Wedoany.com Report-Aug. 16, On August 12, ZF LIFETEC, a leading specialist in vehicle occupant safety technology, broke ground on the third phase of its plant in the Rizhao Economic and Technological Development Zone, Shandong Province, China. The project, focused on one-piece woven (OPW) airbag production, was announced via the company’s WeChat account.

Covering about 15,000 square meters, the facility has completed initial site leveling, design, and engineering preparations. Set to begin full production in 2027, it will produce over five million OPW airbags annually, boosting ZF LIFETEC’s supply capacity in the Asia-Pacific and globally.

The global automotive passive safety market is projected to grow at a 4% compound annual rate, with airbag demand rising at 8.9%, far exceeding vehicle production growth. ZF LIFETEC’s early focus on OPW airbags positions it to meet this demand and strengthen its market leadership.

Since starting operations in Rizhao in 2022, ZF LIFETEC has completed two phases, supplying airbag cushions, steering wheels, and other components to global automakers. The OPW project aims to address the rising need for high-performance airbags while enhancing supply chain efficiency.

This expansion supports ZF LIFETEC’s strategy to meet local customer demands in China, streamline research to production processes, and foster collaborations with Chinese automakers and new energy vehicle manufacturers, driving innovation in intelligent safety systems.