About us
The German Abrasives Association (VDS) was founded on 17 January 1917 in Berlin. With 58 member companies, it is currently the largest national association of abrasives manufacturers in Europe. As a national association, the VDS represents the abrasives industry in technical, economic, environmental, and legal policy matters.
Our Tasks
The VDS's statutory purpose is to represent the general economic and legal policy interests of its member companies, to support member companies in all technical and professional matters and tasks related to the manufacture of abrasives, and to promote the technical interests of the abrasives industry, such as standardization, safety, testing, and labeling regulations.
This results in the core tasks of technology, economics, and law.
Learn more about our core tasks
As a member of the European Federation of Abrasives Manufacturers (FEPA) (fepa-abrasives.org), the VDS plays an important role in representing the interests of the industry at the European level.
Our Commissions
In order to safeguard the interests of individual groups of members, especially the manufacturers of the same products, and to process the specific issues of these groups, the member companies of the VDS are assigned into one or more commissions based on their range of products. Currently, these are:
- Bonded abrasives manufacturers
- Flex-wheel manufacturers (reinforced cut-off wheels)
- Coated Abrasive manufacturers
- Manufacturers of superabrasives for stone and construction
- Manufacturers of superabrasives for precision applications
The commissions maintain their own statistics, which provide key performance indicators for business planning. These statistics are based on reports submitted by member companies. Participation in this survey is voluntary. The aggregated and anonymized results can only be viewed by the participating members.
Become a Member
Companies headquartered in the European Union or based in Norway or Switzerland can become members of the VDS, provided they manufacture and distribute abrasives in these countries and employ at least 10 people. If this number of employees is not met, the Board of Directors must issue a reasoned decision for membership. The further processing of semi-finished abrasives acquired elsewhere is not considered manufacturing.
Special memberships are available to companies that make a significant contribution to achieving the VDS's objectives.
Applications for membership are submitted informally to the VDS office. The Board of Directors decides on admission.
