Sustainability at thyssenkrupp rothe erde

Man in a suit with glasses, smiling, arms crossed
Winfried Schulte, CEO Rothe Erde

"As a technology company, we see sustainability not as a mere task, but as an important part of our corporate DNA. We act in accordance with these principles worldwide, and make an important contribution to achieving the sustainability goals of our customers and partners with our products and services."

Sustainability is an integral part of our corporate strategy

As part of a global industrial group, Rothe Erde develops innovative product solutions that not only secure long-term success for our customers, but also make a positive contribution to the global development.

That's why we don't just base our decisions on economic considerations, but also take into account ecological and social concerns. We attach great importance to the satisfaction of our employees and the protection of the environment. Together, we want to develop sustainable products.

As a company, we firmly believe that responsibility and sustainability are not only a major challenge, but also an opportunity. As part of the global community, it is our duty to create a sustainable and livable future for future generations. The spectrum of topics in the area of sustainability ranges from growth to compliance and human rights to resource efficiency in production processes and sustainability of products in use. We use our engineering expertise to meet the global demand for "more" goods and services in a "better" way.

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We empower industries to break new ground and master the shift into a sustainable future.

Sustainability put into practice: Measures in our company for a sustainable future

Goals for a sustainable development: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 goals that were adopted by the United Nations in 2015. They represent a universal agenda that addresses the most pressing challenges of our time and promotes a better and more sustainable future for people and our planet.

With the Agenda 2030, the international community wants to enable a decent life worldwide and at the same time permanently preserve the natural foundations of life. This includes economic, ecological and social aspects. All states are called upon to align their actions accordingly.

As a renowned manufacturer of seamless rolled rings and rolling bearings and as one of the world market leaders in the development and manufacturing of slewing bearings, we are aware of our role in society and firmly believe that we have a central role to play in achieving these goals as a company. The commitment of everyone involved is essential to achieving the SDGs. By working together, we can create a sustainable future for future generations and make the world a better place.

Sustainable development in action: Our corporate contributions to the SDGs

For us, sustainability is not a burden, but rather a success factor for our company and our products.

Natallia Schönnagel
Head of Technical Coordination & Operational Excellence

Climate targets of thyssenkrupp until 2050

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In practice: Successful projects in our company for a better future

Decarbonisation plant

Rothe Erde is taking new steps in climate protection

Germany's largest decarbonization plant

With the largest decarbonization plant at its Lippstadt site, Rothe Erde is making a significant contribution to CO2 storage. Plants absorb CO2 as part of the photosynthesis process. In the normal rotting or composting process, they release it back into the atmosphere. However, the biochar produced during pyrolysis stores the CO2 for several hundred years. In addition, so-called recuperators are in use at the Dortmund plant. These use the waste heat from the ovens to heat the preheaters. This significantly reduces gas consumption and thus reduces CO2 emissions at the very beginning of the processing process.

More sustainable production

Solar energy as a pioneer for sustainability and clean energy

Solar energy is an inexhaustible source of clean energy that helps Rothe Erde make an important contribution to the energy transition.

Fire in seamless rolled rings

New Standards for Sustainable Production

CO2-free production of seamless rolled rings

With this project, conducted in collaboration with RWTH Aachen, we have developed a transformation concept for decarbonization in our ring production. The focus was on the heating and heat treatment furnaces, for which the current CO2 footprint at the production site in Dortmund was assessed, the availability of carbon-neutral energy sources determined, and the technical possibilities of the facilities analyzed. The options derived from these insights will be compared in a scenario-based feasibility study. The results serve as a decision-making basis for the selection and implementation of future carbon-neutral technologies and form the foundation for deriving an action plan to achieve our goals.