ElringKlinger
Corporate brand
UnclaimedGerman automotive supplier providing sealing, lightweight, shielding, battery, fuel-cell, plastics, tooling, and aftermarket solutions.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
ElringKlinger is a German automotive supplier and spare-parts manufacturer headquartered in Dettingen an der Erms, Baden-Württemberg. Its roots reach back to 1879, when Paul Lechler established a Stuttgart trading business for gaskets and technical products. The company began manufacturing gaskets in 1914 and later developed into a global original-equipment supplier serving vehicle and engine manufacturers as well as the automotive aftermarket. The modern ElringKlinger identity emerged from the combination of Elring GmbH and the automotive activities of Richard Klinger GmbH in 1994. Elring contributed the Stuttgart-area gasket business founded by Lechler, while Richard Klinger’s engineering tradition traced back to an 1885 workshop founded in Vienna. The two businesses brought together complementary expertise in sealing and engine components, and the combined company was headquartered in Dettingen an der Erms after the relocation of Elring’s headquarters there in 1964–1965. ElringKlinger’s product portfolio extends beyond conventional engine gaskets. Its sealing systems include cylinder-head gaskets, specialty seals, shielding-related sealing products, and other components designed to control fluids, gases, pressure, heat, and vibration in vehicle systems. The company also develops lightweight components and modules, including structural and body-related parts intended to reduce vehicle mass while preserving mechanical performance. Shielding technology covers thermal and acoustic protection for engines, exhaust systems, batteries, and other vehicle assemblies. High-performance plastics and tooling capabilities support both the company’s own production and customer-specific development programs. The transition toward electrified mobility has become a major strategic direction. ElringKlinger supplies components for battery systems and electric drive units and participates in fuel-cell technology through EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies, a joint venture established in 2021 with Plastic Omnium. The company also works on components for electrolyzers and other technologies associated with low-carbon propulsion. These activities complement, rather than immediately replace, its established combustion-engine, transmission, sealing, and aftermarket businesses. International expansion began in 1971 with the acquisition of an initial interest in Spain. Subsequent subsidiaries, joint ventures, acquisitions, and production sites established the group across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. The company has supplied products to almost all major categories of global vehicle and engine manufacturers. Its aftermarket business sells replacement gaskets and related repair products, while its original-equipment operations work with automakers and other industrial customers during component development and series production. The corporate entity became ElringKlinger AG in 2000 following the merger of ElringKlinger GmbH with ZWL Grundbesitz- und Beteiligungs-AG. Shares have been traded on the Frankfurt and Stuttgart stock exchanges since 2002. The company later appeared in the SDAX and MDAX at different points, returning to the SDAX in 2016. ElringKlinger remains an active, publicly traded automotive technology group with approximately 8,600 employees and about 40 locations worldwide according to the referenced company description.
History
ElringKlinger’s history combines two technical traditions in gasket and sealing manufacture. In 1879, Paul Lechler founded a Stuttgart company trading in gaskets and technical products. The business moved from distribution into manufacturing in 1914, when it began producing its own gaskets. Its headquarters were transferred to Dettingen an der Erms in 1964–1965, establishing the location that remains associated with the group today. A second historical line began in Vienna in 1885, when Richard Klinger founded an engineering workshop. That business later entered gasket production, including cylinder-head gaskets from 1930. The two traditions eventually converged in the automotive sector. In 1994, the automotive divisions of Richard Klinger GmbH and Elring GmbH were combined to create ElringKlinger GmbH, headquartered in Dettingen. The merger gave the company a broader base in sealing products and automotive engineering. The company’s first major phase of