Award-Winning Sustainable Recycling
Austrian-based company Saubermacher won the TRIGOS Steiermark 2019 award in the category of climate protection. The price has been awarded to the High-Tech-Recycling Facility – which has been opened the previous year – for the recycling of lithium-ion batteries. The environmental pioneer has received the award during a gala in the old university in Graz.
Valentin Stein – Saubermacher AG, Herta Stockbauer – Hostess and Chairwoman of the BKS Bank, Gerhard Ziehenberger – Member of the Executive Board, COO, Saubermacher AG, Stefan Siegl – Saubermacher AG, Laudator Teresa Habjan of the IV Steiermark and Hans Roth – Saubermacher AG (f.l.t.r.) – Photo: Hannes Krainz
The internationally operating company has won the price for its sustainable economic activities. At the location of Redux Recycling in Bremerhaven (Germany) – a company of the Saubermacher Group – the recycling facility for lithium-ion batteries has won the outstanding first place in the category of climate protection. During years of research work, Saubermacher and Redux developed processes and techniques. Now, the facility processes all kinds of lithium-ion batteries and is equipped with a capacity of 10.000 tons per year. With this innovative proceeding, Redux reaches recycling rates, which are above the legal target value by up to 40 percent.
Production of raw materials 4.0
Lithium-ion batteries are heterogenic to a high degree regarding their composition and have a high energy content even at the end of their life. Accordingly, the recycling of these batteries is difficult. Thus, high-security standards are necessary. Therefore, Saubermacher and Redux rely on a multilevel procedure with a sorting line as well as mechanical processing. “We are able to reach recycling rates of up to 70 percent in contrast to other methods”, informs Gerhard Ziehenberger, COO of Saubermacher AG. It is possible to recover secondary raw materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, copper or active material. The energy, which is recovered in the course of discharging, is injected in the operating network of Redux.
Social responsibility
Every year the TRIGOS Steiermark is awarded to companies which live for social and public responsibility by conviction. “Saubermacher attaches high importance to the ecological and social responsibility since business formation. To recognize our responsibility towards the company, society and the environment is a matter, that is extremely close to my heart. Therefore, we have even put this into writing – in the company’s code of ethics,” explains Hans Roth, owner and chairman of the supervisory board of Saubermacher, who is delighted at winning the award.
About Saubermacher
Saubermacher Dienstleistungs AG is an international waste management and recycling company based in Feldkirchen near Graz (Austria). The family business was founded by Hans and Margret Roth in 1979 and is a competent partner for around 1.600 municipalities and about 42.000 companies. The company employs about 3.200 staff members in Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia and in the United Arab Emirates. Saubermacher has won first place in the sustainability assessment of GRESB. Accordingly, the environmental pioneer is the most sustainable waste management company worldwide.
Photo: Saubermacher AG
(GR 22019, Page 18-Advertorial)
