Our Commitment to the Environment and Nature
The production of perforated sheet metal and sheet metal parts is energy-intensive and requires significant amounts of raw materials and logistics. Graepel manages these processes with the goal of reducing environmental impact and using resources efficiently.
Our environmental strategy includes the use of renewable energy and energy-efficient technology, regional sourcing, forward-thinking facility design, and the use of external assessments to evaluate our operations.
Energy Efficiency and Emissions Reduction
A key component of our efforts to reduce energy consumption and emissions is the use of renewable energy. Since late 2021, we have been operating a 435.2 kWp photovoltaic system on the roof of our plant in Löningen. The system covers an area of approximately 25 × 150 meters and feeds the generated electricity directly into our internal grid. This reduces the need for externally sourced energy for the production of perforated sheet metal and sheet metal parts. We also operate a photovoltaic system at our site in India. In addition, we already source approximately 65% of our electricity from renewable sources.
At the same time, we are continuously optimizing the energy efficiency of our production. Measures include lighting, compressed air systems, and plant technology, which are regularly reviewed and improved. This is based on our energy management system in accordance with ISO 50001. In addition, we are gradually converting our vehicle fleet to electric vehicles in order to reduce emissions in the area of mobility as well.
Biodiversity and Landscape Design
At our sites, we create flower beds and natural areas to provide habitats for insects and other species. These areas contribute to a diverse environment around our plants and serve as a visible symbol of our commitment to biodiversity conservation.
These areas are maintained in coordination with regional partners. This allows us to combine operational requirements with ecological goals.
Recycling rate and material cycle
Metal is a material with a very high recyclability rate. Perforated sheets and sheet metal parts from Graepel can be almost entirely returned to the material cycle. This advantage is evident throughout the entire product life cycle—from the sorting of residual materials by type, to their transfer to certified recycling partners, to their return to the raw material cycle.
We also place great emphasis on the careful use of resources in production. Through optimized cutting planning and precise manufacturing processes, we keep scrap volumes as low as possible. Residual materials generated during punching or forming are fully collected and sent for recycling. This keeps the material in the cycle and allows it to be reused for industrial applications.
Our ISO 14001 environmental management system supports this approach. It lays the foundation for the continuous improvement of our processes with regard to resource efficiency, material usage, and environmental compatibility.
Water as a Resource
In addition to the responsible use of raw materials, the sustainable use of water in our production processes also plays an important role. The wastewater generated during manufacturing is technically treated and pH-neutralized before being discharged into the public sewer system.
In addition, we continuously invest in technical measures to reduce water consumption. The commissioning of an oil separator at the Läningen site in 2023 enabled water consumption to be reduced by nearly 30% between 2022 and 2024.
These measures help ensure the sustainable use of water in production while minimizing environmental impact.
