At BORBET, we firmly believe that only through an active commitment to our environment can future generations live on a healthy, intact and biodiverse planet. We recognise that the production of alloy wheels leaves an ecological footprint due to the resources they require. However, we are committed to minimising this step by step.
Our aim is to reduce CO2 emissions, conserve resources and protect biodiversity along the entire value chain. We achieve this by implementing the guiding principle of "avoid instead of compensate" in all areas of the company. BORBET is resolutely committed to making a positive contribution and tackling challenges in harmony with our environment.
With this commitment, we are not only focussing on sustainable business practices, but also want to make it clear to our customers and partners that we take our responsibility for the environment seriously. BORBET goes an important step further and is actively committed to a future in which environmental protection and economic success go hand in hand.
Our aim is to reduce CO2 emissions, conserve resources and protect biodiversity along the entire value chain. We achieve this by implementing the guiding principle of "avoid instead of compensate" in all areas of the company. BORBET is resolutely committed to making a positive contribution and tackling challenges in harmony with our environment.
With this commitment, we are not only focussing on sustainable business practices, but also want to make it clear to our customers and partners that we take our responsibility for the environment seriously. BORBET goes an important step further and is actively committed to a future in which environmental protection and economic success go hand in hand.
The careful use of water as a resource is an important environmental protection goal. BORBET has therefore already implemented many measures in recent years and we are constantly looking for further opportunities for optimisation.
In particular, we are focussing on reusing process water that has already been used and improving the processes in the paint shops and waste water treatment plants.
In particular, we are focussing on reusing process water that has already been used and improving the processes in the paint shops and waste water treatment plants.
The production and processing of metal is complex and sometimes energy-intensive. Natural gas and electricity are the most important energy sources. For us, using energy efficiently is a question of both ecological responsibility and economic necessity. All our BORBET sites are certified in accordance with DIN EN ISO 50001.
In order to use existing resources, we rely on effective recycling for aluminium. Compared to other
raw materials, aluminium can be recycled without any loss of quality. This requires only around a tenth of the energy needed for raw production. When recycling, we return aluminium shavings generated during production to the cycle by melting them. This also applies to wheels that do not meet our quality requirements.
raw materials, aluminium can be recycled without any loss of quality. This requires only around a tenth of the energy needed for raw production. When recycling, we return aluminium shavings generated during production to the cycle by melting them. This also applies to wheels that do not meet our quality requirements.
Continuously improving the carbon footprint of our wheels is a high priority for us. In doing so, we not only rely on the increased use of green electricity at our locations, but above all on the sustainable procurement of our aluminium. Our primary aluminium suppliers are certified in accordance with the Performance Standard of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative.
CLIMATE PROTECTION
We cause emissions through the energy consumption of our production, but also through upstream and downstream activities in the value chain. BORBET is aware of its ecological responsibility. For us, economic success and sustainable production are not mutually exclusive; on the contrary, we see this as an opportunity for innovative companies. In addition to carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and air pollutants such as dust and nitrogen oxides are produced during production.
As BORBET mainly uses systems that require authorisation, specific limit values apply, compliance with which is regularly checked by the relevant licensing authorities. The authorities also specify which pollutants are to be measured by accredited measuring institutes and at what intervals. The results of the measurements must then be submitted to the licensing authorities.
To reduce CO2 emissions, we are focussing primarily on the following measures:
- More efficient use of energy in all production processes
- Resource-conserving handling of raw materials, especially aluminium
- Increasing the proportion of renewable energies in the electricity mix purchased
- Consideration of the CO2 balance of suppliers
In relation to Scope 3 emissions, our Scope 1 and 2 emissions are quite low. However, they are still important to us as we have the greatest influence on them. We have set ourselves specific targets for reducing them. For example, we want to continuously increase the proportion of renewable energy in our production.
Our site in Austria has been sourcing electricity from hydropower since 2021. By purchasing green electricity and implementing various reduction and efficiency projects in production, we aim to reduce our emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 30 percent by 2025 - compared to the base year 2017. We are aiming to reduce these emissions by 50 percent by 2030.
Our site in Austria has been sourcing electricity from hydropower since 2021. By purchasing green electricity and implementing various reduction and efficiency projects in production, we aim to reduce our emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 30 percent by 2025 - compared to the base year 2017. We are aiming to reduce these emissions by 50 percent by 2030.
