaka. Marketing is anchored by a recently redesigned corporate website (vilene.co.jp) with multi-axis product taxonomy, technology columns, downloadable catalogs, environmental reports, and news releases. The stated competitive positioning rests on 65+ years of nonwoven specialization, proprietary technology breadth, and the global R&D reach afforded by Freudenberg Group parentage, enabling tailored solutions for highly specific industrial, automotive, medical, energy, and filtration applications that commodity nonwoven producers cannot match.

Name

Japan Vilene Company

Legal name

Japan Vilene Company, Ltd.

Website

https://vilene.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Japan Vilene Company is a Tokyo-based nonwoven fabric manufacturer (founded 1960, wholly-owned Freudenberg SE subsidiary) producing air filtration, medical, automotive, battery separator, and industrial nonwoven products for enterprise customers through direct quote-based sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonwoven Fabric Manufacturing

NAICS

Nonwoven Fabric Mills (313230), Other Textile Product Mills (3149), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (31599)

SIC

Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300), Miscellaneous Fabricated Textile Products (2390)

akta.pro primary industry

Nonwoven Fabric Mills (Spunbond/Meltblown/Needle-punched) (IMAOABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Medical & Hygiene Technical Textiles (Gauze/Drapes/Wipes/Barrier Fabrics) (IMAOADAD), Protective & Safety Textiles (FR/Arc/Heat/Cut/Chemical) (IMAOADAA), Nonwoven & Technical Fabrics (CRAAAMAD)

Keywords

• Nonwoven fabric manufacturing
• Air filtration media
• Battery separator materials
• Automotive interior nonwovens
• Medical nonwoven substrates

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Nonwoven Fabric Product Sales: Japan Vilene manufactures and sells a broad portfolio of nonwoven fabric products across multiple industry verticals including air filters, industrial materials, automotive, medical/healthcare, battery separators, and apparel. Revenue is generated through direct sales to enterprise customers via product inquiries and quotes. No public pricing is disclosed; sales are handled through a direct sales organization with dedicated product divisions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Japan Vilene Company manufactures and sells engineered nonwoven fabric products across six enterprise segments: General Industrial Materials, Automotive Materials, Medical/Healthcare Materials, Energy Materials (battery separators and fuel cell components), Air Conditioning/Filtration Materials, and Apparel Materials. Products include air filters (Viledon brand), insect protection filters (Mushitorufa), antistatic nonwovens (Denkitoru), NiMH and lithium-ion battery separators, water treatment membrane backings, N95 respirators, angiography kits (Byuteck), adhesive absorbent sheets (PitaPa), transdermal backing materials, automotive interior materials, and apparel interlinings. All sales are handled through direct enterprise engagement via product inquiry forms.

Product overview

Japan Vilene Company is a global nonwoven fabric manufacturer and solution provider with over 65 years of experience. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of nonwoven-based products across multiple business segments including: Air filtration products (Viledon brand filters, insect protection systems under Mushitorufa brand), Personal protective equipment (N95 respirators, disposable dust masks, FT series masks), Battery materials (nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion battery separators), Water treatment membranes (membrane support/backing materials), Medical products (angiography kits, adhesive absorbent sheets, transdermal backing materials), and Automotive interior materials. The company operates as part of the Freudenberg Group and leverages advanced manufacturing technologies including ultra-thin wet-laid nonwoven processes, conductive polymer treatments, and specialized fiber technologies. Products serve diverse industries including healthcare, automotive, electronics, water treatment, and industrial manufacturing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Viledon (フィレドン): Air filter brand for coarse dust filtration products
• Filopanel (フィロパネル)
• Mushitorufa (ムシトルファー)
• Firomatic (フィロマチック)
• Denkitrol (デンキトール)
• Baitect (バイテクト)
• Pitapa (ピタパ)
• Ecoalpha
• Vilosystem (フィロシステム)

