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April 2019

Green initiatives pay off

Sustainability works for both the environment and the wallet. This is why Hjerno in recent years has launched a number of energy and resource saving initiatives across the value chain.

"We do what we can within the framework conditions, under which we happen to operate. An industrial company such as this one consumes a lot of energy, and there is no reason to hide that. But nevertheless we can still make an effort to save as many resources as possible," says Managing Director Aage Agergaard.

Almost all shavings are recycled
The initiatives range widely and include, among other things, the installation of frequency converters on all cooling units, compressors and other machines where this installation has been possible, an 80 percent reduction of oil consumption on processing machines and recycling of metal shavings.

"We sort the shavings and 97 percent are sold as precious metals to H.J. Hansen. It turned out to be good for both the environment and the economy," explains Aage Agergaard.

Other measures include an increasing digitisation of the drawing material in order to reduce paper consumption and also the use of frequency converters on the factory's very large ventilation systems. Furthermore recycled rags are used for wiping rather than disposable paper wipes, waste is thoroughly separated and the company's nearly 100 computer monitors are automatically switched-off.

The light turns off when the alarm is turned on
In addition, all light sources in the factory are LEDs, which have reduced the power consumption for lighting with 80-90 percent. In order to avoid power wastage, all lights in the factory are also automatically turned off when the alarm is turned on at the end of the day.

"Obviously it did cost some money to get the cables pulled through the entire factory, but we have a good feeling about it. And at the same time we are saving money on the power budget," says Aage Agergaard.

He calls the green initiatives a very natural step for a company of Hjerno’s size – not least because environmental considerations are something that are demanded in particular by the company's major customers.