Climate change poses a number of challenges for the environment, the economy and society as a whole. Nature conservation is a global task that requires the active cooperation of individuals, cities and industrial companies. In our region, we therefore focus on water protection, clean air, forest care and consistent recycling. What is more, 50% of our electricity consumption already comes from renewable sources.
At the GIFF a.s. foundry, we are very much aware of the environmental responsibility associated with metallurgical production. For this reason, we take proactive steps to keep the surrounding ecosystems healthy. Above all, we build on the principles of the circular economy, as cast iron is a natural and 100% recyclable material. We therefore use secondary iron scrap as the main charge material for producing the melt. In addition, we systematically invest in clean logistics, whether in hybrid and fully electric vehicles or in handling equipment and forklifts powered by electricity or CNG.
One of the most important environmental steps was the transition to melting in electric medium-frequency furnaces. By deploying highly efficient filter units for dry dust separation, we have successfully minimized the release of particulate pollutants into the air. The switch to dry filters has not only made the melting process itself more efficient, but has also significantly reduced our overall carbon footprint.
Wet scrubbers were used in industry for a long time, but they brought high water consumption and the need for wastewater treatment. The installation of modern dry fabric filters has therefore completely eliminated these drawbacks. The new filters capture solid dust particles without a drop of water, operate with lower energy requirements and thus represent a significantly cleaner and more sustainable solution for clean air in the region.
Industrial noise can be a significant burden for residents living near the plant. To eliminate this factor, we have fitted our ventilation and filtration systems with advanced silencers and acoustic enclosures. These measures have resulted in a noticeable reduction of noise emissions across the entire site and its immediate surroundings.
Another important area of air protection is the elimination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released during the priming of castings. In our paint shop, we have therefore installed a modern recovery and capture unit. This equipment efficiently captures these vapors and safely disposes of them, effectively preventing their release into the atmosphere.
A major contribution to the plant’s energy balance is the recovery of waste heat from the cooling circuits of the induction furnaces. Instead of releasing this energy into the surroundings, we use it efficiently to heat the production premises and to heat service water. This allows us to save primary fuels and permanently reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Caring for the environment directly affects the quality of the world we pass on to future generations. At GIFF a.s., we therefore see ecology as an inseparable part of modern engineering. By consistently introducing sustainable technologies and conserving natural resources, we demonstrate that traditional foundry work can successfully operate in harmony with a clean natural environment.
