Germany is famous as an environmentally advanced country. The ecological lifestyle permeates every part of civic life and company activity. I want to look at an actual case from a mid-sized tape and label printing company that I visited in Neumarkt, Bayern, Germany.
As I entered the facility, I noticed that wooden pallets were piled up outside of the building. Later, I was told that they would be used as firewood burned to warm the factory as it was difficult to recycle them. The pallets were all different dimensions and were often delivered broken after long journeys from Asia or other continents.
Inside, there were ducts and exhaust fans on the ceiling that constantly circulated air. This air control system purified dirty air and put it back into the facility maintaining the temperature of the air. Hot air from the production facility was recycled to warm the air, which in turn saves costs. (see photo)
Even in Germany, this technology is relatively new with few companies running it. Moreover, the latest state of the art ecosystem technology had been installed to secure cooling water for printing. It did not cool the water electrically. The used water had been filtered and stored in underground tanks through water supply pipes. The temperature underground (20M below ground level) remained stable at 8 Celsius throughout the year. Then, the water was recycled by pumping it up to the factory once the temperature of the water was lowered.
The electricity reduced by these efforts is enough to supply 40 families for a year. How have they realized such an innovative energy-saving technology? I wondered if the company president takes initiative, studies and introduces new technology. The employee showing me around the company said, “I brought to fruition the president’s intention to promote environmental improvement and its enhancement.” I asked immediately, “Excuse me, but what is your job?” “I am assistant manager for the president’s special missions, my job is to actualize the president’s visions.” I was fully convinced of his answer.
Air control system for environment