internationalization began in 1971, when it acquired an initial ownership interest in Spain. Production sites in Bietigheim-Bissingen and Langenzenn followed in 1972. ElringKlinger later expanded through subsidiaries, joint ventures, and acquisitions in Europe, North America, Asia, and other markets. This expansion helped it develop from a German gasket producer into a global development partner and original-equipment supplier. On October 30, 2000, ElringKlinger GmbH merged with its parent, ZWL Grundbesitz- und Beteiligungs-AG, and adopted the name ElringKlinger AG. The company was listed on the Frankfurt and Stuttgart stock exchanges from January 21, 2002. It entered the SDAX in 2003 and the MDAX in 2009, before returning to the SDAX in March 2016 following changes to the composition of Deutsche Börse’s equity indices. Acquisitions during the 2009–2016 period broadened the group’s geographic reach and technical scope. In 2009, ElringKlinger acquired automotive supplier Ompaş in Bursa, Turkey. In 2011, it purchased Swiss exhaust specialist Hug Group and acquired a 90 percent interest in mold and toolmaker Hummel-Formen. Hug Group was subsequently sold to Faurecia in 2018. ElringKlinger’s Japanese joint venture, ElringKlinger Marusan Corporation, and its subsidiaries were fully consolidated from the end of 2013 under a contractual control arrangement. In 2014, ElringKlinger Kunststofftechnik acquired Polytetra GmbH, a processor of fluoropolymers and other high-performance plastics. In 2015, the purchase of Michigan-based M&W Manufacturing strengthened the group’s position in control plates for automatic transmissions. The company also began positioning itself for alternative propulsion. In 2016, it entered a strategic partnership with engineering specialist hofer AG and acquired a 53 percent interest in hofer powertrain products GmbH. The arrangement was intended to provide access to expertise in powertrain systems for hybrid and fully electric vehicles. ElringKlinger subsequently placed greater emphasis on battery, electric-drive, fuel-cell, and related components alongside its established sealing, lightweight, shielding, plastics, tooling, and aftermarket operations. In 2021, the company announced a nine-year battery-component supply contract connected with a global battery manufacturer’s German production plant. That same year, it launched EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies with Plastic Omnium to develop and mass-produce fuel-cell stacks. In June 2024, ElringKlinger established a battery hub in Easley, South Carolina, supporting its activities in the American market. The group is described as employing roughly 8,600 people at approximately 40 locations worldwide and supplying products to nearly all major categories of vehicle and engine manufacturers.
- 2024
South Carolina battery hub is founded
[1]ElringKlinger established ElringKlinger South Carolina, LLC in Easley to support the American battery market.
- 2021
EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies is launched
[1]ElringKlinger and Plastic Omnium established EKPO to develop and manufacture fuel-cell stacks.
- 2016
Partnership with hofer supports alternative powertrains
[1]ElringKlinger entered a strategic partnership with hofer AG and acquired a 53 percent interest in hofer powertrain products GmbH.
- 2015
M&W Manufacturing is acquired
[1]The acquisition of the Michigan-based supplier strengthened ElringKlinger’s control-plate business for automatic transmissions.
- 2014
Polytetra is acquired
[1]ElringKlinger Kunststofftechnik acquired all interests in Polytetra, extending its high-performance plastics capabilities.
- 2011
Hug Group and Hummel-Formen transactions broaden capabilities
[1]ElringKlinger acquired Swiss exhaust specialist Hug Group and took a 90 percent interest in mold and toolmaker Hummel-Formen.
- 2009
Ompaş acquisition expands Turkish presence
[1]The company acquired Turkish automotive supplier Ompaş in Bursa.
- 2002
Shares begin trading on Frankfurt and Stuttgart exchanges
[1]ElringKlinger AG became listed on the Frankfurt and Stuttgart stock exchanges.
- 2000
The company becomes ElringKlinger AG
[1]ElringKlinger GmbH merged with ZWL Grundbesitz- und Beteiligungs-AG and adopted the ElringKlinger AG name.
- 1994
ElringKlinger GmbH is formed
[1]The automotive divisions of Richard Klinger GmbH and Elring GmbH joined to form ElringKlinger GmbH.
Products and positioning
A technology-oriented global automotive supplier combining established sealing and shielding expertise with lightweight construction and electrified-mobility components.
