History

Important milestones in the history of the Freudenberg Chemical Specialities business units.

  • Surtec Logo
    2023

    SurTec International acquired the Italian company Aluservice srl.

  • Chemtrend Logo
    2023

    Chem-Trend LP extended its portfolio with the acquisition of a new mold release agent brand. The company acquired the Mavcoat™ brand from Maverix Solutions, Inc., USA.

  • Chemtrend Logo
    2023

    By way of the Chem-Trend Deurowood, Austria, acquisition, the company concluded a carveout acquisition of the HIPERADD paper impregnation additives product line from Chemisol Italia S.r.l.

  • Surtec Logo
    2022

    SurTec International acquired TF Chemical srl., Italy.

  • Surtec Logo
    2022

    SurTec International acquired omniTECHNIK Mikroverkapselungs GmbH, in Germany and the associated joint venture, Precote USA L.L.C., Romeo, MI.

  • SurcTec Logo
    2021

    SurTec acquires the chemical business of the Italian surface specialist Italtecno.

  • Freudenberg Logo
    2021

    FCS acquires the Austrain paper impregnation specialist Deurowood.

  • Chem Trend Logo
    2021

    Chem-Trends establishes a new subsidiary in the Czech Republic and further strengthens its business in Eastern Europe.

  • Klüber Lubrication Logo
    2021

    Klüber Lubrication establishes new subsidiaries in Hungary and Slovakia and broadens its basis in Eastern Europe.

  • SurTec Logo
    2020

    SurTec inaugurates a new analytics laboratory at its facilities in Bensheim, Germany. The lab is an important interface between R&D and customers. State-of-the-art analytical methods as volumetry and photometry are available to further improve customer specific analysis.

  • Traxit Logo
    2020

    TRAXIT commissioned a new manufacturing Plant in Huzhou, PR China. Next to the existing plant in Tianjin, it is the second plant of the company in the country. Huzhou manufactures dry drawing agents for the wire industry in order to meet the growing demand in the region.

  • Capol Logo
    2020

    CAPOL commissions a new manufacturing line in St. Hubert, Canada. So far the plant focused on manufacturing of natural pigments and flavors but expands production to glazing and anti-sticking agents and other release agents for the confectionary industry, further improving Northern American customer supply.

  • Traxit Logo
    2020

    Klüber Lubrication acquires the German speciality lubricant maker TRAXIT, headquartered in Schwelm, Germany. The company with a history of 139 years delivers solution for the wire industry and is a perfect addition to the Klüber Lubrication portfolio.

  • 2019

    In May, SurTec acquired “EnGra Chemie” – a small company specialized in chemical deburring and successfully operating in this market for more than 20 years. In May the SurTec subsidiary in Ho Chi Minh City commissioned the first production facility of the Freudenberg Group in Vietnam. The manufacturing facility is designed for supplying the entire Southeast Asian region with chemical surface treatment products in the medium term.

  • 2018

    New European logistics center went operational The new Klüber Lubrication European logistics center, Maisach Munich area, covering approx. 40.000 m² of space including stock receipt area, warehousing, a technical center with laboratories and application testing for Chem-Trend, office space, conference rooms, engineering rooms, a canteen and kitchen went operational.

  • 2017

    Capol acquires Colarôme Inc, Staint Hubert, Canada, a manufacturer of natural pigments and flavours.

  • 2017

    Foundation of new subsidairies in Romania through Klüber Lubrication and Chem-Trend.

  • 2016

    Chem-Trend acquires the Ultra Purge™ business for process aids for thermoplast processing from the Italian manufacturer Molds Plus®.

  • 2016

    Chem-Trend acquires the release agents and process aids businesses of Huron Technologies Inc., USA.

  • 2016

    Groundbreaking for the expansion of the Freudenberg Chemical Specialities site at Maisach near its Munich headquarters in Germany. 40 million Euros are to be invested in the construction of a pan-European logistics center for Klüber Lubrication, a new technical center with laboratories for Chem-Trend and additional offices for Chem-Trend and OKS. The three companies are subsidiaries of Freudenberg Chemical Specialities. Covering an area of around 19,000 square meters, this major project underscores the growth of Freudenberg Chemical Specialities in Europe.

