The electroplating industry is suffering from high energy prices. However, the industry has either not implemented many energy-saving measures at all or only to a limited extent. In many places, the necessary knowledge is lacking. A seminar held on June 13 at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA) in Stuttgart highlighted ways to achieve climate neutrality. 36 contract and in-house electroplating plants took part.
Particularly in energy-intensive industries such as electroplating, it is crucial to take measures to save energy and use renewable energies. The industry is suffering from persistently high energy prices and must significantly intensify its efforts on the path to climate neutrality. However, the opportunities for reduction in German electroplating companies often remain untapped or could be exploited to a much greater extent - savings of 10 to 20 % are quickly possible. However, there is often a lack of capacity to implement appropriate measures. Or there is a lack of knowledge about which measures have which effect. In addition, energy consumption is often not recorded at process level, meaning that efficiency measures cannot be derived in a targeted manner.
Verena Lampret from Fraunhofer IPA presents a technology roadmap on the path to climate neutrality in the seminar "Paths to climate neutrality in electroplating" (Photo: Fraunhofer IPA)
The sector needs practical approaches, best practice from industry and funding opportunities to provide small companies with limited personnel with concrete instructions for action. Experts from these three areas came together at Fraunhofer IPA on June 13, 2023 for the seminar "Paths to climate neutrality in electroplating" to share their experiences. The participants - 36 specialists and managers from contract plating and in-house electroplating plants - showed particular interest in efficiency technologies, renewable energies and digitalization measures.
The three most important steps
According to the speakers, these three topics are also the most important steps on the road to climate neutrality. The introduction of an intelligent energy management system is the prerequisite for precisely determining energy consumption, identifying potential savings, increasing energy efficiency and reducing costs, as representatives of B+T GmbH demonstrated at the seminar. For example, Moosbach & Kanne GmbH, a contract coater from Solingen, was able to reduce itsCO2 emissions by 45% by implementing efficiency measures such as exhaust air heat recovery, the installation of a photovoltaic system and a combined heat and power plant. And Rieger Metallveredlung GmbH & Co KG, a contract coater from Steinheim am Albuch near Heidenheim, has already embarked on the path to becoming a climate-positive company with photovoltaics and the use of efficient components and systems. At the seminar, representatives from Airtec Mueku GmbH and WRS Energie GmbH pointed out the high savings potential for exhaust air and compressed air, according to which efficiency measures can pay for themselves within a short period of time.
The integration of energy systems requires careful planning and adaptation of the infrastructure in order to meet the requirements of the electroplating process
Orientation workshop at the Fraunhofer IPA
However, the integration of these energy systems requires careful planning and adaptation of the infrastructure in order to meet the requirements of the electroplating process. To take the first step towards climate neutrality, an orientation workshop can be held at Fraunhofer IPA. A team from the institute works with the company to identify and prioritize the appropriate measures. The Electroplating Technology department at Fraunhofer IPA is also available as a contact partner.
