Dürr equipment helps create the World’s First Green Paint Shop
05/23/2006
Stuttgart, 23rd May 2006 - BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, (Greer, SC) will use recycled methane gas generated by the Palmetto Landfill near Spartanburg, SC to provide energy to its paint shop. Dürr Systems, Inc (Plymouth, MI) will modify and upgrade equipment so that landfill gas can be used to fuel the paint shop. Landfill Gas (LFG) is a renewable energy resource containing methane collected from solid biodegradable municipal waste. Capturing LFG for beneficial use reduces greenhouse gas emissions and significantly reduces fossil fuel consumption.
BMW has been operating a large, on-site cogeneration system using LFG since 2002. Landfill Gas will now be used as thermal energy in the Dürr paint shop process equipment and eliminate the requirement for natural gas currently being used by the paint bake ovens and regenerative thermal oxidizer. The paint shop is the largest overall consumer of energy in the BMW Spartanburg facility. The additional use of LFG in the BMW paint shop does not inhibit in any way the production of electricity on site, and greatly reduces the paint shop’s reliance on natural gas. According to Dave Ciuffoletti, Vice President of Sales for Dürr Systems, “BMW is the first automotive paint shop to integrate the use of LFG in their process equipment. BMW should be congratulated for their environmental stewardship. By taking advantage of a renewable resource they have truly become the world’s first green paint shop."
BMW Manufacturing is a charter member of the EPA’s National Environmental Achievement Track that recognizes companies for their environmental stewardship and performance. The company is also a member of the South Carolina Environmental Excellence Program and is on the Dow Jones Sustainability Group Index, which rates environmentally friendly companies. The Dürr Services and Solutions team is focused on identifying cost savings opportunities within the process facility. Dürr is an ENERGYSTAR™ Industrial Service and Product Provider with the tools and expertise to develop, promote and implement energy performance improvement projects in industrial facilities. Dürr is also an Industry partner in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP). By preventing emissions of methane through the development of landfill gas energy projects, Dürr and LMOP are helping businesses and communities lower their operating cost, protect the environment and build a sustainable future. Facilities around the world rely on Dürr Systems for innovative technologies, integrated systems and dedicated solutions. Dürr continues to research sustainable energy alternatives.
The Dürr Group is one of the world's leading suppliers of products, systems, and services for automobile manufacturing. Its range of products and services covers important stages of vehicle production. As a systems supplier, Dürr plans and builds complete paint shops and final assembly facilities. Dürr also delivers cleaning and filtration systems for the manufacture of engine and transmission components as well as balancing systems for vehicle components.
Author: Gordon Harbison, Dürr Systems Inc.
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