  • 2016

    Inauguration of the new plant in Valinhos, Brazil, jointly operated by Chem-Trend and SurTec. Chem-Trend and SurTec, develop, manufacture and sell speciality release agents, process chemicals and chemical surface treatment solutions serving customers in various industries. The new plant replaces two older operations SurTec and Chem-Trend have been running in Brazil since decades. The new facility comprises administration and sales functions, logistics and warehouses, laboratories and manufacturing operations.

  • 2014

    The expansion of the plant in Qingpu, China, jointly operated by Klüber Lubrication and Chem-Trend, is being commissoned. The extension project comprises a new admin building, a training center and a new R&D center for develoment activities specifically tailored to Chinese markets needs.

  • Capol Logo
    2013

    Freudenberg Chemical Specialities acquires Capol GmbH (Elmshorn) and enhances its portfolio by adding products for manufacturing and treating the surface of confectionery products.

  • Checm-Trend Logo
    2013

    Chem-Trend acquires the release agents for composites branch from Zyvax.

  • klüber Lubrication Logo
    2013

    Klüber Lubrication acquires the Fomblin® lubricant business from Solvay.

  • OKS Logo
    2011

    OKS moves into ist new HQs at the city of Maisach, close to Munich.

  • SurTec Logo
    2010

    FCS buys SurTec International GmbH in Zwingenberg and adds products for surface treatments and electroplating technology to its portfolio.

  • Fertigungsstätte in Qingpu
    2008

    Klüber Lubrication and Chem-Trend are setting up their new production site in Qingpu near Shanghai in China. As well as production facilities, the administration, marketing and sales departments for both companies are based in China.

  • 2007

    Klüber Lubrication and Chem-Trend strengthened their presence in Asia by founding each their own companies in Thailand. Chem-Trend also founded a new subsidiary in Japan and opened up a representative office in Vietnam. Klüber opened up a Rep Office in Taiwan.

  • 2006

    Establishment of its own company in Russia has strengthened Klüber Lubrication's basis for effective care of existing customers and acquisition of new customers in the largest country of the world.

  • 2006

    10 years of Klüber Lubrication Texas were due for celebration in January. The company was formed as part of the takeover of Summit Industrial Products Inc. and is a great example of successful company integration. Today, the production site in Texas is the second largest of the Klüber Group with regard to quantities.

  • 2005

    Klüber Lubrication celebrates its 25th anniversary engagement in China. The business has been sucessfully developed over the years. China longer term is going to become one of the most important markets for speciality lubricants.

  • Chem-Trend Logo
    2004

    Freudenberg Chemical Specialities SE & Co. KG takes over Chem-Trend and integrates the company into the group. Chem-Trend has been founded by the Danish scientist Per Lorentzen in 1960.

  • Technologie-Zentrum in München
    2004

    Klüber Lubrication inaugurates its new Technology-Centre in Munich after just 18 month since the start of the construction works. The building offers 14,000 square meters space on six floors.

  • Chemical Specialities GmbH Logo
    2004

    Freudenberg Chemical Specialities SE & Co. KG is founded as a new business area within the Freudenberg Group and assumes control of Klüber and OKS.

  • OKS Logo
    2003

    OKS Spezialschmierstoffe GmbH are taken over. OKS has been founded by Friedrich Kuhn-Weiss in the year 1978. The company's name has been OMNIKOTE before being changed into OKS in 1981. OKS focuses on a distribution based sales model utilizing an international network of distribution partners.

  • Forschung- und Entwicklungszentrum in München
    1998

    Klüber Lubrication inaugurates its R & D Center in Munich.

  • Flagge von Japan
    1976

    Klüber strengthens its engagement in Japan by founding the NOK Klüber Co. Ltd.

  • 1971

    Klüber Lubrication crosses the Atlantic ocean and opens a subsidiary in Brazil. Eleven years later the Klüber Lubrication North America LP will be founded.

  • 1969

    Klüber Lubrication expands its business activities to Spain, Switzerland and Scandinavia and gains additional international presence.

  • Klüber Lubrication Logo
    1966

    The Freudenberg Group acquires Klüber Lubrication. The company has been founded by Theodor Klüber back in 1929 as a trading company for mineral oils. Since then it has developed into a leading manufacturer of speciality lubricants for the OEM markets.