Sustainability and energy management in the flock industry

· Lecture Content

"A sustainable development is one that satisfies the needs of the present

without compromising the conditions of future generations."

The presentation „Sustainability & energy Management in the flock industry“ by Michael Wagner, CEO of Maag Flock, at the 26th International Flock Symposium of the Flock Association Europe in Barcelona is about different sustainability approaches and efficient energy management in mechanical engineering and the flo- cking industry.

The term sustainability is on everyone‘s lips as a current megatrend. Many companies are developing various sustainable strategies and Corporate Social Responsibility concepts in order to respond to the sustainability requirements of their customers.

During his presentation, Michael Wagner will show various application examples and possible concepts of how this trend can be profitably introduced and implemented for customers in the flocking industry.

These include, a holistic plant concept in consideration of the factors of energy and cost efficiency across the entire value chain, process optimization, closed-loop models and the use of sustainable raw materials.

In addition to the benefits that such concepts & strategies have for sustainability, they also serve to increase productivity, reduce costs and increase the longevity of products.

· Maag Flock GmbH

In summary, 6 major actors are recognized in the flocking industry:

"INGENUITY FOR GENERATIONS"--family-owned & forward-looking

Maag Flock was founded in 1992 and has developed into one of the world market leaders in the flocking in- dustry. Today, the mechanical engineering company is managed across generations and forward-looking.

Innovation out of passion: Our work is our passion. We work with dedication for what we do and strive every day to inspire our customers.

Longevity and technological progress are our focus. Our corporate philosophy „Ingenuity for generations“, embodies this. We can always be better and always optimize ourselves. With this mindset, we focus on the intervention of solutions and find the optimal solution for each industry with competence and passion.

· Sustainability

Term is associated, among other things, with longevity and environmental protection. Important building blocks according to BmWi:

· Circular economy

· Climate protection

· Energy transition

· Trade

· Innovation

· Digitalization

· Sustainable finance strategy

Agenda 2030 for sustainable development with the goal of initiating various measures within 15 years to improve living conditions on the entire planet. At the same time, to ensure protection of the earth for future generations.

Standards

· Basic standard: DIN EN ISO 14001

 · Energy management: ISO 50001

· Emissions: EU ETS

· Climate neutrality: PAS 2060

· Social responsibility: SA8000

· Sustainability line: ISO 26000

· Sustainable Value Chains

Value chain sustainability forms the link between value chain and sustainability management with the aim of managing and adding value to environmental, social and economic impacts as well as promoting good gover- nance throughout the life cycle of products and services.

Instruments for integrating sustainability into the value chain are standards, certifications and a code of con- duct.

In addition to the sustainability aspect, the integration of sustainability into a company‘s own value chain offers competitive advantages in the form of improved performance, a higher ROI and measurable brand en- hancement.

· Sustainability in the Flocking Industry

· Flock & Adhesive

· Sustainable raw materials and processes for the production of flock fibers:

· Production possible with biopolymers from renewable raw materials

· Natural fibers, organically grown, recyclable, low CO2 production

· Recycled polyester (Reduction of waste & saving of raw materials)

· Viscose (recycled cellulose) using N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (less harmful to the environment than pure plastic fibers)

· Sustainable adhesives:

· Solvent-free, water-based and therefore harmless to humans and nature (15% better life cycle assessment than solvent-based adhesives)

· Positive impact on health & safety in the workplace

· More cost-effective

· Plant design

· For example, as modular systems or light construction

· ensures longevity and thus resource conservation

· design of an efficient flock process with the help of sensors that check all parameters

· Maintenance & servicing offer serves to extend the life of a plant

· Flock cycle and recirculation

· variable flock dosing

· Process data monitoring

· Engines with less energy use

· Energy management

· Heating pump:

A heat pump uses energy from the environment  and  converts  it  into heat. To  do this, the  existing  heat contained  in  water,  soil,  air  or  ex- haust air is first fed to the refrigerant using a heat exchanger (evaporator).

· Energy recovery dryer:
The   Energy   recovery  dryer  works with the help of a heat pump. This saves up to 80% energy compared to conventional dryers.

· Our contribution

· Regional sourcing of raw materials Regional suppliers

· Sustainable partnerships

· Selection of suppliers based on various criteria (for example energy management)

· consulting our customers on the use of dispersion adhesives and flock fibers made from sustainable materials such as viscose Maag Flock training to reduce the scrap

· we advise according to Holistic Circular Economy

· we support the creation of new fibers from recycled materials such as jeans, leather scraps or wood

· Our Promise

· Maag Flock GmbH stands for know-how, durability and technological progress. The products and systems    developed by us enable our customers to position themselves sustainably on the market and to ensure their success.

· Together with our partners, our company will continue to create future-oriented products, open up new markets and develop groundbreaking processes from ideas, in line with our mission statement "Ingenuity for generations".

· With innovative strength, quality, passion and commitment, we confidently face the challenges of the future.

This article is reprinted with permission from the European Flocking Association. Unauthorized secondary distribution is prohibited