Products and services

• Viledon Air Filters Comprehensive line of air filtration products including coarse dust filters, medium-efficiency filters, and high-efficiency filters for commercial, industrial, and cleanroom applications. Sold under the Viledon brand and related sub-brands (Firopanel, Filomatik, FiloBag, FiloClean, FiloFresh, FiloChemical, FiroSalt, Oiltorufa, Vilosystem, Ecoalpha).
• Mushitorufa Insect Protection Filters Insect protection filter systems for air conditioning intake vents, preventing small insects (down to 1–2 mm) from entering buildings. Features include washable designs, patented clamping/sealing mechanisms, and various maintenance options. Achieves >90% collection rate against thrips.
• Denkitoru Antistatic Nonwoven Fabric High-performance nonwoven fabric treated with conductive polymers to effectively eliminate static electricity and prevent dust re-adhesion. Uses ultra-fine split fibers (3–5 μm diameter) for corona discharge-based static elimination. Sold under the Denkitoru trademark.
• N95 Particulate Respirator NIOSH N95 approved particulate respirator for protection against particles, welding fumes, and oil mists. Used in industrial and medical settings.
• Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery Separator Battery separators for NiMH batteries used in hybrid vehicles and consumer electronics. Features ultra-thin wet-laid nonwoven fabric technology (<10 g/m²). Company holds a dominant/very high market share in NiMH separators for hybrid vehicles since first adoption in 1997.
• Nonwoven Fabric for Membrane Substrate & Support Nonwoven fabrics used as backing materials for water treatment membranes (UF, MF membranes, MBR applications). Provides support for thin membrane films with surface smoothness, high strength, bending resistance, vibration durability, acid/alkali resistance, and precise porosity control. Over 20 years of supply experience.
• Transdermal Backing Materials Nonwoven fabric materials for transdermal drug delivery patches including water-based gel patches, non-water-based gel patches, and passive laminated patches. DMF registered with US FDA and China NMPA.
• BiTect Kit (Angiography Kit) Convenient kit containing all necessary medical materials for catheter-based angiography procedures. Approved medical device distributed by group company Vilene Create Co., Ltd. Sold under the Byuteck/BiTect trademark.
• PitaPa Sheet (Adhesive Absorbent Sheet) Adhesive absorbent sheet that prevents liquid contamination spread and slip accidents in medical settings. Type PS-050, quickly absorbs blood and contaminated water. Sold under the PitaPa trademark by group company Vilene Create Co., Ltd.
• Base Material for Cooling Sheets Soft-textured nonwoven fabric with excellent processability for cooling sheet applications. Made of polyester using hydroentangling or needle punching methods.
• Disposable Respirators (DS1/DS2 National Assay Approved) DS2 and DS1 nationally certified dust-proof respirators for industrial applications including protection against welding fumes and oil mists. The Vilene Mask FT Series (4 new products) was added in October 2025 with improved fit and usability.
• Cabin Air Filters Air filters for automobiles, agricultural machinery, and construction machinery cabins for odor and gas removal.
• Printed Nonwoven Fabric High-design nonwoven fabrics using print technology for aesthetic applications in automotive interiors and other products.
• Carpet Floor Mats Automotive carpet floor mats with design aesthetics and functionality.
• Wiping Cloth / Duster Cloth Nonwoven wiping cloths and duster cloths for industrial and cleaning applications.
• Headliner Facings, Opening Trim Automotive interior materials for headliners and opening trims with environmental impact reduction properties.
• High-Heat-Resistant Lithium-Ion Battery Separator Specialized separators for lithium-ion batteries with high heat resistance for enhanced safety.
• Gas Diffusion Layer Base Material for Fuel Cells Base materials for fuel cell gas diffusion layers supporting clean energy applications.
• Apparel Interlining and Wadding Interlining, wadding, and other apparel accessories for the fashion and textile industry. Delivers comfort, fit, insulation, and aesthetic performance in garments.

Quantifiable outcome

• >90% insect collection rate (Azami-thrips, 1–2mm insects) for Mushitorufa insect protection filter
• +1 more outcomes

Segments7 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 minor and core.

• NPO Playground of Hope (、特定非営利活動法人プレイグラウンド・オブ・ホープ)minorOthersJapan Vilene Group cooperates with NPO Playground of Hope in supporting children's welfare facilities. In May 2023, the group assisted in installing playground equipment at Kishiwada Gakuen children's home in Osaka, and revisited in March 2026 for maintenance activities. This partnership is part of Freudenberg Group's e² initiative in education and environment.
• NPO Mirai no Mori (、NPO法人みらいの森)minorOthersJapan Vilene Group collaborates with NPO Mirai no Mori, which supports the growth of children living in children's homes through outdoor programs. In November 2024 and May 2025, Japan Vilene employees participated in forest management activities with children from children's homes in Hachioji City, Tokyo, as part of Freudenberg's e² initiative.
• Vilene Create Co., Ltd. (バイリーン.Create株式会社)coreTechnology or IntegrationVilene Create Co., Ltd. is a Japan Vilene Group company that handles specific product lines including angiography kits (Byutect Kit) and adhesive absorbent sheets (PitaPa Sheet). These products are listed as group company products and are distributed under the parent company's brand. The angiography kit was featured in a TV drama in January 2026.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• 3M: Global conglomerate with major presence in N95 respirators, filtration media, and industrial nonwovens. Comparable in disposable respirators and high-efficiency filtration, though operating across a vastly broader product portfolio.
• Toray Industries: Former 25% JV partner of Japan Vilene and one of the world's largest synthetic fiber and textile producers. Comparable in advanced fiber technology (carbon fiber, nonwoven input fibers), membrane technology, and Japanese industrial customer base.
• DuPont: Global materials science incumbent with significant nonwoven and specialty textile exposure (Tyvek, Nomex, Kevlar). Overlaps in protective materials, filtration substrates, and high-performance technical textiles though spread across a much broader portfolio.
• Berry Global: Major global nonwoven and plastic packaging manufacturer with significant presence in hygiene, industrial, and specialty nonwovens. Comparable in spunbond nonwovens for hygiene and industrial end-uses, though broader in scope and scale.

Direct peers

• Freudenberg Performance Materials: Parent company Freudenberg SE's global nonwoven fabrics division. Directly comparable in product technology (spunbond, meltblown, wet-laid), customer verticals (automotive, filtration, hygiene), and application breadth. Operates as Japan Vilene's sister division.
• Hollingsworth & Vose: Specialty filtration media and nonwoven manufacturer focused on air, liquid, and battery separator applications. Directly comparable in advanced filtration media and battery separator technologies, particularly for industrial and mobility applications.
• Ahlstrom: Specialty nonwoven and filtration media manufacturer serving industrial filtration, medical, and packaging markets. Directly comparable in fiber-based filtration media, water treatment membranes, and technical specialty papers. Both compete in air and liquid filtration substrates.
• Lydall: Specialty engineered nonwoven and filtration media manufacturer with overlap in industrial filtration, automotive acoustics, and thermal/separation applications. Recently focused on filtration/separation after restructuring.

Regional players

• Asahi Kasei: Major Japanese diversified materials manufacturer with nonwoven, membrane, and battery separator businesses (Hipore, Duraguard). Direct overlap in Li-ion battery separators and filtration media, primarily serving Japan and Asia.
• SK ie technology (SK Geo Centric): Korean manufacturer of Li-ion battery separators and specialty films/polymers. Direct overlap in lithium-ion battery separator technology, serving global battery OEMs from an Asian manufacturing base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Japan Vilene Company