+11K
Employees worldwide
Energy Efficiency Program Cuts CO₂ by 76% and Delivers Positive Business Case
The battery recycling business unit of a specialty chemicals and materials company needed to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions while aligning energy efficiency projects with upcoming expansion plans. Together with EFESO, the company developed a comprehensive roadmap combining quick wins, deep feasibility studies, pinch analysis and investment planning.
Industry: Automotive and Commercial Vehicles
Industry: Chemicals
Service: Cost and Value Engineering
Service: Sustainability
Our Client
Our client is the battery recycling business unit of a specialty chemicals and materials company. The company employs over 11,000 people and operates 45 production sites worldwide, showcasing its extensive global presence and expertise in sustainable materials.
45
Production sites globally
1
Battery recycling business unit
“That's exactly what it's all about: achieving sustainability targets and creating financial value at the same time.
“
The Challenge
The China site faced strict CO₂ reduction targets, especially around steam consumption. Despite previous efforts, additional measures were required to meet the objectives—and expansion plans added complexity. The company needed to merge both growth and energy efficiency efforts into a single, coherent roadmap. Key challenges included:
- Identifying new reduction initiatives beyond those already implemented
- Integrating expansion plans with energy optimization in one aligned roadmap
- Prioritizing initiatives based on feasibility, impact and investment needs
- Ensuring that proposed projects supported long-term sustainability goals
Real Results Achieved Together
The Energy Efficiency program delivered both environmental impact and strong financial performance, proving that sustainability and value creation can go hand in hand.
-76%
CO2 emissions reduction by 2026
1.7
Years payback for energy efficiency investments
4
Years payback for full investment program
Transformation Impact
- Roadmap created to reduce steam consumption and CO₂ emissions by 76%
- Combined approach aligning expansion plans with energy efficiency initiatives
- Clear CAPEX roadmap designed based on multiple growth scenarios
- Prioritized portfolio of quick wins, complex projects and backlog initiatives
- Rigorous feasibility assessments and pinch analysis to validate impact
Our Approach
- Plant energy walk-through of approximately one week to get a clear picture of the status quo and suitable measures
- 4 Quick Wins (2 months realization time)
- 6 attractive yet complex projects
- 14 projects that went into backlog
- 20 ideas were disregarded because they didn’t fit with the planned expansion
- Pinch analysis for the six complex projects
- Designed solution and feasibility check of realization and impact
- Investment estimation
- Review of the Energy management system
- Design of the optimal CAPEX roadmap for selected scenarios of volume growth
- Investment roadmap with sequencing of projects
- Overall Net Present Value calculation for scenario & approval
Related Services
Cost and Value Engineering
Rising costs demand optimization from design through production. We apply cross-functional value engineering, zero-based redesign, and continuous cost tracking to protect margins.
Sustainability
ESG pledges require embedded operational transformation. We deliver measurable impact through circular economy practices, carbon reduction programs, and sustainable value chain redesign.
Ready to Turn Your Sustainability Goals Into Financial Wins?
- Achieve ambitious CO2 reduction targets while building a compelling business case
- Stop choosing between environmental impact and financial performance
- Join leading manufacturers who are proving that energy efficiency drives both sustainability and profitability
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