STEP-G’s future is carbon-neutral thanks to 100% green electricity

In this context, STEP-G is not only scrutinising its own production processes and searching for ways to reduce CO₂ emissions – it is also looking closely at its suppliers of base and operating materials, as well as its partners that provide ancillary services for its manufacturing processes. The first step towards implementing the company’s comprehensive sustainability strategy was the conversion of all German STEP-G locations to green electricity by 1 January 2022. The aluminium specialist was thus able to massively reduce its CO₂ footprint and eliminate almost 8,500 tonnes of CO₂ from its own manufacturing processes.

Edgar Gebhart, Managing Director at STEP-G, says: “By converting our locations to 100% green electricity, we are committed to sustainable and carbon-neutral operations as responsible members of society. The use of energy from renewable sources is just one of the points in our sustainability strategy, which will allow us to make a visible contribution as a supplier of aluminium solutions.” Markus Ogawa, Managing Director at STEP-G, is also positive about the conversion: “Green electricity is both climate-friendly and eco-friendly and ends our dependence on energy from fossil fuels. In this way, we are working towards a carbon-neutral future for STEP-G. Switching to 100% green electricity is not only necessary, but also a step in the right direction.” Furthermore, the company is even paying attention to the CO₂ footprint upstream of its own manufacturing processes. In this context, it now selects suppliers of base and operating materials on the basis of their sustainability, environmental performance and ecological balance sheet. Besides ensuring that they use a high percentage of green electricity, the proportion of recycled aluminium that these suppliers use – in the form of secondary aluminium – is another key factor. At the same time, the use and avoidance of primary aluminium were examined.

The company’s switch to renewable energy sources is being complemented by the long-term use of one of Saxony-Anhalt’s largest photovoltaic arrays at the STEP-G location in Hettstedt. The system generates eco-friendly electricity across a total area of almost 17,000 square metres, supplying at least 300 three-person households in cities and municipalities throughout Saxony-Anhalt with green energy. The self-generated electricity corresponds to a cover of 25% of the energy requirements of the STEP-G location in Hettstedt. As a result, 284 tonnes of CO₂ were saved last year by generating our own electricity.

BUG Aluminium-Systeme
Schachenstraße 14
88267 Vogt, Germany

Tel.: +49(0)7529 999 0
E-mail: bug.sales(at)step-g.com