Sustainability strategy

For us, the company and the environment are inextricably linked. As an independent, crisis-resistant medium-sized company, we stand for healthy and sustainable growth. For us, this means acting in a socially and ecologically responsible manner.

The conscientious use of resources and responsibility towards future generations are central components of our philosophy. For this reason, we rely on a certified environmental and energy management system and an environmentally friendly supply chain.

Zeller+Gmelin is comprehensively certified in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001:2015, environmental management DIN ISO 14001:2015 and energy management DIN ISO 50001:2018.

In an extensive project, Zeller+Gmelin and its subsidiaries Südöl and Fluidmanagement determined the_{CO2 balance} at the Eislingen site. The principle of the triad was applied in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol, which came into force in 2005. The Kyoto Protocol was replaced by the Paris Agreement in 2015.

For environmental reporting, Zeller+Gmelin follows the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, a widely used standard for environmental reporting. In accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, the company’s own emissions are divided into three areas, as shown in the chart below.

Scope 1 (direct emissions from controlled sources), for example: consumption of natural gas, propane, heating oil, refrigerants and waste incineration.

Scope 2 (indirect emissions from the purchase of energy), for example: electricity, district heating

Scope 3 (indirect emissions from the supply chain), for example: business travel (airplanes and cars), hotel accommodation, employee commuting, waste generation / waste water in the company, consumables in production and offices.

Measures

Numerous energy-saving projects, optimization measures and technical measures implemented in the course of certification according to the globally valid energy standard DIN EN ISO 50001:2018 have significantly reduced the_{CO2 value}.

Utilization of waste heat

Energy optimization through the use of heat pumps can make better use of residual heat.

• Warming of raw materials
• Heating domestic hot water
• Heating energy, e.g. for air conditioning the production halls
• Cooling energy, e.g. for cooling raw materials

Renewal of the cooling water system

One important component was the modernization of the entire cooling water system. The new system works very energy-efficiently with a high degree of efficiency!

• Fluctuations in flow temperatures have been significantly reduced
• Increasing the recooling capacity of the cooling water
• Better use of the energy from the returning condensate and cooling water

Investment in photovoltaic systems

We want to increase our own generation from renewable energies. For this reason, we are increasingly using photovoltaic systems.
For example, passenger elevators are powered by photovoltaics, which generate electricity when they descend, which in turn is fed back into the grid.

Use of green electricity

To further implement_{CO2 neutrality}, we only use green electricity. In 2020, we started to expand the purchase of electricity from renewable sources with corresponding guarantees of origin.

Further measures

• Insulation of pipes and systems
• Modernization of the compressor system
• Use of more energy-efficient transformers
• All new buildings are planned with climate neutrality in mind

Our commitment to science-based climate targets

We have been accepted into the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) with our near-term commitment. The SBTi is a global climate action initiative launched by CDP, the UN Global Compact, WRI, and WWF. It supports companies in setting science-based climate targets—in line with the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement.