BVS active for sustainability

Environmentally friendly production and employees

In the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) report on global warming, climate researchers warn that it is urgently necessary to set ambitious climate targets now. As a manufacturing company, BVS Blechtechnik has been trying for many years to make an active contribution to the environmentally friendly production of industrial goods with its environmental goals. The switch to the use of green electricity, investments in energy-saving production machinery and incentives for employees to use “job bikes” are just some of the approaches to sustainability that we pushed ahead with in 2019.

The efficient use of energy is a considerable factor for the eco-balance, considering that BVS Blechtechnik has a daily electricity consumption of approx. 5,500 kW. Since the beginning of 2019, this electricity requirement has been covered by renewable resources, mainly hydropower. The switch to a renewable power supply was worth a premium to the management and thus higher costs.

With around 50 machines running per production day, energy-saving operation is important. Here, attention is already paid to energy consumption when selecting new systems. The Ventis 3015 AJ fiber laser cutting machine installed in September requires 70% less power than the laser cutting system it replaced. In addition, the switch to LED lighting in the production halls and offices resulted in significant savings. The powder coating plant and the compressor stations show that heat energy that escapes can be fed back into the production cycle.

Since 2004, the waste heat from these systems has been used entirely for heating the baths by means of energy recovery. And in the winter months, these facilities also heat the offices. The heating system in the house naturally works by switching off at night so that the rooms are only heated when necessary. In summer, on the other hand, air conditioning in the buildings is largely made possible by using the cold outside temperatures at night. Electric window openings provide the necessary draught.

We also launched the “BVS mobil!” employee program this year, which provides a subsidy for the purchase of bicycles or public transport tickets. Some employees cycle around 5,000 km a year to get to BVS. Over several years, that is a considerable amount of avoided CO2 emissions. The next ambitious plans are to install a solar energy system. We will continue to examine and implement sustainable measures in order to preserve an environment worth living in for future generations.

Pictures: BVS Blechtechnik