A journey towards carbon neutrality and self-sufficiency

Hexagon’s dedication to sustainability is illustrated by the comprehensive measures they have implemented at their facilities across the world. With tangible actions such as increasing renewable energy consumption, reducing waste, capturing rainwater for reuse, and exploring possibilities in energy storage and generation, Hexagon is not only demonstrating its corporate responsibility, but also leading the way in how businesses address their impact on the environment.

Building upon our commitment to sustainability, we at Hexagon have been significantly upgrading our facilities worldwide to conserve resources, reduce waste and leverage renewable energy. These efforts span several locations, including Hongdao in China, Huntsville in the United States and Wetzlar in Germany, as part of a broader pledge to enable sustainable operations across all our locations.

In this article, we’ll explore decarbonisation and the concept of avoided emissions. Then, we’ll discuss why quantification is so important and the way that Hexagon approaches it. Finally, we’ll look ahead to what the future holds for Hexagon. 

 

Wetzlar, Germany: Flagship factory  in sustainability efforts

Hexagon’s Wetzlar factory in Germany is at the forefront of the company’s commitment to sustainability and embodies their ambitions towards innovation, sustainability, and corporate responsibility. With approximately 465 employees, the factory has set the ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality and self-sufficiency.

The construction of a solar park, equipped with photovoltaic panels boasting a capacity of 1.5 MWp and battery storage capabilities of 800kWh, is a pivotal achievement. Such efforts have enabled Wetzlar to operate independent of external energy sources for a significant portion of the year, resulting in a 60-70% annual carbon reduction. The facility also introduced initiatives to enhance energy efficiency, such as electric vehicle charging stations catering to the emerging demand for electric mobility, and transitioned to a 100% renewable energy contract in 2020 for both gas and electricity consumption.

Hexagon’s Wetzlar factory underscores the company’s commitment to a sustainable future, with plans to further its efforts by completing the installation of its photovoltaic cells, battery storage, and heat pump systems. The company is also exploring cutting-edge solutions like Bosch hydrogen fuel cell technology.

 

Hongdao, China: A blueprint for future facilities

In Hongdao, China, Hexagon has both expanded and improved one of its larger sites, aiming to develop a blueprint for future sustainable production sites. This facility, boasting more than 200 R&D engineers and a manufacturing area that spans 35,000m2, has been certified as carbon neutral since 2020. The site stands out for its usage of local panels for renewable energy needs, which accounts for 80% of its total energy requirement.

Their dedication to conserving water is evident in their initiative to recover and reuse rainwater. This not only supplies for their needs but also fosters the biodiversity in its green areas. Waste management here is a success too, with zero waste being diverted to landfill. Furthermore, the facility has recycled more than 65% of the total waste generated in production as of 2023.

 

Huntsville, United States: Green initiatives to reduce carbon footprint

Meanwhile, in Huntsville, US, Hexagon has committed to several green initiatives aimed at reducing its carbon footprint. During 2023, the company purchased Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) covering 100% of the facility’s electricity consumption. An exciting shift has also been the transition of their car fleet to hybrid and electric vehicles. They have eliminated chemical treatments from their turf maintenance, reinforcing their commitment to environmental safety. Looking forward, the Huntsville location is planning to complete its first solar project by 2024 and is also investigating the feasibility of a larger solar project for the next three to five years.

 

Facilities for a more sustainable future

Hexagon’s dedication to sustainability is illustrated by the comprehensive measures they have implemented at their facilities across the world. With tangible actions such as increasing renewable energy consumption, reducing waste, capturing rainwater for reuse, and exploring possibilities in energy storage and generation, Hexagon is not only demonstrating its corporate responsibility, but also leading the way in how businesses address their impact on the environment.