The German metal industry is actively committed to reducing CO2-emissions. The non-ferrous metals industry plays a central role in this, with innovative processes and products. For its exemplary performance in CO2-For its emissions savings, the Voigt & Schweitzer Group (ZINQ) was honoured by the Metalle pro Klima initiative with the Best Practice Award. The resource-efficient microZINQ® thin-film piece galvanising surface not only reduces zinc consumption by 80 % but also cuts CO₂ emissions by a significant margin.2 and thus counts among the three main prize-winner examples.

On 17.10.2017, the Best Practice Award for exceptional climate protection contributions in the non-ferrous metals industry was presented at Munich's Palais Lenbach. The „Metalle pro Klima“ (Metals for Climate) corporate initiative already honoured particularly energy- and resource-efficient processes in the sector in 2016. This year, CO2-saving products were appreciated.

The chairman of the Economic Committee in the Bavarian State Parliament and former Bavarian Minister for Economic Affairs, Erwin Huber, said in his laudatory speech:

„Industry and climate protection must be considered together. The Best Practice Award winners exemplify this ideal. They bring top performance in CO2Reduction.“

Besides resource efficiency and the associated CO2-reduction enables microZINQ® to make a significant contribution to closed process and product cycles. duroZINQ® and microZINQ® are therefore the world's first Cradle to Cradle®-certified surfaces and already meet the requirements of the EU Circular Economy Directives. In 2015, capacity at the Hagen microZINQ® site was further increased with a new 7-metre plant. The total investment of 8 million euros also includes funding from the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund amounting to 1.7 million euros.

„In our piece galvanizing surfaces, we combine efficiency with effectiveness.
“The responsible, efficient use of resources combined with effective material selection is the decisive factor for successful, sustainable business," counters Lars Baumgürtel, managing partner of the ZINQ Group.

„The products we manufacture in our industry are genuine problem solvers for climate protection. In order to capture CO2 to reduce in the most diverse sectors, they are absolutely necessary,“ explains Ulrich Becker, deputy chairman of Metalle pro Klima. „Think, for example, of the energy sector, where an energy transition is only possible with non-ferrous metals.“

The best practice examples from the „Metals for Climate“ members serve as a model for the entire industry. They demonstrate the industry's current state and highlight the sector's innovative capacity.