ZF opens first ‘zero-emission’ factory

ZF has opened what it calls its first “zero-emission factory”, following an 18-month renovation period at its production site for power electronics in Klášterec, Czech Republic.

The plant, which is part of the Electrified Powertrain Technology division, is said to support the company’s efforts to achieve climate neutrality across all value chains by 2040.

Going forward, ZF says it will be used as the blueprint for all of its plants worldwide.

The technology company is gradually shifting to sustainably generated energy at all locations, increasing the energy efficiency of processes, electrifying a significant proportion of its products and using recycled materials.

The Klášterec plant, which has been in operation since 1992, was fitted with 3,400 solar modules on the campus, giving it the ability to generate its own electricity. This meets roughly 20 per cent of the plant’s annual electricity requirements.

According to ZF, any electricity that isn’t generated internally is purchased from renewable sources – mainly wind and hydroelectric power.

As early as 2025 – five years earlier than initially planned – ZF says that all locations will be fully powered by green electricity, which will be generated in-house or obtained through contracts with renewable energy providers.

Additionally, the Czech e-mobility plant’s fossil fuel-dependent gas heating system has been replaced by heat pumps, reducing the plant’s overall annual heating costs by 50 per cent.

During colder months, the plant uses the natural cold of the outside air (free cooling) to cool down the technology within the facility. Various measures for improved thermal insulation and heat recovery round off this local climate concept.