EMAG Zerbst Maschinenfabrik: Status of CO2 reduction

In order to fully capture the CO₂ footprint of companies, the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP) standard was introduced, which divides emissions into three "scopes". Scope 1 refers to direct emissions caused by the company itself, e.g. by burning fossil fuels in heating systems or vehicles. Scope 2, on the other hand, refers to indirect emissions caused by the use of external electricity, heating or cooling. Scope 3 of the GHGP refers to indirect emissions that occur outside a company's direct control and production. These include emissions from the value chain such as the production of purchased materials, transport-related emissions, product use by the end user, and product disposal.

Scope 1: Direct GHG emissions
Scope 2: Indirect GHG emissions
Scope 3: Upstream and downstream GHG emissions

With regard to Scope 1, EMAG Zerbst Maschinenfabrik has made significant efforts to reduce its direct carbon footprint. This was achieved through a combination of energy efficiency measures and the integration of renewable energies.
Since 2013, investments have been made in energy-saving technologies, parts of the heating infrastructure have been modernized, and continuous temperature monitoring of the production facilities has been introduced.
A detailed description of the measures implemented can be found at:

CO2 reduction details

In terms of indirect CO₂ emissions from Scope 2, EMAG Zerbst Maschinenfabrik has made significant progress in reducing external electricity consumption. This was achieved through a combination of investments in more efficient technologies and equipment and the use of renewable energy sources.
The installation of photovoltaic (PV) systems makes a significant contribution to this.

In the case of EMAG Zerbst Maschinenfabrik, Scope 3 is challenging because it involves a number of complex and often external factors that are difficult to control and quantify.
For example, a key factor in Scope 3 is the emissions generated in the production and supply of materials and services that EMAG Zerbst procures from its suppliers. It requires deep engagement and collaboration with external partners, suppliers and customers, as well as strategic planning and implementation to make significant progress. However, through the environmental certification of its suppliers, the EMAG Group has taken an important step towards CO₂ neutrality in Scope 3.

CO₂ compensation

EMAG Zerbst Maschinenfabrik has decided to offset its remaining CO₂ emissions by supporting CO₂ compensation projects. In addition to energy optimization and the use of renewable energies, this is a further step towards CO₂ reduction.

The supported project complies with the Gold Standard VER (Verified Emission Reduction) and the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS). It has been validated and verified by accredited Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs) to ensure its effectiveness and transparency.

The project is based in Asia and focuses on the use of renewable energy. It contributes to increasing the share of renewable energy in regional and national power grids. By generating renewable energy, which in most cases replaces fossil fuels in the electricity mix, CO₂ emissions are reduced and households and public institutions are supplied with sustainable electricity.

In addition, we aim to reduce and optimize GHG emissions right from the start.

Details on CO₂ reduction

EMAG Zerbst Maschinenfabrik has been DIN ISO 50001 certified since 2013 and has since embarked on an ambitious path to CO₂ reduction. Sophisticated energy monitoring and a series of innovative measures have enabled the company to significantly reduce its energy consumption and establish a more environmentally friendly production method.

Reduction of power consumption

The company's electricity consumption has been almost halved since 2013.
The following projects contributed significantly to this:

Replacement investments with focus on power consumption
Improvement of compressor controls and acquisition of new compressors
Renewal of the cooling system for machine cooling
Reduction of the compressed air pressure
Conversion of all light sources to LED
Creation of shutdown rules for weekends and public holidays and raising employee awareness
successive replacement of obsolete technology, e.g. welding equipment
automatic switching off of hall lighting at break times

Reduction of gas consumption

At EMAG Zerbst Maschinenfabrik, only a very small amount of gas is used for process operations. The majority is used to heat the production areas in the winter months. In addition, a switch to bio-methane gas was made for the year 2023.

A reduction in gas consumption was achieved through the following measures:

Renewal of the heating system
Establishment of continuous temperature monitoring and lowering of the hall temperature to 19-20 °C during the heating period.
Successive conversion of propane gas forklifts to electric forklifts

Use of photovoltaics

The installation of photovoltaic systems with a capacity of 2.6 MWp has greatly reduced external electricity purchases.

Around 30 % of the electricity required is generated on site by the photovoltaic systems. The electricity not consumed by the company itself is fed into the grid.