Vileda enters the cleaning robot market with a cleaning solution which provides an alternative to the vacuum. The intelligent navigation system of the Vileda cleaning robot covers various surfaces, sweeping hard floors and short pile carpets so you don’t have to.
Vileda develops an innovative robotic dusting system called Virobi® for maximum convenience and simply usage. Virobi® automatically sweeps all kind of hard floors, totally by itself, working with an electrostatic disposable cloth.
The Vileda Easy Wring & Clean Spin Mop set - a combination of a highly efficient microfibre mop and a bucket with a foot pedal operated wringer - was invented to provide more effortless floor cleaning.
The Vileda 1.2 Spray mop was introduced to the market. It’s suitable for in-between AND thorough floor cleaning thanks to the integrated and convenient spray mechanism in the handle: this bucket-less method reduces water consumption and cleaning efforts.
Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions GmbH take over the operative business of Trade & Investment in Asia Pacific Limited (BVI) (TIA), consisting - among others - of sales companies in Thailand (Joint Venture), Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Hongkong and the E&J-production company in Ningbo in China. .
The new Vileda Smart Abrasive Scourer offers a new dimension in modern dishwashing. Dirt and particles are wiped away easily and do not stick within the material anymore.
The Freudenberg Group built a €1 million training center in Nagapattinam in the south Indian province of Tamil Nadu; this gave around 130 young people from the region worst affected by the tsunami in 2004 the opportunity to explore job prospects and make plans for their futures. .
The Finnish Standards Association awarded the “Nordic Swan Eco-Label” to selected Vileda Professional Swep mops.
New Vileda bucket and PowerPress wringers introduced based on bionic principles (eg. bucket for Vileda Wischmop). Its ergonomic design reduces efforts in wringing of mops.
FHCS produces broom bristles from 100% recycled polyester derived from PET bottle chips.
Vileda broom DuActiva with foam blade: ECARF allergy certificate awarded for low dust generation.
"We all take care" Freudenberg Health, Safety & Environment Program established.
The World Summit on Sustainable Development was held in Johannesburg, ten years after the Rio Earth Summit. Its goal was to assess the progress made since Rio de Janeiro. The findings were, however, disillusioning: in most countries of the world, the situation for the environment and population had actually deteriorated further. A resolution was taken to adopt an agenda with five key areas: by 2015, the share of the population without access to basic sanitary facilities is to be halved, negative impacts on human health minimized, the decline in global fish stocks brought to a halt, the loss of biodiversity arrested and national sustainability strategies developed. Almost all EU member states have adopted their own sustainability strategy.
Freudenberg invested into new microfibre hydroentanglement technology: Evolon® microfibre cloths reduce the cleaning time and the use of cleaning chemicals.
Freudenberg set out its "Guiding Principles".
To celebrate its 150th anniversary, the company set up the TANNER Youth Program, which enables the children and grandchildren of employees all over the world to travel to other Freudenberg locations and stay as guests of the families of company employees.
Vileda latex free glove "Dermo Plus "was introduced.
First United Nations Conference on Environment and Development was held in Rio de Janeiro, focussing on the relationship between environmental and developmental goals. Also, the Agenda 21 was adopted at this conference. Agenda 21 is an action program for global sustainable development that made the concept of sustainability a formal political principle. It was now recognized that global environmental protection is only possible if economic and social aspects are also taken into consideration.
The partners set up the Carl Freudenberg Support Fund with an investment of 10 million DM for employees suffering severe financial hardship and for the payment of death benefits.
The Brundtland-Report was published by the World Commission on Environment and Development and entitled "Our Common Future ". The description of sustainability we use today was defined, stating that sustainable development is "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
Swep “1-Step” Hospital Floor Cleaning Method with pre-moistened flat mop pads (Finland, Scandinavia) was introduced.
The partners set up the Freudenberg Stiftung ("Freudenberg Foundation") with an investment of 3 million DM. This foundation was a limited partner of the company. Its aim was to support the integration and promotion of disadvantaged groups and encourage cultural projects.
Vileda Wischmop – SuperMocio (Spain), the well-known non-woven string mop was launched.
To mark the 100th birthday of master craftsman Georg Böhler, a prize was established for the graduates of vocational training schools. This prize was awarded every year up to 1970.
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the company, the partners set up a home construction fund. At the same time, two foundations with a 10-year term were donated to the cities of Weinheim and Schönau for the support of citizens in need.
The Vileda/Wettex sponge cloth was developed: Margareta Lindquist, the wife of the sponge cloth inventor Curt A.J. Lindquist, proposed the name Wettex (“wet textile”) for the well-known, 100% biodegradable dish cloth made of cellulose sponge material.
The first Vileda-branded product was launched into the market: the Vileda window cloth.
Hans and Richard Freudenberg brought in Dr. Ludwig Nottebohm, the inventor of nonwovens technology. This addition to the company led to the founding of the Vileda brand.
To mark their silver wedding anniversary, Hermann Ernst and Helene Freudenberg set up a widows and orphans fund with an investment of 150,000 Gold Marks. Widows received 200 Marks a year and orphans 50 Marks a year.
Friedrich Carl Freudenberg set up an improvement fund with an investment of 100,000 Gold Marks and income of 4,000 Gold Marks per year. This fund guaranteed a small company pension to people disabled from occupational diseases and accidents at work.
Freudenberg donated municipal public baths to Schönau city.
On the occasion of their golden wedding anniversary, Carl and Sophie Freudenberg set up an assistance fund for employees and their families in financial hardship, with an investment of 100,000 Gold Marks and income of 6,500 Gold Marks per year.
Johanna Freudenberg founded a church-run nursing station and a kindergarten in Schönau.
Carl Johann Freudenberg and Heinrich Christian Heintze took over a tannery in Weinheim (Germany).
Hanns Carl von Carlowitz used the wording “sustainability” for the first time (his aim was to ensure that only as much wood was logged as could grow back in the same time).
