Autoneum's
Asia Momentum

Asia is not just a market—it’s the future of mobility, and Autoneum is right at the center of this transformation. With this shared conviction, CEO Eelco Spoelder and Andreas Kolf, Head Business Group Asia, discuss how the Group is accelerating its transformation in the world’s most dynamic automotive region. In this exclusive conversation, Eelco Spoelder explains why Asia is central to Autoneum’s Level Up strategy and how global priorities align with regional opportunities. Andreas Kolf provides insights into the practical steps in 2025 behind this vision: strengthen local footprint and innovations tailored for local markets. Together, they reveal how Autoneum combines global leadership with local agility to capture growth, drive sustainability, and shape the future of mobility in China, India, and beyond.

Why is Asia a strategic growth market for Autoneum?

Eelco Spoelder: Asia represents the largest and fastest-growing automotive market globally, with China and India leading the charge in terms of growth. In 2025 alone, more than 34.5 million vehicles¹ were produced in China, which is an increase of more than 10 percent compared to the year before. This growth was mainly driven by brands like Geely, Chery, and BYD, and a strong demand for electric vehicles and advanced features, supported by government incentives and a rapidly expanding middle class. For Autoneum, Asia is not just a market—it is a strategic engine for future revenue. Our ambition is clear: to achieve 20 percent of Group revenue from Asia in the mid-term. This requires bold steps, including local production, and engineering and product solutions tailored to regional needs.

What role does the region play in our global corporate strategy?

Spoelder: Asia is central to Autoneum’s Level Up strategy under the pillar ‘Accelerate Global Growth.’ The region enables diversification of our customer base and positions us closer to high-volume OEMs, particularly Chinese brands that dominate local markets. By expanding our footprint through acquisitions and new plants, we have strengthened resilience against market volatility in Europe and North America. Asia also serves as a hub for innovation, especially in e-mobility and sustainable materials, aligning with our long-term vision to lead in acoustic and thermal management solutions worldwide.

What goals have we set for Asia by 2030?

Spoelder: Our mid-term goal is to generate 20 percent of our Group revenue from Asia. This includes an above average profitability, expanding our customer portfolio to cover all major passenger car and commercial vehicle OEMs, consolidating our acquired plants in China for increased efficiency, and leveraging our Research & Technology (R&T) Center in Shanghai to deliver cost-optimized, innovative solutions. Sustainability targets—such as zero-landfill pilots and increased recycling—are also integral to our roadmap.

What activities were most critical for our success in Asia?

Andreas Kolf: Strategic M&A has been a cornerstone of our growth strategy in Asia. In 2025, we completed the acquisition of Jiangsu Huanyu Group, a leading supplier in China, which immediately expanded our customer base among domestic OEMs. We also finalized the acquisition of Chengdu Yiqi-Sihuan, strengthening our presence in China and driving significant sales growth, along with new opportunities with commercial vehicle OEMs both in China and globally. These takeovers go beyond market access—they provide valuable insights into local consumer preferences and regulatory requirements, enabling us to tailor solutions effectively. Joint development projects with regional OEMs further accelerate innovation, particularly in sustainable materials and battery protection systems. By combining Autoneum’s global expertise with local know-how, these acquisitions ensure we remain competitive and agile in a rapidly evolving market. Together, they have secured our position as the global leader and the second-largest player in China.

How do the requirements of our Asian customers differ from other markets?

Kolf: Asian customers, particularly in China and India, prioritize cost efficiency, rapid delivery, and localized innovation. Unlike European markets, where premium features dominate, Asian OEMs seek solutions that balance performance with affordability. Sustainability is also a key focus, driven by regulations and consumer awareness, creating strong demand for lightweight, recyclable materials. The pace of product development is faster, requiring suppliers to adapt quickly and offer flexible solutions. In addition, electric vehicles represent a major growth segment, with expectations for advanced thermal management systems to ensure battery safety.

Generally, these customers operate within well-established systems aligned with automotive industry standards. However, in certain Asian countries, cost sensitivity is higher, development cycles are shorter, and expectations for engineering services are more demanding. These unique requirements challenge us to innovate continuously while maintaining competitive pricing and operational agility.

How do we address local trends such as e-mobility or sustainability?

Kolf: Autoneum’s approach to e-mobility and sustainability in Asia is proactive and integrated. We work closely with OEMs to develop lightweight, recyclable materials that reduce vehicle weight and improve energy efficiency. Our Shanghai R&T Center plays a pivotal role in adapting global innovations to local needs, including thermal management systems for EV batteries and acoustic solutions for quiet electric drivetrains.

Electrification and sustainability are increasingly in focus, particularly in China, where EV penetration now exceeds 70 percent of car production. In response, we are intensifying efforts to promote new mobility products such as frunks, e-motor encapsulation, battery lids, and protection plates to meet this market shift. Sustainability is embedded in our operations through energy-efficient production processes, waste reduction initiatives, and expanded use of renewable energy sources, including solar panels at plants across Asia. We also align with regional regulatory frameworks directly supporting circular‑economy requirements by offering mono-material solutions.

