Work is in full swing at Eco3's offset plate plant in Germany. At a cost of three million euros, the site of the Belgian manufacturer, a former branch of Agfa, will be equipped with a regenerative thermal oxidation (RTO) air purification unit, replacing an old afterburner system.
The RTO process is based on the thermal destruction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in residual gases from the manufacturing process. The pollutants are burned at high temperature in an oxidation chamber, with an integrated heat recovery system ensuring greater overall energy efficiency.
The new plant, which will come on stream at the end of the year, will be dominated by a 26-metre chimney and integrated into the industrial park's shared energy system. The steam required for operation will be supplied by local operator InfraServ Wiesbaden (ISW), also a project partner.
25% reduction in CO2 emissions during offset plate production
According to figures announced by Eco3, the system will cut CO2 emissions by around 25% compared with the previous configuration.
For Christian Tebroke, CEO of Eco3, this investment is a major step forward "a clear signal to boost production" of the site, which "an essential part of Eco3's global production network" and, consequently, of its "medium-term strategy".
And previously, at the request of its customers, Eco3 has had the carbon footprint of its offset plates assessed by the independent organization Telusio from raw material extraction to product delivery. Although 75% of the environmental impact comes from the use of aluminum, this new facility will help reduce this environmental footprint.
