At the network's regular meetings, energy and technology managers share efficiency and technology initiatives with each other and with external experts and then implement them in their companies. As a result of the first energy efficiency network, ChePap Rhein-Ruhr I, which was also supported by the chemical and paper industries and which has now been superseded by this new initiative, efficiency gains of around 3% have been achieved.
"We are continuing our successful energy efficiency cooperation with this new initiative, because the topic is more relevant than ever," explains Gerd Finkenhofer, Energy Manager at Mitsubishi HiTec Paper. "On the one hand, very good energy efficiency naturally contributes to our goals of sustainable management and protection of the environment, but on the other hand it is also indispensable for maintaining the competitiveness of Germany's energy-intensive industry."
Martin Drews, Managing Director of the Business Association of the Rhineland-Westphalian paper-producing industry, further explains: "Reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions is a declared political goal in Germany. Our companies make their contribution within the framework of the energy efficiency network. But it must also be made clear: energy cannot be saved arbitrarily. There are technical limits and the capital for investment in action is limited."
