Energie

Green electricity and local solar energy for more self-sufficiency

Energy procurement at AKRO-PLASTIC

The production and processing of plastics place high demands on the energy supply. This makes efficient processes, security of supply, and a responsible approach to energy even more important for us. That is why we have been sourcing 100% electricity from renewable energy sources since 2019. In addition, our main plant in Niederzissen will in future be supplied directly via a local ground-mounted PV system, which will cover a relevant share of our electricity needs and further increase our self-sufficiency. Installing a PV system on our own roof areas is not possible due to technical reasons.

Energy efficiency through modern technologies

We continuously work to reduce our energy demand and make our processes more efficient. In addition to our ongoing ISO 50001 certification since 2012, we use a fully integrated, technologically advanced energy management software to collect key metrics and control systems. Furthermore, together with our sister company FEDDEM GmbH & Co. KG, we have further developed our ICX® compounding lines and established comprehensive energy and process monitoring. A digital twin of our production process allows us to adjust equipment more precisely and operate it with greater energy efficiency.

Additional measures to reduce energy consumption include:

Continuous optimization and monitoring of our conveyor technology

Step-by-step transition of our vehicle fleet to electromobility

Optimization of our process technology (e.g., temperature control of the extruders)

Stable power grid through peak load management

An important component of our energy management is active peak load management. Peak loads lead to short-term high power demands, thereby straining grid connections and power grids. Through intelligent control of our systems, we reduce these peaks and thus help relieve the power grid.

Our vision for the future

We will continue to consistently rely on renewable electricity in the future. In addition, we want to further regionalize our energy supply and, in the longer term, supplement it with local renewable energy sources, such as wind energy. Initial measures, e.g., keeping transformer connections clear, are already being taken. Additionally, we are exploring innovative approaches to make our energy supply more regional, independent, and resilient in the long term.