OBO is part of the energy revolution
Different measures at our international locations
A key resource for the production of over 30,000 OBO products is energy. Simply in terms of electricity, around 20 million kilowatt-hours are required each year just in all the production facilities at the German location in Menden. At OBO, we know that this requirement carries a great responsibility. That is why we are taking various measures at our international locations to address this responsibility and play an active part in shaping the energy transformation.
100% green electricity at our Menden location
OBO began the systematic conversion to 100% regeneratively generated natural electricity at the Menden site back in 2012. By choosing power from renewable sources we are reducing CO2 emissions by 9,800 tonnes per year. By way of comparison, this is how much CO2 would be created if around 1,000 OBO employees each travelled 56,000 kilometres by car in a year. To save such a quantity of CO2 in a biological way, it would be necessary to plant 783,000 beech trees. The pure origin of the green power is tested and certified according to strict guidelines by the TÜV Süd monitoring authority. The changeover to green power was a key step for OBO on the road to sustainability and an improved CO2 balance.
PV system supplies the Metal Competence Centre
OBO took another important step towards a more sustainable future in September 2023 with the commissioning of a photovoltaic system at the Menden site. With a total output of 2.3 MW, the PV system was installed on the roofs of the Metal Competence Centre and the logistics hall. Both buildings offered the ideal conditions for installing the system, such as a large enough area and sufficient light.
Live figures from the OBO PV system
The energy yielded by the PV system covers up to 30% of the electricity consumption for production and administration at the Metal Competence Centre. The remaining 20% of the power consumption is covered entirely by the aforementioned green energy.
OBO’s own photovoltaic system covers an area of 40,000 m² and delivers the following output levels:
- Annual output: 2,000,000 kWh
- Carbon saved per year: 1,401,600 kg carbon
- In comparison: To save this amount of CO2 through biological means, 40,000 trees a year would have to be planted
Good to know: In winter, there is also a positive outlook. Even in harsh winters, the snow crystals reflect the sun, meaning solar power is still produced on a smaller scale.
OBO Finland focusses on geothermal energy
OBO Finland has opted for geothermal energy to supply its sales and logistics sites. This can be used both for heating and cooling. Plus, the energy from the Earth’s core has no problem facing the 4–6 cold months of the year. Geothermal energy is considered an especially reliable and cost-effective power source. By making this switch, OBO Finland cuts its carbon emissions by 60%, reducing its consumption from 89,054 kg CO2 per year to just 35,561 kg.
Resource conservation: OBO Hungary leads the way
Our OBO site in Bugyi, Hungary, also relies on renewable energy: Here, PV systems are already installed on three company buildings, offering a peak performance of 50 kWp. They reduce the site’s carbon emissions by a total of 20,845 kg. The installation of additional systems on a significantly larger scale is already being planned. The site offers the perfect foundation, as both the statics of the flat roofs on the existing and planned halls and the geographical and meteorological conditions in Hungary are predestined for effectively harnessing solar power.
Of course, the responsible use of water resources is also a given for OBO Hungary. Industrial water used for cooling during production is used to flush the toilets in various buildings on site.
When it comes to heating buildings and halls, the OBO site in Bugyi also relies on various alternative solutions to produce heat as flexibly and sustainably as possible, or to take advantage of existing sources. For example, three halls use waste heat generated by the technology, heating around 100 injection moulding machines directly or indirectly through the warmth of the cooling water. Other halls are heated either with heat pumps or two wood chip boilers, which have been ensuring comfortable temperatures for over 10 years now. Compared with standard gas heating, the wood chip boilers save around 82,478 kg of carbon emissions per year. The new geothermal heat pump system on building C is scheduled for completion in mid-March 2024. This will reduce emissions by another 39,770 kg annually.
The project aligns with the following Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations
More OBO projects – ecological sustainability
Ecological sustainability
As a company operating globally, OBO has a great responsibility. We are aware of this and respond by conserving energy and resources.
Sustainable logistics – resource-efficient solutions for transportation and packaging
With innovative ideas and measures, we have managed to make the transportation, packaging and delivery of our products even more resource-efficient and sustainable.
Product innovations from recycled material
A key component of the OBO sustainability strategy is the increase of the material recycling component in production.
OBO products with environmental product declaration
Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) provide information on environmental impacts.
Material recycling
At OBO, production waste is not simply thrown away but, wherever possible, is recycled and put back into the production process.