Dr. Christian Sußner, Head of the Department of Environment, Technology and Construction of the Ludwigsburg district and Arno Maier, Climate Protection and Energy Agency Baden-Württemberg GmbH, presented representatives of the five companies with a certificate with the "ECOfit Betrieb" award for their commitment to corporate environmental protection at the closing event in Ludwigsburg's district hall. The participants each presented a measure that was developed as part of the project. Examples include the optimization of waste processes, heat recovery through new acquisitions, the refurbishment of buildings, the involvement of employees and compressed air audits.
In his welcome address, Sußner pointed out that the topic of climate protection is currently more topical than ever. "You are doing exactly the right thing," he said, confirming the companies' decision to take part in the ECOfit project. "ECOfit projects enable local authorities to integrate companies into their climate protection efforts," confirmed Mr. Maier.
Over the course of a year, the project participants were supported in eight joint workshops and also individually on site. In addition to reducing negative environmental impacts and cutting costs, the program creates the necessary foundations in the companies to set up a complete environmental management system at a later date with little additional effort. The process stimulated by ECOfit will leave a lasting mark even after the project has been completed. Topics such as the conscious and economical use of resources or the avoidance and separation of waste will become a matter of course and firmly anchored in the company's operations.
ECOfit is a cooperation project between the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Environment, Climate Protection and the Energy Sector, the Ludwigsburg district, the Baden-Württemberg Climate Protection and Energy Agency and the participating companies. The project is also
project is also supported by the Ludwigsburg Energy Agency (LEA) and the city of Ludwigsburg. It focuses on energy efficiency and operational environmental protection and helps companies not only to comply with relevant environmental regulations, but also to make targeted cost savings. In terms of content and organization, the companies were supported by the consulting firm Arqum from Stuttgart. Arqum advises companies, local authorities and ministries on issues relating to sustainable management and the introduction of quality, energy and environmental management systems.
To enable more companies in the Ludwigsburg district to participate in the ECOfit support program, the district will offer a further round of projects. Interested companies are welcome to contact the climate protection manager of the Ludwigsburg district in advance. Daniela Laßmann, Tel.: 07141-144 42837. e-mail: daniela.lassmann[at]landkreis-ludwigsburg.de.
Overview of the savings achieved by the ECOfit project in 2019:
Annual cost savings by area:
Energy: € 215,758
Raw materials/waste: € 4,212
Water/waste water: € 22,800
Other: € 4,689
Total: € 247,459
Annual material savings:
Total energy savings: 2 million kWh
Total savings in CO2 emissions: 1,120 tCO2 *
Water savings: approx. 2,900 m³ of water
Raw materials: approx. 2.6 tons
*Assumption: Conversion with national German average
