Aurubis invests in emissions control in Germany

Hamburg-based copper and nonferrous metals producer Aurubis AG has commissioned a new steam accumulator system at its Lünen, Germany, recycled-content copper production site that will help prevent about 5,000 tons of CO₂ from entering the atmosphere each year.

Aurubis has invested approximately 10 million euros ($11.7 million) into the system, which, in addition to reducing emissions, will significantly boost the site’s energy efficiency.

“The new steam accumulator system impressively shows how we at Aurubis align energy efficiency, profitability and climate protection, especially in light of rising energy costs," says Inge Hofkens, chief operations officer for multimetal recycling at Aurubis. "At the same time, we are enhancing our competitiveness and making a concrete contribution to the energy transition.”

The new system consists of four high-pressure steam accumulators designed to allow excess steam and waste heat generated in copper furnace production to be stored for later use as needed.

The stored steam is used as process steam in production and can supply the plant’s heating infrastructure, including in a nearby administrative building, according to Aurubis, helping eliminate the need to generate additional steam with natural gas.

The new accumulator will help the Lünen site save about 2 million cubic meters of natural gas consumption annually, which the metals firm says is equivalent to the annual consumption of around 1,000 single-family homes.

Thus, in addition to the environmental benefits, the new system will contribute over more than 1 million euros ($1.7 million) to the Aurubis Group’s operating result (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA) each year, according to the firm.

“With the completion of the steam accumulator system, we are sending a strong signal for sustainable industrial production, in the region and beyond,” Aurubis Lünen Plant Manager Verena von Weiss says. “The project demonstrates that climate protection and industrial innovation can go hand in hand. It is a central element of our CO₂ strategy on site.”

The project received funding assistance from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy through the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control.