Trelleborg, Sweden – Rubber engineering company Trelleborg is currently building a second automotive polymer production facility in China to manufacture automotive components such as transmission and steering gear thermoplastic boots for passenger cars, according to CEO Peter Nilsson.

Speaking in an interview with ERJ, Nilsson said Trelleborg saw growth opportunities for all its businesses in Asia, and China specifically, with the increase in urbanisation and population in the country.

“For our automotive polymer boots operations in China we have recently decided to build a second new manufacturing facility in Wuhan, China,” said Nilsson pointing to his company’s efforts to expand its footprint in China.

The company already has a manufacturing plant in Wuxi, China for automotive polymers.

The new plant will be in the suburb of Wuhan, and will be similar to the Wuxi site in terms of size.

Spanning 4,500 square metres, the plant will have 25 machines and will aim to improve local presence for Trelleborg’s key customers.

The plant, according to Nilsson, is expected to start production in mid-2017.