Kelheim Fibres GmbH

Environmental Protection

The cleanest viscose world-wide.

Technological edge in Germany as a business location

Kelheim Fibres produces 100 % in Germany and is therefore obliged to comply with the strictest environmental regulations and emission limits. For achieving these ambitious goals, about 60 million euros have been invested in environmental protection since 2005. These investments not only minimize the impact on the environment, but also enhance the efficiency of the processes, meaning that production in Germany remains competitive despite strong competition from Asia.

60
million euros
of environmental investments since 2005
CO2 emissions

Kelheim Fibres operates a modern gas-fired power plant that generates 50 % less CO2 emissions than coal-fired power plants. Due to it’s combined heat and power generation the power plant belongs to the class of high efficency plants. With a total efficiency of over 80 %, the CO2 emissions are 25 % lower compared to conventional power plants.

50 %
less CO2 due to gas instead of coal
25 %
less CO2 due to combined heat and power generation
25 %
reduction of CO2 emissions in Kelheim since 2005
Sulphur emissions

Use and handling of sulphur containing substances play a crucial role for production. Therefore the amount of sulphur emissions is an important criterion for assessing a sustainable viscose production. With it’s closed-loop process by using recovery plants and purification technology, Kelheim Fibres is able to reach uniquely low specific sulphur emissions. This allows Kelheim Fibres to even comply with the low and and far more strict than state-of-the-art limits of the WHO for neighbourhood relevant sulphur imissions.

45 %
reduction in sulphur emissions in Kelheim since 2010
Lowest sulphur emissions per ton of fibre world-wide.
Wastewater treatment

Kelheim Fibres was the first company in the world to invest in state-of-the-art BIOHOCH® reactors for wastewater treatment. At over 96 %, these reactors have a significantly higher degree of purification than previous processes. Their purification capacity corresponds to that of a sewage treatment plant for a city with 160,000 inhabitants. A close internal and external monitoring network guarantees constant compliance with legal limits.


State-of-the-art technology

Purification performance: 160,000 inhabitants

Close monitoring network
Closed-Loop Processes

Implementing a closed-loop philosophy means saving ressources, minimizing waste and emissions and operating plants in an energy-efficient way. This is guaranteed by operation of modern, technologically highly advanced recovery and recycling plants.

Examples of closed-loops in Kelheim:

  • Exhaust streams containing carbon disulphide in high concentrations are fed to an activated carbon adsorption plant or to direct condensation for recovery.
  • Exhaust streams containing high concentrations of hydrogen and carbon sulphide are sent to the sulfuric acid plant for combustion to produce sulphuric acid and high pressure steam for power generation. This climate neutral process also contributes to reducing CO2 emissions.
  • Waste is professionally disposed of in our own incineration plant and used to generate steam and electrical power. In this way, natural gas can be saved which further reduces CO2 emissions from fossil energy sources.
  • Hot waste-water and exhaust air flows are passed through heat exchangers in order to recover the heat.
Energy

We are committed to further increasing our energy efficiency and minimizing our energy consumption.

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