By combining technological innovation with environmental responsibility, we address the dual challenge of performance and sustainability, strengthening our competitive position in Asia’s fast-evolving automotive landscape.

Can you share examples of successful product adaptations in China, India, or Southeast Asia?

Kolf: One notable example is the adaptation of our lightweight carpet technology for Chinese OEMs, where cost efficiency and recyclability are critical. We redesigned the product to reduce material usage without compromising acoustic performance, delivering significant savings for customers.

Beyond regional adaptations, we also influenced global OEM strategies. For instance, we persuaded a North American OEM in China to adopt a frunk made from our proprietary lightweight substrate technology Ultra-Silent instead of a traditional plastic part—improving sustainability and performance. Similarly, for a new Chinese OEM, we applied our Ultra-Silent wheelhouse outer liner technology to reduce product weight and enhance functionality.

These examples underscore Autoneum’s ability to customize global technologies for local requirements while driving innovation and sustainability, reinforcing our reputation as a responsive and trusted partner.

Asia is not just a focus—it is our stepping stone for the future

CEO Eelco Spoelder and Andreas Kolf, Head Business Group Asia

What are the biggest challenges in entering or expanding in Asia?

Spoelder: Expanding in Asia presents several challenges, including intense competition from local suppliers, complex regulatory environments, and fluctuating economic conditions. Navigating diverse cultural and business practices requires strong local expertise and realiable relationships with customers.

Additionally, the rapid pace of technological change demands continuous innovation to stay ahead. Cost competitiveness, shorter vehicle development lead times, and frequent changes in vehicle planning add further complexity. Our strong market position, combined with our local roots, creates significant opportunities in this competitive environment.

Despite these challenges, Autoneum’s strategy of combining global standards with local agility enables us to overcome barriers and capitalize on growth opportunities.

Which opportunities do you see in terms of market volume and customer structure?

Spoelder: Gain market shares globally as the industry leader. Asia offers unparalleled opportunities specifically for Autoneum, driven by its sheer market size and the accelerating shift toward electric mobility. China alone accounts for more than 30 percent of global new car production, creating strong demand for advanced thermal and acoustic solutions. India’s automotive sector is also expanding rapidly, with growing adoption of sustainable technologies.

Furthermore, the customer landscape is evolving, with domestic OEMs gaining prominence alongside global brands. This diversification enables Autoneum to broaden its portfolio and reduce dependency on other regions. By leveraging our innovation capabilities, local partnerships, and a local-for-local approach, we ensure presence at all relevant domestic OEMs in China, with growth to follow globally. Through these strategies, Autoneum is well-positioned to capture emerging opportunities and achieve sustainable, long-term growth.

How do we respond to regulatory requirements and cultural differences?

Kolf: Compliance and cultural sensitivity are integral to our operations globally and in Asia. We maintain a robust regulatory monitoring system to ensure adherence to global and local standards, particularly in areas such as emissions, recyclability, and safety. Our teams collaborate closely with local authorities and industry associations to anticipate regulatory changes and adapt quickly.

As an international organization, we acknowledge and respect regional cultures and strictly comply with local regulations. We maintain consistent communication with local industry associations and regulatory authorities to remain promptly informed of new policies, ensuring our operations meet all applicable standards. Additionally, we have established diverse channels of engagement with employees, clients, and partners to gain insight into their perspectives and needs, fostering responses that reflect our commitment to cultural respect.

By combining compliance excellence with cultural sensitivity, we build trust with partners and employees, fostering long-term relationships that support our strategic objectives.

Which milestones did we achieve in 2025?

Kolf: Key milestones in 2025 include the acquisition of Jiangsu Huanyu Group and of Chengdu Yiqi-Sihuan, launching production in our plants in Pune and Changchun, and growing our Shanghai R&T Center. We introduced three major product innovations—N-Join1, Flexi-Light PET, and E-Fiber Flame Shield—to the Asian markets. Financially, Asia strongly contributed to the Group‘s 6.4 percent inorganic revenue increase, reinforcing its role as a growth engine. These achievements underscore the success of our Level Up strategy and set the stage for continued expansion.

What does the roadmap for the upcoming years look like?

Spoelder: The spark behind our success is the relentless execution of our Level Up strategy. Besides our largest markets in Europe and North America, Asia is not just a focus—it is our stepping stone for the future. We’re accelerating growth through bold acquisitions and cutting-edge research and development, aiming to set new benchmarks in acoustic and thermal solutions. Sustainability isn’t a checkbox—it’s it is a core element of our strategy. From zero-landfill initiatives to boosting recycled materials, we are shaping a cleaner tomorrow. And with digitalization as our engine, smarter manufacturing and predictive analytics will propel us into a new era of efficiency.

Innovation is our DNA. R&T Center in Shanghai is set to become a global innovation hub, completing its build-up within three years and joining forces with our main R&T Center in Winterthur to fuel future breakthroughs. By fusing innovation and sustainability, Autoneum is not just keeping pace—we’re setting the rhythm for global mobility trends.