Bitzer invests in sustainable paint shop

Bitzer's new paint shop, which is due to go into operation in 2026, focuses on sustainability through fully automated painting and therefore minimal use of paint, exclusive use of waste heat already generated in the plant for the painting processes and the use of electricity from its own and natural resources. By switching to a dry spray wall with rotating brushes, filter waste can be drastically reduced. Up to 90 percent fewer filters need to be disposed of. The paint shop is equipped with an exhaust air purification system with an adsorption wheel for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can guarantee an 87% reduction in VOC emissions with the help of regenerative afterburning. The exhaust air purification system does not require any additional heating energy, as it processes the exhaust air from the spray booths, evaporation zones and paint dryers in such a way that autothermal operation is possible. "With this system, Bitzer is focusing on new and future-oriented technologies in surface technology," says independent system planner Peter Herbold. "Process and quality reliability has the highest priority in the new system. In addition, the minimization of VOC emissions, paint quantities and filter material represents a further step towards a sustainable future for production."

Christian Wehrle, CEO of the Bitzer Group, adds: "We are delighted to be investing further in the future within Germany with the construction of the new paint shop and to be able to further increase both the quality and sustainability aspects of our products." Bitzer will further improve both quality and resource efficiency with the technology used. "When planning the new paint shop, we set ourselves the goal of reducing the use of resources per product by more than 20 percent," says Kai Schuppler, Vice President Fulfillment EMEA and Plant Manager of the Bitzer site in Rottenburg-Ergenzingen.