It goes without saying that our concern is not only to ensure that all Koenig & Bauer products meet our high, self-set standards in terms of energy efficiency and sparing resource use. For us, effective environment and climate protection also means observing exemplary, future-oriented and responsible practices in our own factories. One ongoing focus of efforts is the minimisation of energy and resource consumption in the production centres, alongside reduced emissions in the workplace. To this end, we are making consistent investments in efficient technologies and equipment. As each reduction in energy and resource consumption is immediately reflected in lower CO2 emissions, this also allows Koenig & Bauer to contribute to climate protection. The sourcing of green primary energy is another key factor in this context. The production facilities in Radebeul and Würzburg have been awarded quality and environmental management certifications to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 and DIN EN ISO 14001:2015. In addition, the foundry in Würzburg has implemented an energy management system in accordance with DIN EN ISO 50001:2018.
Reducing the Carbon Footprint in Production
As an active contribution to environmental protection, the focus of strategic modernisation measures in our production facilities is placed on reducing CO2 emissions. At the beginning of 2020, a change of provider enabled us to expand our use of energy from renewable sources and has also contributed to significant reductions in our carbon emissions. The share of green electricity at the group’s main locations was increased to 100% in 2021. But that's not all: We are also working on other projects to improve our CO2 balance. By 2024, for example, we will have completed the switch to carbon-neutral district heating generated using green energy for our Radebeul location. Our supplier GETEC relies on a combination of biomass in the form of wood pellets and solar energy for heat generation. In Würzburg, we are investing in a cogeneration plant (CHP) to generate our own heat and electricity using biogas. This project is scheduled for completion in 2022. Beyond the photovoltaic systems already installed at the Radebeul and Mödling locations, we are evaluating projects for more roof- and ground-mounted arrays as means of generating our own electricity.
Saving energy is a similarly important aspect of our sustainability activities. Alongside the modernisation of transformer stations and ventilation systems, work to upgrade the generation and distribution of electricity, compressed air and heat at the Würzburg and Radebeul locations are helping achieve this goal. The conversion of our building lighting to high-efficiency LED technologies with automatic daylight-dependent control at the sites is not only saving electricity, but also improving working conditions.
Reducing Emissions
Dust removal, extraction and solvent distillation systems, as well as improved soundproofing measures in the production and assembly halls, help reduce undesirable emissions such as noise, dust and odour at workplaces in our factories. Ventilation systems provide for a direct supply of fresh air at the right temperature.
Sustainable Waste Management
Sustainable waste management is an important aspect of responsible resource use. We avoid waste wherever possible, and provide for the proper disposal of unavoidable waste in accordance with the statutory regulations. Our waste balance provides detailed information on the types and quantities of waste produced. A comprehensive waste management system ensures the proper disposal of all waste in accordance with the statutory regulations. When disposing of waste, a distinction is made between hazardous and non-hazardous waste, as well as between waste recovery and removal. In Würzburg, remeltable metal waste from the cutting tools in the production centre is an important raw material for the foundry. In Radebeul, remeltable metal waste is collected by our disposal contractor and remunerated accordingly.
Sustainable Travel Management
A responsible approach to business travel is an important instrument for environmental protection at corporate level. We are fully aware of this importance and have therefore elaborated a sustainable travel management system as a clear statement of our commitment. Limiting business travel to essential visits, and at the same time reducing the numbers of persons travelling, is the most powerful sustainability lever. In addition, the carbon footprint of each business trip can be improved significantly by means of systematic travel planning and selection of an appropriate means of transport.
Sustainable Food
This is one of the points of overlap between our environment protection policy and responsibility for our employees. More and more employees are paying attention to sustainability in all spheres of their daily life. And this naturally includes a sustainable diet. Accordingly, the daily menus in our canteens at the Würzburg and Radebeul locations offer a selection of vegetarian and, in part, also vegan meal options.
Climate school award
The award as "Climate School Bavaria" is intended to accompany schools on their way to a climate-neutral school operation. Our vocational school at Koenig & Bauer in Würzburg receives the bronze certification level. For this, the school has developed a sound climate protection plan with effective measures.
The aim is to save as much CO2 as possible in a total of eight fields of action (waste, purchasing, nutrition, communication & networking, compensation & C-bonding, mobility, electricity, heating). After determining the school's carbon footprint, the individual projects are defined with the help of a climate protection plan. The vocational school has already made particularly good progress in energy saving and mobility. Further projects are to follow and gradually make the school CO2-neutral.
The project is supported by the teachers and students at the Koenig & Bauer vocational school. The kick-off event took place at the beginning of the 2023/2024 training year on 1 September 2023. The official award will follow on 28 September 2023 in Munich.