Viessmann Group awarded National Energy Globe award – strategic sustainability project

Viessmann’s ‘Efficiency Plus’ scheme adds the National Energy Globe award for sustainability in Germany to its long list of accolades.

Viessmann, one of the leading international manufacturers of heating systems, has been presented with a National Energy Globe award for its ‘Efficiency Plus’ initiative by the Austrian Energy Globe Foundation at the company’s Allendorf headquarters in Germany.

The international jury praised Viessmann’s ‘Efficiency Plus’ scheme, which has reduced the company’s consumption of fossil energy by two thirds and cut CO2emissions by more than 80 percent, since its launch in 2006. By employing a combination of initiatives such as improving pipework insulation and using geothermal energy to reach these results, the jury felt the company's example demonstrates that the European Union’s energy and climate policy goals for 2020 can be reached with the available technology on the market today.

The panel was also impressed by how Viessmann’s integrated energy concept, in which the company has invested over 220 million Euros, has extended to other company sites around the globe. Locations in Austria and the UK, for example, are being installed with carbon-neutral energy supplies, and production efficiency globally has already increased by 20 percent; meaning the investment will be paid off within six to eight years.

Dr. Martin Viessmann, Viessmann managing partner, said: "As sustainability is one of our six clearly defined principles, we constantly review and review the ‘Efficiency Plus’ scheme to ensure we are mindful of the impact all our products and processes place on the environment. This year, a second biogas plant will open at our Allendorf headquarters, which will increase our usage of renewables at the site to approximately 80 percent. It is my hope that political decision makers will likewise create a framework for successful implementation of a sustainable energy policy.”

Founded in 1999, the Energy Globe awards intend to present successful sustainable projects which conserve and protect the Earth’s resources or employ renewable energy. The national awards recognise the best project submission from each country, with a global award on offer for the best initiative overall. Competing in this year's competition were some 800 projects submitted by companies from over 151 countries.

Viessmann and the environment.

Viessmann has a long history of taking bold, impactful steps to address environmental and sustainability issues:

• It has been developing and manufacturing heating systems for the utilisation of renewable energy (e.g. heat pumps, solar thermal systems and biomass boilers) for more than 30 years.
• It has pioneered many environmentally compatible products, such as the MatriX burner for clean combustion, which won a European Business Award for the Environment.
• It was the second company in Germany and the first in its sector to be certified according to the EMAS (Eco-management and Auditing Scheme) standard.
• It received the German Sustainability Award 2009 for its production facilities and the German Energy Agency’s (dena) ‘Energy Efficiency Award’ for its factory’s central heat recovery system which saved 10 GWh of gas and power and in excess of 3000 tonnes CO2 emissions per annum, compared to the initial situation.
• It was named ‘Most sustainable brand’ at the German Sustainability Awards 2011
• Viessmann’s managing partner, Dr. Martin Viessmann, was made an honorary Doctor of Science by the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2012 having worked in partnership for the university for many years, establishing biogas facilities on campus and in the surrounding area.
• Viessmann is committed to training its customers and employees on energy efficiency at the Viessmann academy and training centre at its German headquarters.

-       ends -

About Viessmann Limited

Viessmann Limited is part of the Viessmann Group of Companies which is one of the leading international manufacturers of heating systems. Founded in 1917, the family business is overseen by the chairmanship of Managing Partner Dr. Martin Viessmann. The Group has annual turnover of EUR 1.86 billion and employs a staff of approximately 9,600. Viessmann’s comprehensive product range encompasses all fuel types and applications, allowing it to deliver high quality, efficient and fully integrated solutions. With an output range of 1.5 to 116,000 kW, Viessmann offers oil and gas-fired boilers, solar thermal and photovoltaics, combined heat and power modules (CHP), ground, air and water sourced heat pumps and biomass boilers.

Press Enquiries

Judy Collins, Propel Technology, Bloxham Mill, Barford Road, Bloxham, Banbury, Oxfordshire, UK, OX15 4FF. +44 (0)1295 724130 / +44 (0) 7786 455045. judy@propel-technology.com

Tags: