Sustainability through additive manufacturing
Innovatively sustainable: new paths in 3D printing
Our claim: Future-oriented energy efficiency
Innovatively sustainable: new paths in 3D printing
At our production site in Biedenkopf, we rely on state-of-the-art technologies and are committed to the highest standards – particularly in the areas of sustainability and CO₂ reduction. This has included measures such as heat recovery from lasers and compressors and the reuse of cold from nitrogen processes for 10 years.
The aim is to use energy as efficiently as possible where it is needed. This includes measures such as heat recovery from lasers and compressors or the reuse of cold from nitrogen processes. These efforts are not just a distant dream for the future, but are already part of our future-oriented corporate philosophy, which has secured us a pioneering role in Central Hesse and in the world of additive manufacturing.
Our claim
Future-oriented energy efficiency
"Reducing CO2 is not only interesting from an economic point of view, it is also part of the social responsibility that we bear as a company. As a family business with strong roots in the region, we feel a strong sense of responsibility and are clearly committed to this."
Matthias Henkel, Managing Director
100% green electricity since 2012
Since 2012, we have been using only green electricity for our entire production. With this decisive step, we have significantly reduced our CO2 emissions and are pioneers in the environmentally friendly production of 3D-printed metal and plastic components. Our consistent decision to use renewable energy underlines our claim to offer not only innovative but also environmentally friendly solutions.
Resource-saving use of materials
A key advantage of the additive manufacturing method is the minimal excess material, for example in comparison to ablative processes. The components are built up layer by layer in a targeted manner so that the mass of the end product corresponds exactly to the material used. For example, we were able to reduce the material consumption of copper in the production process by an impressive 92% compared to machining production.
Another key element of our sustainability strategy is our advanced, optimized process management. We are able to return a large proportion of the powder used in production to the production cycle and reuse it far beyond the industry standard. This leads to a significant reduction in material consumption compared to a standard laser sintering process, thereby improving resource consumption and the carbon footprint of our entire production process.
Sustainable and CO2-neutral materials
Our consistent pursuit of sustainable and CO2-neutral materials is an essential part of our sustainability strategy and our contribution to a more environmentally friendly future.
One of our guiding principles is therefore: wherever possible, we use materials and raw materials that have been produced as sustainably and CO2-neutrally as possible.
This principle characterizes our actions and is applied in every phase of our production. The decision to use environmentally friendly materials is not only a contribution to climate protection, but also an expression of our corporate responsibility towards society and future generations.
Use of climate-neutral products
In recent years, we have included climate-neutral products in our portfolio. These products are manufactured using renewable energies and the remaining greenhouse gas emissions are offset by investing in certified climate protection projects.
Certified sustainability
For the manufacture of climate-neutral or CO2-reduced products, we receive certificates that confirm the sustainability of these products. These certificates, which are verified by independent organizations such as TÜV SÜD, document the greenhouse gas emissions saved and support our customers in achieving their own sustainability goals.
Examples of sustainable materials
PA 1101 ClimateNeutral: This polymer is based on castor oil, a renewable raw material. It offers high mechanical and chemical resistance and is climate-neutral, as the remaining emissions are offset by climate protection projects.
PA 2200 CarbonReduced:
Produced with renewable energy, this polymer reduces the CO2e footprint by 44% compared to conventional production without compromising material quality.
FKM is your high-end 3D printing service provider
for ready-to-install parts made of plastics, filled polymers or metal.
From materials consulting and design optimization to joint project co-engineering, we are our customers’ experts and partners for tricky tasks. With our complete after-print service consisting of testing technology with IATF certification and a range of surface technology with various finishing processes, we have been offering 3D printing services as a complete solution for almost 30 years – from a single source, with a lot of understanding.