To improve efficient use of resources (material, energy, water) by products as well as during production, a precise balance between ecological and economical issues must be sought after.
In addition to the BMW Group's recycling strategy with its core elements RDZ (German: Recycling und Demontagezentrum; English: Recycling and Disassembly Center), Design-for-Recycling, and Material Labeling, the BMW Group focuses primarily on the most efficient possible use of resources in intelligent systems.
Example: Water. Water is our most vital natural resource. In the production process – during which around a third of waster water is produced – tremendous progress has been made in the economical use of water. Closed cooling circuits, circuit-guided water systems and waster water treatment systems, the use of dry separation and path-breaking technologies such as the IPP Integrated Paint Process (elimination of primer-surfacer) have made this possible.
Example: Energy. To save energy, production uses sophisticated central routing technology, for example. This enables energy-using components to be turned on and off precisely when needed. In addition, the use of heat reclamation equipment, use of industrial waste heat, and cold generation in absorption equipment supports the development of circulation systems. This makes it possible to exploit primary energy to a high degree, ensuring an energy supply which is also environmentally friendly.
Example: Waste material – avoidance, then utilization. The BMW Group places great value on designing products which are optimised for recycling as well as separating and utilizing waste materials which accrue during production. Care is taken, for example, only to transfer waste materials to recovery and cleanup partners who have passed the BMW Group's recovery audit. Our uppermost goal, however, is to not accrue waste materials in the first place. Each location has responsible employees who use a waste material information system to optimise processes and procedures. This system enables a precise overview of the flow of waste materials. This enables the continual development of further strategies for waste reduction and avoidance.
