Wall of a dam and reservoir clear_16x9

Energy & Climate

We want to significantly contribute to climate protection and leave a world that’s worth living in for future generations.

Greenhouse gases, climate change and climate protection – one term plays a key role in all of these topics: carbon dioxide, or CO2. It is generated during the combustion of carbon-containing substances, including all fossil fuels.

„Our objective: By 2030, we will halve our absolute greenhouse gas emissions.”

Dr. Jutta Matreux, Site Manager Nüchritz / Dr. Peter von Zumbusch, Site Manager Burghausen

Our Answer: Supply Environmentally Sound Products, Boost Energy Efficiency and Promote Renewables

Polysilicon chunks

Our Products for Climate Protection

Many of our products help save energy or harness renewable energy. One example is our hyperpure polysilicon for photovoltaic modules with which we are contributing to the success of the energy transition. Our edge: by international standards, WACKER’s polysilicon has an exceptionally low specific carbon footprint in production and facilitates the manufacture of particularly efficient solar cells.

Our Focus on Energy Efficiency

With our highly integrated production systems, especially at our largest sites in Burghausen and Nünchritz, we are constantly streamlining our processes as regards maximum material usage and energy efficiency.

Find out more about our integrated production systems

Electricity from Hydropower Plant

Norwegian power producer Statkraft and chemical company WACKER have signed agreements to secure that around 40 percent of the electricity needs at the silicon metal production site at Holla in Norway will be met by green electricity from hydropower in the future.

Find out more

“By 2030, we will lower our specific energy consumption by 15%.”

Marina Baumgartner / Dr. Antje Steinbrück, Energy Management WGER (WACKER Germany)

Alzwerke hydroelectric facility in Burghausen clear_16x9

Hydroelectric power: a sustainable source of energy

The Burghausen site has been supplied with electricity from Wacker Chemie AG’s “Alzwerke” hydroelectric facility for almost a century.

Average annual production is 265 GWh.

Solar installation on a flat roof clear_16x9

The future lies with solar power

At our Allentown site, solar energy produced in-house accounted for about a quarter of the site’s electricity needs in 2020.

Carbon Footprint as a Key Management Tool

We use the Group’s carbon footprint to monitor the effectiveness of climate protection measures. As well as direct emissions (Scope 1), we track indirect greenhouse gas emissions from procured energy (Scope 2), and all emissions produced along the supply chain (Scope 3). We have been reporting this data to the CDP since 2007.

Avoiding High Energy Costs

With our power plants at Burghausen and Nünchritz, we produce energy (electricity and steam) ourselves, making us less dependent on external electricity prices. Competitive energy costs are essential for sustainable production in Germany.

Contact icon

Contact

We would be happy to assist you with any questions you may have concerning sustainability at WACKER.

Send a message