SÜLZLE KOPF Anlagenbau gains second place in the GreenTec Awards

Together with business partner BHS-Sonthofen, the environmental and energy technology specialist SÜLZLE KOPF Anlagenbau gained second place in the GreenTec Awards, Europe’s largest environmental and economic awards event. In the “Recycling and Resources” category, the company of SÜLZLE Group convinced the jury with a process for the preparation of hydrocarbonaceous and CFC refrigerators. The “IC process” enables the cooling agents and propellants contained in the devices to be disposed of in an environmentally-friendly manner.

The professional recycling of refrigerators is an important task from an ecological perspective: Approximately three to four million devices are discarded every year in Germany alone. Each of these devices contains an average of half a kilogram of coolant and propellant and these would escape into the atmosphere if not correctly disposed of. “According to the German Environmental Aid, this amount corresponds to approximately 5,000 kilograms of CO2” said Peter Althaus, General Sales Manager of SÜLZLE KOPF Anlagenbau during his speech at the award ceremony. Thanks to the IC (Impact and Catalytic) process developed by the company in cooperation with the plant manufacturer BHS-Sonthofen, the escaping coolant is collected in a multi-stage exhaust gas purification process, converted into harmless substances and then re-used. “The IC process means we can currently dispose of 97 percent of the coolant and propellant contained in these devices and dispose of it in an environmentally-friendly way”, emphasised Althaus.

The sustainable technology also convinced the GreenTec Awards jury. Launched in 2008, the GreenTec Awards prizes are given to innovative green projects. It is one of the most coveted environmental awards in Europe. The candidates include both well-known companies and young minds with fresh ideas. The GreenTec Awards are awarded annually in 14 categories, ranging from vehicle mobility, energy-based construction/living, water and waste water to recycling and resources. The award ceremony on 29 May in Berlin’s Tempodrom was seen by around 1,000 guests from industry, science, politics, culture and the media. The welcoming speech was given by the Head of the Chancellery and former Environment Minister Peter Altmaier.

greentec award 2015 peter althaus suelzle kopf anlagenbau

Peter Althaus, General Sales Manager at SÜLZLE KOPF Anlagenbau, at the presentation of the 2015 GreenTec Awards in the Berlin Tempodrom (picture: www.greentec-awards.com)