Weinheim, Germany-based, global technology group, Freudenberg, parent company of Klüber, last Tuesday inaugurated its state-of-the-art lubricants production facilities, labs & warehouse in their existing specialty chemicals factory in Mysore. The facility is owned by Klüber Lubrication India and will manufacture various specialty lubricating oils, greases, pastes, aerosols and release agents, across Chem-Trend, OKS and Klüber brands.

Covering a surface area of 17,000 square meters on a site of around 40,000 square meters, the expanded facilities in the existing Klüber India plant in Mysore makes the plant one of the biggest of its kind in the Klüber world. The plant is one of the 14 Freudenberg manufacturing plants in India. Built with an investment of Rs.135 crores (US$21 million), it will cater to various applications in the steel, textile, automotive and general industries for both domestic as well as global markets. This unit will serve as a major tribology test facility with equipment such as an FZG test rig (gear research center) and product development.

Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Jörg Matthias Großmann, the Group's India Representative and CFO, Freudenberg Chemical Specialties, said, "This expanded manufacturing facility will lend impetus to the country's 'Make in India' initiative to serve customers with world-class lubrication and release solutions in both domestic and global markets, including, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Rim." He added, "India continues to provide major investment and growth opportunities for us and we bring long-term commitment to the region through phased investments"

The plant was officially inaugurated by Dr. Jörg Matthias Großmann, Dr. Dirk Loderer and Dr. Jim Graff of Klüber and Chem-Trend respectively. Mr. Jörn Rohde, Consul General, Germany in Bangalore spoke on the occasion.

The product development laboratories in Mysore are catering to the needs in particular of Asia Pacific for specialty lubricants, release agents and maintenance products. A global competence center has been set up in India for the cement industry and Klüber's sales and expertise, relationship with global OEMs and key accounts worldwide are now being led from Bangalore and Mysore. The tribo testing facilities and development competence now created in Mysore will be of great significance in this regard.

Freudenberg has held business ties with companies in India for more than 90 years. The Group employs 2,800 associates at 52 locations. Freudenberg in India recorded sales of Rs. 1,497 crore in 2014.

In 2014, the Freudenberg Group employed over 40,000 people in some 60 countries worldwide and generated sales of more than 7 billion Euros (including pro-rata consolidation of 50:50 joint ventures).