Handtmann wins "Sustainability Award in Automotive 2021"

The “Green Foundry Kechnec” project convinced the jury of experts

The Handtmann Group of Companies from Biberach received the “Sustainability Award in Automotive”, jointly organised by the ATZ/MTZ Group and Roland Berger. Handtmann was announced the winner in the “Operations” category out of a total of 50 contenders from the automotive industry with the “Green Foundry Kechnec – Handtmann sets new standards” project.

With its Kechnec plant in Slovakia, Handtmann is currently building the most technologically advanced foundry in Europe. “We are setting new standards here in terms of sustainability,” explains Company Director Thomas Handtmann. “For example, not only by increasing energy efficiency and reducing gas consumption and thus emissions, but also by halving the amount of hazardous substances used in production. What's more, the plant will be 100 percent process wastewater-free.”

The focus is on the environment

“We are proud that our efforts to make the new plant ‘green’ have now also been rewarded with and accolade,” says a pleased Thomas Handtmann. In mid-April, the Biberach company had been nominated for the top three rankings in the “Operations” category, together with Polestar and Volkswagen AG, and was now named the winner in the final round.

Companies that have a significant impact on the sustainability of the automotive industry with their products, processes and initiatives are recognised with the “Sustainability Award in Automotive”. This award is geared towards manufacturers of passenger cars, light and heavy commercial vehicles, construction and agricultural machinery and off-highway vehicles as well as their suppliers and subcontractors based in Europe. Applications are accepted in one of the categories Drive Technology, Complete Vehicle, Operations and Supply Chain. The focus here is on the contribution to one of several aspects of environmental, social or governance sustainability.