Automotive sealing
Sealing systems
ElringKlinger’s sealing portfolio includes cylinder-head gaskets, engine and transmission seals, and other sealing components used to contain fluids, gases, pressure, and combustion forces. These products serve both original-equipment programs and the replacement-parts market. The group’s historical expertise in gasket manufacturing remains a central part of its automotive identity.
Lightweight construction
Lightweight components and modules
The company develops lightweight structural parts and modules for vehicle bodies, chassis, and other assemblies. These components are intended to reduce mass while meeting requirements for stiffness, durability, crash performance, and manufacturing integration. Lightweight construction is relevant to both combustion vehicles and electric vehicles, where mass reduction can support efficiency and driving range.
Thermal and acoustic management
Shielding technology
ElringKlinger supplies thermal and acoustic shielding products for vehicle systems. Shielding applications can protect nearby components from heat and reduce unwanted noise or vibration. The technology is applicable to engines, exhaust systems, batteries, electric-drive assemblies, and other areas in which temperature and acoustic control affect reliability or passenger comfort.
E-mobility
Battery components
Battery-related products form part of ElringKlinger’s expansion into electrified mobility. The company supplies components and systems for vehicle battery applications and has pursued production relationships with battery manufacturers. Its battery activities are connected with lightweight construction, sealing, thermal management, and protection requirements in high-voltage vehicle systems.
Hydrogen mobility · 2021
Fuel-cell stacks and components
Through EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies, ElringKlinger participates in the development and mass production of fuel-cell stacks for low-carbon mobility. The joint venture combines ElringKlinger’s component and manufacturing capabilities with its partner’s automotive-system expertise. The offering is aimed at commercial and passenger-vehicle applications requiring hydrogen-electric propulsion.
High-performance plastics
Engineered plastics
ElringKlinger Kunststofftechnik develops components made from fluoropolymers and other high-performance plastics. These materials support applications requiring resistance to heat, chemicals, wear, or demanding operating environments. The product area serves automotive and industrial requirements and is supported by the group’s ownership interests and specialist subsidiaries.
Automotive aftermarket
Aftermarket spare parts
The Elring aftermarket business supplies replacement gaskets and related repair products for vehicle maintenance. Its products support independent workshops, distributors, and repair operations after vehicles leave the original-equipment production chain. The aftermarket activity extends the company’s sealing expertise into service and replacement applications.
Manufacturing tooling
Tooling technology
Tooling technology covers the development and manufacture of molds and production tools used for automotive components. ElringKlinger’s capabilities were expanded through its interest in Hummel-Formen and related engineering activities. Tooling expertise supports faster industrialization, process control, and customer-specific component production.
Brand decisions
2024
Creation of the South Carolina battery hubStrategyBackground
Growing North American demand for battery-related automotive manufacturing created a need for a regional operating base.
Action taken
ElringKlinger founded ElringKlinger South Carolina, LLC in Easley to serve the American battery market.
Aftermath
The new entity expanded the company’s regional infrastructure for battery-related business in the United States.
2021
Long-term battery-component supply programProduct launchBackground
ElringKlinger announced a major contract to supply battery components for a global battery manufacturer’s German plant as the automotive industry increased investment in electrification.
Action taken
The company planned to begin supplying the components in 2022 under an agreement scheduled to run for nine years.
Aftermath
The contract reinforced ElringKlinger’s strategic shift toward battery technology and electric-mobility components.
2021
Launch of EKPO Fuel Cell TechnologiesStrategyBackground
ElringKlinger sought to expand beyond conventional automotive components into hydrogen and fuel-cell technology.
Action taken
It established EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies with Plastic Omnium for the development and mass production of fuel-cell stacks.
Aftermath
Fuel-cell systems became a formal part of ElringKlinger’s e-mobility and alternative-powertrain portfolio.
2018
Sale of Hug Group to FaureciaM&ABackground
Hug Group, a Swiss exhaust specialist acquired by ElringKlinger in 2011, was subsequently divested.
Action taken
ElringKlinger sold Hug Group to Faurecia.
Aftermath
The transaction narrowed ElringKlinger’s direct ownership of the acquired exhaust-specialist business.
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