Swiss automobile insulation supplier Autoneum (Winterthur; www.autoneum.com) is expanding its presence in China through the opening of a plant for the production of lightweight acoustic and thermal management components in Yantai, Shandong province, its seventh facility in the country.

Multifunctional inner dashes and carpet systems will be produced in series for the Chinese auto market at the 6,600 m² manufacturing location from the summer of 2017. Following the start of serial production, carpet systems and inner dashes will be manufactured for around 250,000 vehicles annually, with the potential for increased production.

As part of the implementation of sustainable production processes at all Autoneum locations, polyester and mixed fibre fleece production waste is to be recycled and re-used in the manufacture of components at the new facility in Yantai.

Martin Hirzel, Autoneum CEO, said: “With over 26m light vehicles produced this year, China is the world’s largest automobile market. The investment in a further plant in this growth market will enable our customers to receive innovative lightweight components just-in-time and with significantly lower logistics costs.”