The Dürr Group and the automobile manufacturer Mercedes-Benz have entered into a long-term strategic partnership in the field of paint finishing systems. The aim is to make vehicle painting CO2-free and thus jointly set new standards in sustainability. Subject to the fulfillment of all contractual conditions, the Mercedes-Benz paint shop in Sindelfingen is to be equipped with the latest technologies from Dürr in the coming years. Further projects may follow.
The partnership agreement, which has been concluded over several years, is a first in the decades of cooperation between Mercedes-Benz and Dürr. It includes a declaration of intent to jointly plan and implement the renewal of paint finishing technology at the German plants. The first project is the construction of a new sustainable paint shop in Sindelfingen. Planning for this has already begun, and the supply order for Dürr is expected from Mercedes-Benz next year. Orders for other paint shops may follow on this basis.
As part of the partnership, the plan is to reduce energy consumption per painted body to less than 400 kWh. This corresponds to less than half the current consumption. Dürr software applications for energy management and exceptionally energy-efficient technologies will contribute to the reduction, for example for the economical and intelligent operation of paint booths and body dryers. In addition, the paint shop will operate without fossil fuels in the future. Instead, energy requirements will be covered by green electricity. This will enable CO2-free operation and is an important step toward decarbonizing automotive production.
Dr. Jochen Weyrauch, CEO of Dürr AG: "The energy optimization of the painting process is the central prerequisite for being able to build cars in a climate-neutral way. Therefore, the development of energy-efficient and climate-neutral technologies is at the top of our innovation agenda. The strategic partnership with Mercedes-Benz is an important lighthouse project in Germany as an industrial location: we are jointly implementing climate-friendly production processes on a large scale and are thus also acting as a pioneer internationally."
Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Production and Supply Chain Management: "By 2039, we want to use exclusively renewable energies in the global production network of Mercedes-Benz. Together with Dürr, we will take decisive steps in this direction in the coming years and take paint finishing to a whole new level in terms of sustainability and energy efficiency."
Autor(en): mak
