Sustainability

COMMITMENT TO AN ACTIVE ecological POLICY

Ecological policy

By mapping out our ecological policy we define the principles of acting for all our enterprises in terms of environmental protection. It is binding for all employees at all our locations. We understand nature and human society as an integral part of the global eco-system that has to be kept balanced by all means. As a commercial enterprise we recognize our special responsibility for preserving the natural conditions of living. The rooting of eco-political principles in our corporate philosophy and the introduction of an environmental management system, first acc. to EMAS, later acc. to ISO 14001, were milestones on our road to sustainability.

Circular Economy at Wiesner-Hager

Anyone who embraces office culture in the sense of the New Work philosophy must also adopt a forward-looking approach. This is why our goal is to radically reduce the consumption of material resources and CO2 by reconditioning furniture that has reached the end of its useful life. In keeping with circular economy, it is important to reuse as many components of a piece of furniture as possible.

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In the inventory analysis, all material, energy and elementary flows - the so-called input - are first determined. These later leave the plant as output in the form of products, waste, emissions and waste heat. The difference between the sum of inputs and outputs is an important quality criterion for the inventory analysis. The smaller the deviation, the more comprehensive and accurate the inventory analysis was carried out.

Apart from the materials and their masses the energy flows have to be established and recognized.

Environmental Product Declarations

Environmental impact

The impact assessment is based on the scientific CML process, the method of influencing factors. The following environmental consequences are analysed and shown: the greenhouse effect (GWP), the depletion potential of the stratospheric ozone layer (ODP), the summer smog creation potential (POCP), the acidification potential of soils and water bodies (AP), the nutrification potential of soils and water bodies (NP), as well as the depletion of abiotic resources (ADP).

We consider the protection of the environment as a concern of vital significance. The management of the enterprise will review these eco-political guidelines at regular intervals with regard to new requirements, and it will establish procedures required for their effective implementation into operational practice and provide the necessary means.

Markus wiesner, Managing director of wiesner-hager

Sustainable Product Design

From the product specification to series maturity ecological requirements are always considered in the development process. This includes the selection of eco-friendly materials such as PEFC or FSC certified wood from forests cultivated according to sustainable forest management schemes, the use of recycled materials, or the use of more renewable primary products, to name but a few. To ensure that our products are recyclable to a great extent we largely avoid composite materials and develop dismountable constructions. Material designation, repairability and a harmonised service life of the components used are also important requirements on the product design.

Production Process

Energy-saving wood chip extraction

Automatic adaptation to the required extraction capacity
Lower power consumption (-30% corresponds to 80 kW)
Lower heat demand due to 100% hot air recovery in the heating period
Lower dust loads for employees and ambience (0.1 mg/m³)

Direct recycling

The direct recycling process implemented in important parts of production made it possible to substantially cut energy and material input and simultaneously reduce waste accumulation. It is part of the extensive environmental scheme that has marked the turnaround in Wiesner-Hager's environmental policy since the late 1980s. For example, by introducing ultrafiltration of the lacquer overspray plus material recovery in wood lacquering we could save up to 70% of the lacquers and were able to slash the accumulation of paint sludge. At the same time we also introduced eco-friendly water-based paints - a significant step towards the reduction of VOC emissions. Metal surfaces are provided with emission-free powder-coating. In this case, too, almost 100% of the overspray is recovered and reused by means of state-of-the-art colour change systems.

Technologies to reduce wastewater

3-step cascade flushing technology in metal pretreatment
Oil separator and filter technologies for longer service lives of the treatment baths
Modern wastewater treatment plant with automatic sampling device and measured value recording

Milestones. On the way to substainability.

2021: Purchase of 5 electric cars for the fleet and installation of 6 charging stations.

2020/21: Energetic building renovation – exchange of the old hall gates to thermally insulated gates with automatic closing mechanism.

2018 & 2019: Energy-efficient refurbishment of buildings - replacement of windows in buidling 10, renovation of the roof of building 22, Replacement of the heating system in the north and south plant.

2016 & 2017: Energy-efficient refurbishment of buildings – replacement of windows in production halls, heat insulation of flat roofs of production halls, renovation of the roof of building 12 and replacement of windows in building 3.

2015: Renovation of the compressed air supply and installation of a compressed air management system.

2013: Modernization of the hall heating in the wood workshop.

2012 & 2014: Energy-efficient refurbishment of the office building. Heat recovery from waste heat from the powder-coating unit.

2012: Exchanging some lorries from the company‘s vehicle fleet for lorries in compliance with the EURO 5 standard.

Exchanging parts of the compressed air system for energysaving compressors complying with modern standards.

2011 & 2012: Preparation of Type III EPDs Automatic, SAP-aided preparation of life cycle assessment of all Wiesner-Hager products. Certification acc. to ISO 14025 for the preparation of Type III EPDs.

2009: Pretreatment plant for metal parts featuring 3-step cascade flushing technology and Preparation of first company-related life cycle assessment.

2008: Changeover of stacker operation from diesel to electric drive.

2007: Introduction of an energy management system.

2005: Modernisation of powder coating plant by installing a quick colour change system.

2002: Replacement of solvent-based upholstery glue by waterbased materials.

1999: Introduction of an environmental management system including certification acc. to ISO 14001.

1998: Installation of a wood chip extraction plant with variable and controlled extraction capacity.

1996: Introduction of an environmental management system acc. to EMAS.

1995: Installation of a paint recovery plant via ultrafiltration in chair lacquering and introduction of an environmental management system acc. to EMAS.