Liebherr step up efforts to be 'green'

Liebherr, one of the foremost manufacturers of cranes in the world is to invest a considerable sum of money into modifying its vast factory at Biberach an der Riss in Germany. The factory, which makes Liebherr cranes and employs over 2000 members of staff, is to be reconfigured with environmental responsibility in mind, with the recycling of materials, renewable energy, sustainable resources and efficient usages of energy being the primary objectives.

The huge production centre has already been covered with solar panels, which span acres, rendering the plant photovoltaic and capable of an output of 3 Megawatts. This system of renewable energy can generate 2.6 million kWh per annum, and this system also dramatically reduces the amount of carbon dioxide produced and emitted, with 2500 tons less produced in a given year.

Also crucial is the recycling and minimisation of waste, and to this end, there are three material collection points; one for each work area. The collection points are easy to access, and feature a colour-coding system which allows easy identification. They are capable of reusing cardboard, paper, plastic and glass, as well as other more industrial materials.

The contamination of ground water was another concern, and this has been addressed in a number of ways: double-sealed foundations now feature below all processing machines; foundations are also subject to a special coating process, and sheet metal lines the excavation trenches, in order to ensure that they are impermeable. Materials that can be reused are reused, with a salient example being the cooling lubricants, which, after use on a machine, are collected and then sent to a unit which distils, cleans and separates the lubricant from the collected machine oil. The cooling water is also cleaned, re-cooled, and then reintroduced into the lubricant.

The processing machines are equipped with air suction equipment, which reuse the hot air produced by the machines in order to heat the production areas. This not only reduces the consumption of energy, but is cost effective as well. All paintwork uses water soluble paint, and the processing machines are liveried in noise-reducing material, in order to cut down on noise pollution. The commitment to the environment does not stop at the factory gates; aside from being a major force in the new and used cranes sector, Liebherr also utilise their Biberach plant to create crucial components for the systems which harness wind power to create energy.