Solingen automotive supplier with an ambitious climate strategy

According to owner Jörg Püttbach, the industrial company plans to be CO2-neutral by 2025. "Wherever technically feasible, we have always intensively exploited the potential for resource conservation and environmental protection - throughout the entire group of companies," emphasizes Püttbach with reference to the use of self-generated solar power or wastewater-free systems at the numerous BIA locations.

In addition to corporate responsibility, the market is also an increasingly strong driver of sustainability strategies: "The demands of the automotive industry for climate-neutral products are becoming ever louder," explains Jörg Püttbach and he is certain that: "With our goal to achieve climate neutrality by 2025, which is a sporting challenge for an electroplating company, we would certainly be pioneers in our industry! "

To achieve this goal will undoubtedly require not only savings in one's own company, but also compensation measures and the purchase of green electricity. Nevertheless, BIA wants to save up to five percent CO2 every year through its own projects. To increase energy efficiency, all processes and buildings at BIA are therefore continuously monitored and optimized. "This starts with the planning of new systems and processes as well as the purchase of new machines," emphasizes Püttbach, “but also extends to all non-operational areas”.

The initiative includes, for example, the gradual conversion of the company's own vehicle fleet to electric vehicles, as well as converting all lighting in the company to LED technology. With the latter measure alone, the automotive supplier expects an annual saving of 54 tons of CO2 .

The most important role of the BIA climate strategy, however, is the reduction of energy and resources consumption in the very energy-intensive production processes, as well as generating and using its own energy sources. BIA set a clear example here a few years ago by installing one of the largest interconnected photovoltaic systems in the entire Solingen city area. This will be further expanded in 2021 and 2022, so that the system will deliver around 600 MWh of emission-free electricity after the final stage of expansion. Together with the electricity generated in the BIA's own combined heat and power plant (CHP), the company will save a good 274 tons of CO2 annually.

BIA Solingen is well on the way to becoming the first climate-neutral electroplating manufacturer. The Solingen location is thus a pioneer within the BIA group. "We are currently analysing the entire BIA Group to determine whether and how climate neutrality can be achieved," says Jörg Püttbach, referring to the total of six company locations in Germany and abroad.