A focus on sustainability: Construction of our new production plant in Nantong, China

Construction of our new production plant in Nantong, China is continuing to plan and extremely successful. The new plant will have a production capacity of around 50 machines and, in addition to encompassing additional areas for subsequent work such as tempering, packaging and shipping, it also has a warehouse and offices.

Engineering challenges and flexibility

As the plant is being constructed in the Yangtze River Delta, soil conditions are particularly challenging. Metre-long concrete piles were sunk in the muddy substrate to ensure a stable foundation. The construction project encompasses a usable area of around 18,000 m², thus enabling the preparation of the foundation today for future expansions. This flexibility ensures an uncomplicated expansion of production, the warehouse and the office premises.

Environmentally friendly design and modern technology

The new production building will be of a visual design similar to our existing plants in Austria and Canada. We are utilising LED lighting with light control in production for a bright and energy-efficient working environment. Special adaptation to the local surroundings is achieved through placing the supply level on the ground floor, while the production level is on the first floor. This measure protects our machinery against flooding which occurs regularly in the region.

Energy efficiency and conservation of resources

In Nantong, we place a particular emphasis on energy efficiency and optimum utilisation of natural resources. Insulation of the building, including the roof, walls and glass façades, is excellent to minimise energy consumption. :

• Dry coolers on the roof which exploit the outside air for cooling.
• A cooling water basin which stores surplus energy from the dry coolers and, where necessary, can be supplemented through electric chillers. This basin also acts as a firewater basin.
• Electrical refrigeration plants which provide additional cooling for the water basin, thus contributing to energy efficiency.

As temperatures in Nantong rarely fall below 0°C, the heating system is less relevant than in Austria or Canada. Waste heat from air compressors and annealing furnaces is primarily used for temperature control. This is supplemented through the use of heat pumps which also contribute to cooling in summer and, consequently, offer a double sustainability benefit. As a result, we can dispense completely with the use of fossil fuels for heating or cooling.

In addition, the damp and rainy climate of Nantong is countered through the use of targeted dehumidification systems. Particular consideration was given to energy-efficient solutions when selecting the systems to ensure an optimum consumption of energy.

Further contributions to our sustainability initiatives