Nok eyes growth in Chinese EV market with new technology centre

Wuxi, China – Nok Corp. has opened a new technology centre in Wuxi to strengthen its local development operations and support rising demand in the electric vehicle (EV) market.

The facility, operated by Nok-Freudenberg China (NFC), was officially inaugurated in late May alongside a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of Wuxi Nok-Freudenberg Oilseal Co. Ltd. (WNF), the group’s largest production base in China.

In a 5 June statement, Nok said the centre was established as part of its 2023–25 mid-term management plan to “create new growth drivers” and accelerate local development in growth areas such as EVs, green energy and smart manufacturing.

Housed in a new four-storey building at WNF’s first plant, the technology centre brings previously separately placed functions including design, production technology, testing and sales under one roof.

The consolidation is expected to enhance collaboration, speed up development and reduce costs.

WNF has also secured space in the building for around 20% additional production capacity in the future, said Nok.

“This new building will be a production factory for new markets, and will also serve as a technical centre responsible for technological development in China,” said Junichi Orita, CEO of Nok’s sealing solutions business.

It will provide "high-value-added solutions" to meet the diverse needs of the market, including EVs and general industry.

WNF was established in 1995 as a joint venture between Nok and Germany’s Freudenberg Group.

It primarily supplies sealing products such as oil seals and O-rings to both international and local vehicle manufacturers in China.

The group said it has recently ramped up development of EV-specific components such as battery and thermal management seals.

The expansion also reflects a broader strategy to combine Freudenberg technical input with local design and development to support the Chinese market.