Continental has invested €10m (US$11.5m) in a new 3D blow molding plant in Changshu, China. The plant, which has officially opened, will develop 3D blow molded hoses for use in high performance turbochargers for Chinese OEMs.
With the adoption of blow molding technology, recovery and recycling can be realized, thus reducing pollution emissions during production, meeting the requirements for sustainable liquidity in the industrial production process.
Additionally, this system allows manufacturers to eliminate production and assembly of intermediate parts in the production process, greatly shortening the supply chain and improving the production efficiency of the automotive industry.
“The investment into the new plant underlines our focus on and commitment to the Chinese domestic market, especially the automotive market,” said Thomas Reichenbach, manager of the 3D blow molding project.
The Changshu facility is Continental’s fourth production site featuring the 3D blow molding technology, following Waltershausen in Germany, Somersworth in the USA and San Luis Potosi in Mexico. Its production workshop is equipped with state-of-the-art production lines for highly automated and intelligent production.