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 goal: “We will reduce our specific greenhouse gas emissions by 33% by 2030 (vs. 2012).”
Dr. Jutta Matreux, Nünchritz site manager / Dr. Peter von Zumbusch, Burghausen site manager
Our Answer: Supply Environmentally Sound Products, Boost Energy Efficiency and Promote Renewables
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“By 2030, we will lower our specific energy consumption by 15%.”
Stefan Seidel, Head of Energy Management at the Burghausen site
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.
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
We would be happy to assist you with any questions you may have concerning sustainability at WACKER.
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