As an energy-intensive company, the long-term availability of energy at economically justifiable prices is of major importance for the overall development of the Aurubis production sites. We act responsibly towards future generations by using raw materials and energy economically.

We therefore invest at all sites in energy-efficient plant technologies and individual measures for saving additional energy. This long-term involvement is successful: we have considerably reduced our specific CO₂ emissions at all sites. Additionally, we are organised in interest groups and participate in the “Metals pro Climate” initiative of the non-ferrous metals industry, for example.

Even if it is becoming increasingly difficult to identify further potential for cutting CO₂ emissions from the technological and physical aspects, Aurubis has set itself new ambitious targets. For example, the copper producer was one of the first industrial companies in Hamburg to participate in the Hamburg Senate’s climate protection concept and has voluntarily committed to a CO₂ reduction of 40,000 tonnes p.a. by 2012 as compared with the base year of 2007. A programme with about 200 individual measures and a capital expenditure volume of € 22 million was developed for this purpose.

Climate protection is part of corporate strategy and is firmly established in Aurubis’ company guidelines. Implementation is a comprehensive, global responsibility. For us, it begins in the company, at the Group sites. In order to be successful, however, involvement cannot end there. Due to its applications, high-quality copper contributes significantly to improving the CO₂ balance in modern life, as it is a central component of innovative technological progress that serves to increase efficiency. Copper is vital for the continued development of alternative energies in particular.

Important components of solar thermal facilities are made of copper: the absorber surfaces in solar panels consist of about 90 % thin copper sheets. Large amounts of copper are also found in link lines, heat exchangers, pumps, control cables, etc. Copper is necessary for producing wind energy plants as well, especially in the generators’ coils.

Copper is additionally used to transfer the energy produced from other alternative energy sources such as wind and geothermal energy with maximum effectiveness and minimal effects on the environment.