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04-02-15
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Switch to renewable energy: Green power for HERMA

• As of the beginning of 2015, HERMA is sourcing its electricity from renewable energies.
• In 2015 alone, the self-adhesive solutions expert will thereby save approximately 8,000 metric tons of CO2.
• During the last 15 years, HERMA has also reduced the specific energy consumption per square metre of adhesive material by more than 50%.

HERMA continues on its steady course towards eco-friendliness and sustainability. Switching its production facilities to energy from renewable sources according to Renewables Directive 2009/28/EC, the company has reached the next stage: the specialist in self-adhesive technology has purchased guarantees of origin for the years 2015 - 2017. The energy consumed by HERMA is completely generated by means of hydropower, which means that compared with a conventional German energy mix, approximately 8,000 metric tons of CO2 will be saved in 2015 alone. “By pursuing this course, we are assuming even more responsibility for our environment. During the last years, we have already lived up to this standard through the continuous optimization of our energy consumption and through certified energy management practices”, explains HERMA managing director Dr. Thomas Baumgärtner. “Over the course of the last 15 years, we have thereby achieved a more than 50% reduction in the energy consumption per square metre of adhesive material.” Last but not least, investments in sustainability may also lead to positive economic results. In a quasi-closed loop, HERMA reuses, for instance, materials made from recycled paper release liners. These were regarded as unsuitable for recycling until recently because they contain silicone. Since 2010, the company collects no longer needed paper release liners which are then recycled by the Cycle4Green organisation. Compared with recycling, manufacturing the same quantity of products from virgin fibre would have increased CO2 emissions by 460 metric tons in 2014. This more than neutralised the emissions of the company’s vehicle fleet: at more than 70 cars, it merely generates about 375 metric tons.