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Spangenberg, 11. February 2023: WIKUS-Sägenfabrik is constantly improving and developing new strategies and measures for energy savings with a focus on gas-electricity heat recovery. This makes WIKUS a pioneer in the sawmill industry. In 2022, a new transformation concept for secondary heat use was implemented with the help of financial support from the German Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA). The measures already implemented were presented to District President Mark Weinmeister during his visit to the WIKUS headquarters in Spangenberg. A company presentation followed by a guided tour of the WI.com administration building were also part of the visit.
The goal of reducing the use of fossil fuels was already decided by WIKUS in 2021, and the implementation of measures was launched; thanks to environmentally friendly structural extensions such as the completion of the local heating pipeline, the consumption of fossil fuels was already reduced by 31.38% in 2022. In this context, the zero-gas strategy was expanded to a greater extent and production processes were switched completely to electricity as the primary energy source and the potential from process heat was harnessed. As a result, the integration of heat recovery from the compressors into the heating network achieved a heat recovery volume from compressor waste heat of 2,295,000 kWh.
The next step is to complete installation of the new 4-bar compressed air network in inline production in February 2023. This will result in annual savings of at least 300,000 kWh if applied to ten lines and further savings measures are implemented. Following the successful installation of a photovoltaic system on the roof of production hall 9 with a reduction of around 235.9 tons of CO2 solar carports in the Malsberg parking lot will also support the reduction of CO2 emissions in the future. For these and other environmentally friendly measures, WIKUS is striving for certification according to DIN EN ISO 14001 for environmental management systems.
“It is very satisfying to know that our region is home to forward-looking companies such as WIKUS, which recognize and implement new ideas and development potential and thereby move our region forward. The company WIKUS has examined savings potentials and technical alternatives on its own initiative. That’s why I was happy to advocate for the funding approval. Because in view of the energy crisis that is affecting us all, a sense of initiative and speed are essential,” said District President Mark Weinmeister.
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Diana Thiel, Marketing Officer