INEOS Automotive has launched a new €15 million biomass heat plant at its Hambach production and assembly site, significantly reducing the factory’s carbon footprint. The plant, designed to generate 9.2 megawatts of heat, will use up to 14,000 tonnes of locally sourced wood chips annually, meeting 78% of the facility’s heating needs, reported The Avondhu.
Since 2019, INEOS has invested over half a billion euros in the Hambach site, upgrading its facilities to include a new automated body shop, a semi-automated paint shop, a quality control lab, and a water testing pool. These expansions have increased the plant’s size by over 60%, now covering 210,000 square meters, and consequently, its heating requirements.
The new biomass plant features two boilers and a heat pump, supplying the majority of the site’s heating. The remaining heat will be provided by an existing gas boiler. The switch to biomass is expected to reduce the plant’s carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 8,800 tonnes each year. The ash produced by the plant will be recycled and used as fertilizer in local agriculture.
“Our continued investment in Hambach ensures that our Grenadier and Quartermaster vehicles are built to the highest standards in an environmentally friendly factory,” said Lynn Calder, CEO of INEOS Automotive. “We are proud of our advanced facilities and our skilled workforce, which make this one of the most modern car production sites in Europe.”
Philippe Steyer, President of INEOS Automotive SAS, emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainability. “This biomass plant is the latest step in our ongoing efforts to make Hambach more sustainable,” he said. “It was essential for us to increase our renewable energy capacity as the site expands.”
The Hambach Energy Transition project, which includes the new biomass plant, received support from the French government, including a €3.9 million grant from ADEME and a potential €1.5 million grant from Dalkia. This project reinforces Hambach’s commitment to environmentally responsible manufacturing.
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