Implenia opens a beacon for sustainability: Switzerland’s most sustainable surfacing plant
Dietlikon, 22 June 2016 - The “Trois Ponts” surfacing plant was opened today in Ecublens in the presence of dignitaries including Nuria Gorrite, Cantonal Councillor and Head of the Cantonal Infrastructure and Personnel Department in Canton Vaud. It is the most sustainable plant of its kind in Switzerland in terms of reduced emissions of harmful substances such as particulates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The plant produces up to 65,000 tons of road surfacing a year. Implenia has completely overhauled the plant as part of the implementation of its sustainability strategy. It now has a special active carbon filter system that has cut greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent, or 220 tonnes of CO2, compared to 2013 levels. This is equivalent to the emissions produced by a car driving round the world 30 times, and it means that the ultra-modern production plant comes in significantly below the strict emissions ceiling set by Canton Vaud (less than 50 mg/Nm3).
<br/>Implenia has targeted an overall 20% reduction in the plant’s CO2 emissions by 2020 compared to 2013. A 2,500 m2 photovoltaic system at “Trois-Ponts” generates more than 300,000 kWh a year, of which Implenia uses 150,000 kWh at the plant. The rest is fed into the local power grid. The plant’s environmental footprint has been further reduced by improving the insulation of its bitumen tanks, optimising the programming of burners and better logistics planning. A second production line allows Implenia to recycle more building material. In the last year of production, the plant was already able to cover more than 20 percent of its requirements with recycled material, and the percentage is rising all the time.
<br/>“Everything that Implenia does as a construction services company has a significant impact on the economy, environment and society. We take this responsibility seriously and are making a concrete contribution here,” said Anton Affentranger, CEO of Implenia, at the opening ceremony. The “Trois-Ponts” in Ecublens marks another milestone in Implenia’s sustainability efforts. “We are showing here that we are serious about environmentally-friendly production of building materials. This commitment is built on energy-efficient operations, reducing emissions to a minimum, and producing our own solar power.”
Setting new standards in sustainability: Implenia’s “Trois-Ponts” surfacing works in Ecublens, Canton Vaud, was renovated in 2015 and officially opened today. (Picture: Implenia)
The 2,500 m2 photovoltaic system on the roof of the surfacing works can be seen from the A1 motorway. It produces more than 300,000 kWh of solar energy every year. (Picture: Implenia)
Implenia press contact:
Reto Aregger
Communications Manager
Tel.: +41 58 474 74 77
Implenia, Switzerland’s leading construction and construction services company, also has a strong position in the German, Austrian and Scandinavian infrastructure markets. Established in 2006, Implenia can look back on around 150 years of construction tradition. It brings the expertise of its highly skilled sectoral and regional units together under the roof a company active throughout Europe. With its integrated business model and specialists operating in all areas of construction, the Group can manage a building project through its entire lifecycle and deliver work that is economical, integrated and customer-centric. The focus is on striking a sustainable balance between financial success and social and environmental responsibility.
Implenia, with its headquarters in Dietlikon near Zurich, currently employs more than 8,000 people around Europe and posted revenue of around CHF 3.3 billion in 2015. The company is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (IMPN, CH0023868554). More information can be found at www.implenia.com.
