Low energy, low pollution, higher quality

Amorbach, 25.07.2007

The jury did not need much time to make a decision about awarding E.ON Bayern Environment Prize remunerated by a total of 250,000 euro. By erecting a new production plant for mineral-fibre boards with heat recovery, OWA Fibreboard Plant not only improves its manufacturing efficiency, but also saves about 20 per cent energy, reduces CO2 emission and, moreover, increases its products quality. It was more than enough to fulfil the qualifications for the E.ON Bayern Environment Prize. OWA received prize money amounting to 20,000 euro.

The process in the OWA heat recovery plant is based on use of waste heat accruing in the dryer’s exhaust air. The hot dryer exhaust air loaded with water steam is carried out from two waste gas chimneys. Rotary heat exchangers extract the energy from the exhaust air and use it for heating the fresh air supplied to the dryer. The installation that required an investment amounting to 17 millions euro was initiated in April 2006 and commissioned in October 2006. For the year 2007, further measures are planned to optimize the energy consumption.

Odenwald Faserplattenwerk is one of the German leading manufacturers of ceiling tiles based on mineral wool. It produces about 100,000 sq. m daily and has always followed the environmental protection specifications. About three quarters of the produced goods are exported to 80 different countries.

For the third time this year, municipalities, churches, enterprises, institutions and associations in all over Bavaria applied for the treasured E.ON Bayern Environment Prize by submitting their innovative projects. They are focused on conceptions which help to protect natural resources and to reduce pollution. On the 24th of July 2007, E.ON Bayern awarded eleven projects from 200 one submitted ones. The initiative was under the auspices of the Minister, Mr. Werner Schnappauf. He is pleased with the large potential on environmental protection ideas and sees it as a proof that ecological awareness is already deep-seated in the Free State of Bavaria.