History and Milestones

It all started with a sponge: more than 80 years of foam expertise shape our global success story

FoamPartner's worldwide success story began in Switzerland in 1937 with the trading of natural sponges. We are part of the Recticel Group since 2021. Striving to be known as “best in foam”, our Global Business Units develop best-in-class foam solutions jointly with our clients.

The FoamPartner story

When the sources for his sponge importing business dried up due to turbulent wartime circumstances, the innovative pioneer Fritz Nauer shifted his focus to synthetic materials. In doing so, he laid the cornerstone for FoamPartner's global network.

2023

Recticel Engineered Foams joins Carpenter
Carpenter is acquiring Recticel NV's Engineered Foams business and associated manufacturing facilities in Europe, Asia, Africa and North America.
This makes Carpenter the world's largest vertically integrated manufacturer of polyurethane foams and specialty polymer products.

More information

2021

FoamPartner joined Recticel
Together with the Recticel Flexible Foams, FoamPartner has formed Recticel's Engineered Foams business line. 

With over 2,700 employees at more than 34 locations on 4 continents, 6 market segments are served: Living & Care, Mobility Performance, Mobility Interiors, Industrial Solutions, Consumer & Medical Care and Systems.

These create tailor-made solutions for a wide range of applications along the entire value chain of many different industries, from system formulations to semi-finished products and manufactured components.

Benefit from an extended range of best-in-class products, a unique global presence and our passion for innovative and sustainable solutions.

Learn more about Recticel Engineered Foams

2020

FoamPartner opens "Smart Factory" in Duderstadt, Germany
The new FoamPartner Converting Center GmbH complements the existing expertise of the FoamPartner Group to provide a vertically integrated value chain from foam production to customized precision components. Learn more

Renaming of the Headquarter and other locations in FoamPartner

  • Fritz Nauer AG in FoamPartner Switzerland AG
  • Reisgies Schaumstoffe GmbH in FoamPartner Leverkusen GmbH
  • Benien Produktionstechnik GmbH in FoamPartner Delmenhorst GmbH
2019

Renaming of Otto Bock Kunststoff GmbH to FoamPartner Germany GmbH.
As well as other international locations.

  • Otto Bock Polyurethane Technologies, Inc. in FoamPartner Americas, Inc.
  • Swisstex, Inc in FoamPartner Americas, Inc.
  • FoamPartner Bock Polyurethane Materials (Changzhou) Co., Ltd in FoamPartner Polyurethane Materials (Changzhou) Co., Ltd
  • FoamPartner Bock Trading (Shanghai) Ltd. in FoamPartner Trading (Shanghai) Ltd.
2017

FoamPartner/Conzzeta AG aquires Otto Bock Kunststoff GmbH in Germany

2014

FoamPartner/Conzzeta AG takes over Benien Produktionstechnik GmbH in Germany

2011

Otto Bock Kunststoff starts new production site in Rochester Hills, MI, US, for PU foam

2008

Fritz Nauer AG takes over Kureta GmbH in Germany

2005

Joint venture with Otto Bock Kunststoff GmbH for a production site for technical foam in China

2000

Introduction of the FoamPartner umbrella brand

1992

Conzzeta AG takes over Reisgies Schaumstoffe GmbH in Germany, start in automotive sector

1987

Foundation of Otto Bock Polyurethane Technologies Inc. in Minneapolis, MN, US

1980

Conzetta AG Switzerland takes over the Swiss Fritz Nauer AG

1974

Foundation of Swisstex Inc in Greenville, SC, US, production of foam

1963

Foundation of Frina Mousse France SARL, production of foam products

1953

Foundation of Otto Bock Kunststoff GmbH, Germany

1947

Foundation of Reisgies "Bendeler & Co. Chemisch-Technische Fabrik", Germany

1937

Fritz Nauer AG began trading with natural sponges