WATER
The careful use of water as a resource is an important environmental protection goal. BORBET has therefore already implemented many measures in recent years and we are constantly looking for further ways to optimise our water consumption.
We mainly use fresh water from public water supply networks to operate our sites and for production processes, although we also use well water in Ranshofen (Austria). In 2021, BORBET required 393,703 cubic metres of water for the production of wheels. Most of the fresh water, 50 per cent of the total volume, is used by our paint shops. We mainly use the water there for rinsing processes or the preparation of aqueous solutions.
In order to reduce fresh water consumption, we are optimising our existing processes on the one hand and relying on new technical procedures on the other. In particular, we are focussing on reusing process water that has already been used and improving the processes in the paint shops and waste water treatment plants.
We need around 30% of the fresh water for quenching wheels in the foundries and heat treatment plants. In order to utilise the water as effectively as possible, we have now established a water cycle at all sites: To do this, we channel the heated water from the quenching basins into recooling systems, cool it down there and then pump it back into the basins.
We need around 30% of the fresh water for quenching wheels in the foundries and heat treatment plants. In order to utilise the water as effectively as possible, we have now established a water cycle at all sites: To do this, we channel the heated water from the quenching basins into recooling systems, cool it down there and then pump it back into the basins.
WASTE
Many raw materials and resources are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive worldwide. Using them efficiently is therefore all the more important. At the same time, materials must meet our high expectations in terms of quality and safety as well as certain environmental and social standards. In order to avoid waste from the outset, we are constantly improving our processes and technical procedures. For example, we use the flow-forming process to achieve greater strength and save material at the same time.
Despite all reduction measures and recycling efforts, waste cannot be completely avoided at the sites. It is made up of waste similar to household waste (e.g. paper/cardboard, plastic waste, wood) on the one hand and production-specific waste (e.g. bright turning chips, used processing emulsions, paint sludge) on the other.
In the case of new waste, we first check whether internal or external recycling is possible. If this is not the case, we aim for another form of recycling (e.g. thermal recycling). Only if this is also unsuitable do we send the waste for disposal. The majority of waste can be disposed of as non-hazardous waste.
RESOURCE CONSERVATION & CIRCULAR ECONOMY
In order to use existing resources, we rely on effective recycling for aluminum. Compared to other raw materials, aluminum can be recycled without any loss of quality. This requires only around a tenth of the energy required for raw production. When recycling, we return aluminum chips produced during production to the cycle by melting them. This also applies to wheels that do not meet our quality requirements.
BORBET is strongly committed to protecting biodiversity. In spring 2022, two sustainable projects were implemented in Kodersdorf: an unused area was converted into a wildflower meadow with a beehive. This step was taken in light of the 20% decline in bee colonies since 1990. The employees affectionately christened the queen bee "Hildegard". The colony of around 50,000 honey bees contributes to pollination within a radius of 4 kilometers. BORBET is also planting trees and creating flower meadows to promote ecological diversity.
Efforts to promote biodiversity are continuing, and beehives were installed at additional locations in Hochsauerland and Thuringia in 2023. BORBET is thus not only committed locally, but also as a role model for sustainable environmental measures in companies and communities.
Efforts to promote biodiversity are continuing, and beehives were installed at additional locations in Hochsauerland and Thuringia in 2023. BORBET is thus not only committed locally, but also as a role model for sustainable environmental measures in companies and communities.
CURRENT TOPICS
BORBET IMPLEMENTS SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTSIn Medebach (North Rhine-Westphalia), we replaced the conventional HQI lighting in other areas with LED lamps last year. The replacement represents a small building block in BORBET's sustainability strategy.
In Medebach (North Rhine-Westphalia), we replaced the conventional HQI lighting in other areas with LED lamps last year. The replacement represents a small building block in BORBET's sustainability strategy.
BORBET USES WASTE HEATAll BORBET sites have launched initiatives to reduce energy consumption. The use of waste heat at our melting furnaces was particularly successful. Burner air preheating was successfully introduced at the sites, where hot exhaust gas is passed through a heat exchanger to return energy to the burners.
All BORBET sites have launched initiatives to reduce energy consumption. The use of waste heat at our melting furnaces was particularly successful. Burner air preheating was successfully introduced at the sites, where hot exhaust gas is passed through a heat exchanger to return energy to the burners.
