Efficiency summit at Dürr AG

Press Release Apr 3, 2019

Bietigheim-Bissingen, April 3, 2019 – The 7th efficiency summit of the Institute for Energy Efficiency in Production (EEP) was held in Bietigheim-Bissingen on March 28, in cooperation with Dürr AG. Well-known representatives from politics, business and science discussed potential ways to enhance energy efficiency through digitization.

The event started with a tour of Dürr’s technical center. This is where the company develops products and tests processes for an energy- and resource-efficient painting process.

Dr. Jochen Weyrauch, a member of the Dürr Group’s Board of Management, then talked about the company’s new technologies for efficient production. These include overspray-free paint application, for which there is already strong demand. This method is particularly suitable for two-tone painting and customized vehicle painting. It enables paint to be applied in bands with millimeter-precision and without any wastage, i.e. without producing any overspray. “Our customers benefit not only from the lower paint consumption, but also from the fact that the paint is applied in a single step, without any intermediate drying or laborious masking. This saves time and energy and prevents wastage”, says Dr. Jochen Weyrauch, highlighting the benefits of this innovation.

The Dürr Group also offers software solutions which help to enhance production efficiency. Dr. Jochen Weyrauch believes digitization offers new market opportunities: “Our digital products indicate early on, for example, when maintenance is required. Smart, data-based analyses improve the production process. This increases system availability and reduces outages.”

During the course of the event, which was presented by the well-known TV journalist Nina Ruge, selected business representatives shed light on the current situation and on future prospects in the energy efficiency sector. Among the speakers were Franz Untersteller, Minister of the Environment, Climate Protection and the Energy Sector of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg; and Thomas Bareiß, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

The closing speech was given by Dr. Ing. E.h. Heinz Dürr, Honorary Chairman of the Dürr AG Supervisory Board and Chairman of the Advisory Board of Stuttgart University’s EEP. He sent a clear message to the political representatives: “If last year it was all about ‘efficiency first’ at the Ministry of Economics, while this year the word ‘efficiency’ has already dropped off the radar, then surely something must be very wrong.” He believes politicians must provide incentives to make it worthwhile for companies to invest in energy-efficient technology. Heinz Dürr is convinced that “there is definitely room for improvement!”

Press photos

Heinz Duerr at the microphone — Heinz Dürr called on politicians to offer investment incentives for companies

Political guests on the podium — Political guests at Dürr: Franz Untersteller, Minister of the Environment, Climate Protection and the Energy Sector of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg (left); Nina Ruge, TV journalist; and Thomas Bareiß, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (right) discussed new stimuli from the political arena to boost energy efficiency

Jochen Weyrauch in a conversation — Jochen Weyrauch during the presentation of a high-speed rotating atomizer at the Dürr AG technical center

About Dürr

The Dürr Group is one of the world's leading mechanical and plant engineering firms with extensive expertise in automation and digitization/Industry 4.0. Its products, systems and services enable highly efficient manufacturing processes in different industries. The Dürr Group supplies sectors like the automotive industry, mechanical engineering, chemical, pharmaceutical and woodworking industries. It generated sales of € 3.87 billion in 2018. In October 2018, the Dürr Group acquired the industrial environmental technology business of US-based company Babcock & Wilcox, comprising the MEGTEC and Universal brands. Since then, it has over 16,300 employees and 108 business locations in 32 countries. The Group operates in the market with five divisions:

Paint and Final Assembly Systems: paint shops and final assembly systems for the automotive industry
Application Technology: robot technologies for the automated application of paint, sealants and adhesives
Clean Technology Systems: air pollution control, noise abatement systems and battery coating lines
Measuring and Process Systems: balancing equipment as well as assembly, testing and filling technology
Woodworking Machinery and Systems: machinery and equipment for the woodworking industry

Disclaimer

This publication has been prepared independently by Dürr AG/Dürr group (“Dürr”). It may contain statements which address such key issues as strategy, future financial results, events, competitive positions and product developments. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, but not limited to those described in Dürr's disclosures, in particular in the chapter “Risks” in Dürr's annual report. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties and other factors materialize, or should underlying expectations not occur or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results, performances or achievements of Dürr may vary materially from those described in the relevant forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by words such as “expect,” “want,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” “will,” “project” or words of similar meaning. Dürr neither intends, nor assumes any obligation, to update or revise its forward-looking statements regularly in light of developments which differ from those anticipated. Stated competitive positions are based on management estimates supported by information provided by specialized external agencies.

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