The Story Behind Our Brand

Our Origins

Filkemp produces approximately 5,000 tons of filament each year across 23 production lines. Founded in 1952 in Germany as part of the Hoechst group, the factory moved to Portugal in 1969. After Hoechst shifted its focus to life sciences in 1996, the current ownership team completed a management buyout and established Filkemp in 1998.

At Filkemp, our dedication to innovation, sustainability, and client-centered solutions fuels everything we do. We’re shaping the future of high-performance filaments, one strand at a time.

Markus Kemper

CEO

Trusted by Industry Leaders

A top Global Producer

Filkemp holds a global leading position in the production of PET, PA6, PA610, PA612 and various combinations of special polymers and copolymers, which act as a base in the production of technical polymers for the paper industry, conveyor belts or industrial filtration, abrasive brushes, recreational and commercial fishing, tennis racket strings, mooring lines, agriculture and, most recently, filaments for 3D printing.

Vision and Mission

We foster trust and co-create value, prioritizing customer needs to deliver high-performance monofilament solutions through a digital, customer-centric platform that combines quality, flexibility, and innovation, by leveraging advanced technologies, fostering long-term value, sustainability, and global partnerships.

Purpose

We are focused on the development of 3d print filaments for industrial applications, offering a range of products with superior strength and high performance. In order to provide the best results, for the most varied applications.

Management Team

Filkemp is a human-centered company. Our management team values collaboration and believes that people are the driving force behind our innovation, production excellence, and sustainability goals. Empowered teams are at the heart of everything we do.

Sustainability

Environmental responsibility is a core commitment at Filkemp. Investments have focused on key areas such as Health & Safety, waste reduction, and energy efficiency. In 2017, Filkemp received official recognition for its efforts in improving energy performance. While these steps mark significant progress, they represent just the beginning. Continued investments through 2020 and beyond aim to further enhance our environmental and energy efficiency, reinforcing our long-term sustainability strategy.

International Presence

Filkemp is a company with production in Portugal and a global presence. The strategic and competitive location, 18 km (11 miles) from the port of Lisbon, which has connections to the key international maritime routes and is at the entrance to Europe, is an important factor in its global recognition.

Filkemp is present in over 40 countries with more prominence, naturally in Europe representing 55% of the business; Asia has a slice of 25% and the Americas the balance of 20%.

Innovation

At Filkemp, innovation is more than product development — it is a strategic pillar that drives long-term value creation. We are actively investing in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and smart manufacturing technologies to enhance operational efficiency, accelerate time-to-market, and deliver more responsive and personalized solutions to our global clients.