Production with high resource efficiency
In an era of escalating raw material shortages, it is absolutely essential to think and act ecologically. Therefore, the circumspect use of our natural resources is an important element of our corporate culture.
Our environmental footprint is attributable to power and fuel consumption in production and distribution. In cooperation with Swiss Energy Agency (EnAW) and the myclimate Foundation, we have successfully implemented various environmental soundness measures in the past years. We can proudly report that with respect to CO2 intensity, we are on track and have accomplished the objectives defined in the target agreement as scheduled.
CO2-reduction - We're doing it
- Partnership with myclimate
Agreement with the myclimate Foundation for climate-neutral packaging.
- Membership to the Initiative SAVE FOOD
SAVE FOOD is a joint initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Messe Düsseldorf, and Interpack, the leading global trade fair for packaging and processes.
- New regenerative exhaust air purification system (RNV) and process optimisations
The new exhaust air purification system with heat recovery for thermal oil and hot water consumes much less energy than the old system. Air volumes that pass through the new equipment for drying processes have been optimized. The total annual savings amount to about 1000 MWh.
- 2003 Wipf AG joined the Swiss Energy Agency
Commitment with the Swiss Energy Agency (EnAW) to reduce CO2 emissions. The measures are reviewed in annual audits. In the past years, Wipf AG has implemented over 30 actions at the Volketswil plant.
It is our responsibility
- Paper recycling
Waste paper is 100 % recycled at Elco! Already in 2010, we returned 60 % of our paper waste to the material cycle. In 2020, every piece was collected and used again.
- Lighting
The office premises were equipped with energy-saving LED lighting, where possible additionally with presence detectors. This results in lighting energy savings of approximately 50 %.
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Heat recovery
Expansion of waste heat recovery in vacuum pump center - Elco AG now heats largely with stored heat from the production machines.
A lot of heat is generated during the production of our products. The approx. 120 degree hot air is stored in our heat accumulator via a heat exchanger. Our company building is heated to 90 % by this residual heat from our production. Thus, we only have to resort to our heating system when temperatures below 0 degrees are imminent. Since production already generates a lot of heat, this is additionally mixed with fresh air.
The optimization of waste heat utilization achieved a saving of 66 tons of CO2 in 2019 (level will be maintained for the ongoing years).
- Partnership with myclimate
Since 2009, the myclimate Foundation has been supporting Elco AG in its ecological development. This has created the prerequisites for CO2-neutral envelopes.
- Printing inks
The printing inks used for envelopes are solvent-free flexo print watercolours which are applied to the paper without additional drying. The own ink mixing equipment allows to meter the ink quantity precisely. Remaining inks are used for inside printing.
- Production
The production process and the building should correspond to state-of-the-art technology and be undertaken with ecologically aspects in mind. Production waste is sorted and recycled. Production waste water is purified in line with the regulations through the public three-stage purification plant. The buildings are heated using natural gas, contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gases.
Production with high resource efficiency
In an era of escalating raw material shortages, it is absolutely essential to think and act ecologically. Therefore, the circumspect use of our natural resources is an important element of our corporate culture.
Our environmental footprint is attributable to power and fuel consumption in production and distribution. In cooperation with Swiss Energy Agency (EnAW) and the myclimate Foundation, we have successfully implemented various environmental soundness measures in the past years. We can proudly report that with respect to CO2 intensity, we are on track and have accomplished the objectives defined in the target agreement as scheduled.
CO2-reduction - We're doing it
Agreement with the myclimate Foundation for climate-neutral packaging.
SAVE FOOD is a joint initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Messe Düsseldorf, and Interpack, the leading global trade fair for packaging and processes.
The new exhaust air purification system with heat recovery for thermal oil and hot water consumes much less energy than the old system. Air volumes that pass through the new equipment for drying processes have been optimized. The total annual savings amount to about 1000 MWh.
Commitment with the Swiss Energy Agency (EnAW) to reduce CO2 emissions. The measures are reviewed in annual audits. In the past years, Wipf AG has implemented over 30 actions at the Volketswil plant.
It is our responsibility
Waste paper is 100 % recycled at Elco! Already in 2010, we returned 60 % of our paper waste to the material cycle. In 2020, every piece was collected and used again.
The office premises were equipped with energy-saving LED lighting, where possible additionally with presence detectors. This results in lighting energy savings of approximately 50 %.
Heat recovery
Expansion of waste heat recovery in vacuum pump center - Elco AG now heats largely with stored heat from the production machines.
A lot of heat is generated during the production of our products. The approx. 120 degree hot air is stored in our heat accumulator via a heat exchanger. Our company building is heated to 90 % by this residual heat from our production. Thus, we only have to resort to our heating system when temperatures below 0 degrees are imminent. Since production already generates a lot of heat, this is additionally mixed with fresh air.
The optimization of waste heat utilization achieved a saving of 66 tons of CO2 in 2019 (level will be maintained for the ongoing years).
Since 2009, the myclimate Foundation has been supporting Elco AG in its ecological development. This has created the prerequisites for CO2-neutral envelopes.
The printing inks used for envelopes are solvent-free flexo print watercolours which are applied to the paper without additional drying. The own ink mixing equipment allows to meter the ink quantity precisely. Remaining inks are used for inside printing.
The production process and the building should correspond to state-of-the-art technology and be undertaken with ecologically aspects in mind. Production waste is sorted and recycled. Production waste water is purified in line with the regulations through the public three-stage purification plant. The buildings are heated using natural gas, contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gases.