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Sink specialist BLANCO opts for photovoltaics in Bruchsal
Reaching for the sun
Blanco, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sinks and the German market leader for mixer taps, is opting for natural solar energy.The company has installed a large photovoltaic system on the roof of its logistics centre in Bruchsal.3680 modules cover a total area of 7072 m² to provide environmentally friendly and sustainable electricity.Its peak output is 900 kilowatts, which will relieve the atmosphere of more than 600 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year.This investment in solar energy is part of a comprehensive sustainability programme that the Oberderdingen-based sink specialist first launched more than 15 years ago.The photovoltaic system was officially opened in January 25, 2012 with Bruchsal’s Lady Mayor Cornelia Petzold-Schick and other guests.
“We can truly make an active contribution to reducing fossil fuels with a photovoltaic system of these dimensions,” CEO Achim Schreiber is delighted to report.“As a manufacturing company, we try to be as careful as possible in our use of resources, and reduce them to the lowest economically feasible level.Above all, we can help to secure energy supplies for future generations – especially here in the south-west, on-site, without having to build new overhead power lines,” he adds.In terms of average private consumption, the energy produced by the photovoltaic system could supply around 250 four-person households with environmentally friendly electricity.
From the outset, it was clear that Blanco would also opt for the expertise and know-how of a regional provider for the installation.Within just a few weeks, international project company Wirsol Solar AG of Waghäusel as the general contractor had constructed the entire system on the flat roof of the approx. 17-metre high, square building close to the motorway.
For Wolfgang Schneider, CTO and responsible for environmental issues at Blanco, the investment in this photovoltaic system is the logical conclusion and in line with the company's corporate policy, which is based on sustainability.“To us, balancing ecology and economy and striving to permanently optimise processes and products is a matter of course.”In 1996, Blanco was one of the first companies in Germany to have its production of domestic sinks made of composite materials certified to EMAS, the EU’s Eco-Management and Audit Scheme.
The overall concept of economic, ecological and social sustainability is part of Blanco’s well-developed company ethos, and is actively lived.That is another reason why the company’s commitment to the careful use of resources, such as reducing energy consumption, is firmly anchored in its corporate and environmental guidelines.Furthermore, the company regularly publishes a comprehensive sustainability report for the public.In addition to various other ambitious activities, the new issue that is planned for the spring will include a report on the photovoltaic system in Bruchsal.
The BLANCO KT Group, based in Oberderdingen in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, is one of the world’s leading providers of high quality sinks and mixer taps for private kitchens.The kitchen technology specialist’s comprehensive range of products and innovations also includes practical waste separation systems and carefully matched accessories.
In addition to its head office in Oberderdingen (Baden-Württemberg), Blanco GmbH + Co. KG also has further sites in Germany in Bruchsal, Sinsheim and Sulzfeld, and other production sites in Toronto (Canada) and Istanbul (Turkey).The international company employs a workforce of some 1200, and sells its products all over the world.In 2010, BLANCO achieved a consolidated annual turnover of € 242 million.
The E.G.O. Blanc and Fischer Group is the majority shareholder in both the Blanco KT Group and the Blanco CS Group.Both companies belong to the Caux Round Table (CRT) and are committed to observing ethical business principles.
Captions:
Fig. 1:Blanco opts for solar energy.Blanco sealed the official commissioning of its new photovoltaic system on the roof of its logistics centre in Bruchsal with a symbolic touch of a button.Left to right:Achim Schreiber (DEO), Lady Mayor Cornelia Petzold-Schick, Wolfgang Schneider (CTO), Mathias Rüdele (Director of Blanco‘s Logistics Centre).
Fig. 2:Clean energy:that’s the motto in Blanco’s Logistics Centre.As of now, the sink and mixer tap specialists is using the vast roof of its 17-metre high, modern building for the environmentally friendly and efficient production of energy.3680 modules reach up towards the sun, providing a peak output of 900 kW.The system will relieve the atmosphere of more than 600 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year.The investment in the new photovoltaic system is part of the Oberderdingen-based company’s extensive sustainability programme.
Photos:Blanco
englKT031 / photovoltaic system 01-2012