Luwa Celebrates 90 Years
Born in Zürich, Switzerland, in 1935 from the visionary spirit of Hans and Walter Bechtler, Luwa Air Engineering rapidly evolved into a globally trusted leader in Textile and Industrial Air Engineering solutions.
Luwa´s 90-year history is a testament to unwavering resilience, unparalleled engineering excellence, and a relentless commitment to customer-centric progress.
Originally used to brand oil- and small coal-burner products, the name “Luwa” is an abbreviation of the German words “Luft und Wärme”—air and heat—a fitting reflection of the company’s long-standing focus on air technology and thermal processes.
From the foundational brilliance of early mechanical ingenuity to today´s cutting-edge digital solutions and revolutionary energy saving innovations, our story is one of continuous transformation and impactful change.
90 Years of Air Engineering Excellence
1935-1939: Pioneering Years
Luwa AG is established in Zürich in 1935 by Hans and Walter Bechtler, with the goal to manufacture and install industrial air conditioning, automated heating, ventilation and filtering systems.
The constituting General Assembly on 16 July 1935 issues 81 shares and defines Luwa’s mission as the “manufacturing, sale and installation of automatic burners, air conditioning and ventilating systems.”
1940s: Innovation Against All Odds
Luwa licenses Heinrich Thoma’s Pneumafil® spinning-suction system, launching its Total Air Control (TAC) strategy and broadening its product range (1941).
Wartime shortages: Luwa keeps Swiss mills running by flattening oil drums for sheet metal and producing civil-defence gear.
1950s: Expansion and Local Support
Luwa realizes the importance of being close to customers in important markets worldwide, leading to the opening of branches in Europe, the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and South America.
By decade’s end, over 50% of Luwa’s turnover comes from exports. France, Spain, and Italy emerge as key international markets.
1960s: Expanding Horizons Worldwide
Luwa establishes strategic overseas subsidiaries in Germany, Brazil, Singapore, and Hong Kong, enabling faster response times and localized customer service.
1970s: Mastering Automation
Luwa Engineering Pte Ltd, Singapore is incorporated (1974).
Luwa is granted US Patent US4090857A for a “filter box for textile machines”, forming the foundation for modern automated dust extraction and travelling cleaner systems (1978).
1980s: Global Recognition
Luwa celebrates 50 years of Swiss engineering excellence (1985).
The company cements its reputation as a global leader in textile and industrial air engineering solutions.
1990s: Forging Strategic Alliances
Luwa enters South Asia with Luwa India Pvt Ltd in Bangalore and merges with Zellweger Uster to form Zellweger Luwa AG (1993).
Luwa Forward Air Engineering Ltd. opens in Shanghai (1998).
This decade includes: Mergers and strategic partnerships, early development of digital control systems, deepened R&D focus on automation and air quality.
2000s: Reinventing for a New Era
International air-engineering unit spins off from Zellweger Luwa, creating Luwa Air Engineering AG (2006).
Luwa acquires Koenig AG, adding sustainable heat-recovery solutions and boosting its energy-recovery, filtration, and process-control offerings (2009).
2010s: Joining Forces for Cleaner Air
Luwa reorganizes into four units—Textile, Industrial, Eco, and Control Engineering—and opens Luwa Havalandirma in Istanbul, Türkiye (2012).
Luwa America Inc. is established in North Carolina (2014).
Luwa becomes part of the Nederman Group, gaining access to global resources, R&D, and commercial synergies.
2020–2025: Smart and Sustainable Solutions
The Nonwoven sector sees rapid growth due to rising demand for hygiene, healthcare, and sustainable materials—particularly in the U.S. and Asia.
Launch of the energy-efficient Axial Flow Fan with carbon fibre blades, reducing energy consumption by up to 12% and CO₂ by up to 14 tons per year.
Join Us 90 Years Strong…
and Just Getting Started!
Shaping Tomorrow´s World through Innovation and Vision
Luwa Air Engineering Today
Act Global Think Local
Operating from six engineering hubs (Switzerland, India, China, Singapore, USA & Türkiye) and a network of agents in 60+ countries, we stay close to every major textile, non-woven and industrial process-industry.
Empowering Progress with People
Our ~350 dedicated experts build, install and service Luwa systems across five continents.
Part of the Nederman Group
As part of the Clean Air Company, we leverage global resources and use group synergies in R&D and digital analytics for stronger innovation, sustainable growth and market reach.
Precision Textile Climate & Air Quality
The Challenge
Fluctuating humidity, unstable temperatures, uneven airflow and poor air quality that undermine product quality, efficiency and worker health.
Our Solution
Engineered, energy-efficient systems for precise humidity & temperature control combined with dust and fibre collection/filtration. An optimal customized and cost effective solution for every customer.
Why Luwa
Deep application know-how and high-quality engineering deliver stable conditions, boost output and enhance sustainability—all in one solution.
Our Strategic Priorities
Sustainable and Energy Efficient Solutions
Reduction of our customers energy consumption with new ultra-efficient, low-carbon technologies and intelligent control systems.
“With 90 years of expertise, we bring precision and reliability to both modern textile mills and emerging nonwovens and industrial industries, empowering them to create superior textiles and cleaner, safer products for a healthier world.”
- Ulf Mattisson, CEO Luwa Group
Growing Our Presence in Other Markets
The Textile segment remains our core business and additionally Luwa is able to support the surge in hygiene and medical-grade nonwovens - especially in North America, Europe and Asia. Our air-handling and filtration expertise has successfully been applied to nonwoven and hygiene facilities, establishing us as a trusted partner in these rapidly expanding markets.