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PALFINGER works continuously on the improvement of its products, manufacturing methods, processes and systems in terms of quality, costs and environmental compatibility to strengthen its position as a technology leader even further in the future.
A large proportion of the manufacturing and assembly sites within the PALFINGER Group operate quality management systems in accordance with ISO 9001. Many aspects of the quality management system are also relevant for environmental protection. Furthermore as one of the first locations in the Group the production plant in Lengau implemented environmental management systems in accordance with ISO 14001 and EMAS.
EMAS (Eco Management and Audit Scheme) is a registration system at plant level. It is based on a regulation introduced by the European Parliament and aims to achieve a voluntary and continuous environmental improvement which is recognisable for the customer and which goes beyond statutory parameters.
PALFINGER is therefore playing a pioneering role in environmental protection, particularly at the plant in Lengau. Already in 2002 and 2003 an environmentally friendly painting unit was installed there which has reduced solvent emissions by about 90% through a switchover to water-based paints. In the 1990s a conversion of the heating systems to natural gas was also carried out.
Climate Protection & Carbon Footprint
PALFINGER takes great efforts to make production processes as efficient and direct impact on the environment as small as possible. The latter are mainly driven by three factors: electricity (in production process and offices), heat (in production process and to heat halls/offices) and fuel (for in-house transport). The outcome of these are direct CO2 emissions, which indeed continued to rise overall in 2008 and 2009 due to our new acquisitions but decreased on a like-to-like basis.
To lower absolute consumption figures different measures such as the optimisation of lighting systems and operational hours, the modernisation of heating systems or the utilisation of waste heat were implemented. Consequently the optimisation of consumptions and energy efficiency will be pushed within the framework of our facility management project in Europe as well as in a similar project in the US under the title Green Initiative.
Resource Management
Efficient Use of Raw Materials
In terms of weight, the most important raw materials used to manufacture PALFINGER products are steel
and aluminium. Although the production of aluminium uses up a lot of energy, its low weight makes it possible
to produce lighter end products which is also similar when using high-strength steel grades. A lighter end product, when mounted on an end customer’s vehicle, saves fuel and is thus friendly to the environment.
Other significant aspects of environmental protection are the recycling share and waste cutting optimisation programs in manufacturing, which mainly influence scrap and discarded metal waste. The absolute decline in
discarded metal volumes was due to the lower production activities in 2009. However, the specific quantity of discarded metal per tonne of product manufactured rose. All discarded mtal waste and scrap is recycled.
In principle, the differentiation between hazardous and non-hazardous waste is governed by the local legislations, which makes direct comparisons of sites difficult. However, what is essential for PALFINGER is
that hazardous waste (such as waste from the paint shop) is disposed of in an eco-friendly way.
Avoiding solvents in paints is advantageous for our environment and reduces potential health risks for humans. As an environmentally and health-friendly alternative, water-based paints are used at PALFINGER.
Water Consumption
The biggest water consumers at PALFINGER are the paint shop and electroplating shop, the washing sites for cleaning products and vehicles as well as the break rooms and sanitary facilities in office buildings.
The amount of wastewater corresponds approximately to the purchased volume of water. Usually wastewater is disposed of via the public sewer system. Wastewater from industrial processes at the CDP systems is handed over to authorised disposal companies. In Bulgaria and Brazil PALFINGER even operates its own water treatment plants.
 Further details in the current sustainability report
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