February 16, 2023

Solar Technology and E-mobility Strengthen Sustainable Strategy of MOBOTIX AG

One-third of the electricity required is self-generated - share of e-cars in the vehicle fleet increases

Langmeil, January 2023 – MOBOTIX has installed and commissioned twelve charging points with 11 kW each for e-vehicles at the company headquarters in Langmeil. With the use of solar energy from the large photovoltaic system with 600 kWp, which was commissioned on the roof of the production hall in the fall of 2022, the company is thus taking the following steps on its sustainable path, also with regard to important ESG key figures.

 

More than one third of the electricity demand is self-supplied

"The 600kWp photovoltaic system on the production building helps to reduce CO2 consumption significantly. We currently consume about 1,200,000 kWh of electricity and about 650,000 kWh of gas annually. 5000 sqm of roof area has been fitted with solar panels," explains MOBOTIX CEO Thomas Lausten. "Our calculations show we will produce about 615,000 kWh/a of electricity with them. This electricity will be used up to 72% at our site itself, and the remaining amount will be marketed. This means that we can already cover more than one-third of our electricity requirements ourselves, which reduces CO2 emissions at the site by approx. 380,000 kg CO2/a. During price fluctuations, the most significant possible independence from the electricity market is becoming increasingly important for us. Furthermore, MOBOTIX also generates heating energy for their production in an environmentally friendly and price-stable manner. Since the move to Langmeil in 2011, it has been generated from geothermal energy and is therefore CO2-neutral."

 

Solar

 

The reduced fuel consumption for company vehicles significantly contributes to environmentally conscious action. 25% of the company fleet and 40% of new registrations in 2023 already have an e-drive (complete and hybrid). In addition to company vehicles, employees can also charge their e-cars at the newly installed charging stations. Appropriate arrangements for handling and billing have been made. "In this way, we can perhaps create an incentive for our employees to switch to e-mobility themselves and thus extend the environmental commitment beyond the company," says Thomas Lausten.

 

E-Charger

 

Thoughtful and stringent action with vision - every measure counts

Together with the Manager Facility Management and other employees, the MOBOTIX CEO has founded a working group that is developing further measures to be implemented as quickly as possible. For example, the complete parking lot lighting, the hall lighting, and various corridors in the building have been converted to LED lighting. 

MOBOTIX crated flowering areas on the company grounds. The outdoor space is only mowed twice a year. This saves working time and money and protects insects and other animals. There are several bee boxes on the MOBOTIX factory premises. For the bee colonies, these flowering areas are valuable livelihoods and provide the nectar for the best organic honey.

Thomas Lausten has made the topic of sustainability and environmental protection a top priority at MOBOTIX: "We always talk about our technology being the future with its software, artificial intelligence, and deep learning. However, with this technical outlook, we always keep sustainability and the trappings in mind. Of course, we want to preserve and protect the environment and natural resources. Our headquarters are on a greenfield site at the foot of the Donnersberg mountain. Just looking out the window keeps us grounded and respecting and appreciating the surroundings," says Lausten.


European Green Deal and ESG criteria as guard rails

"We know that we still have a long way to go with many new ideas and measures," summarizes MOBOTIX CFO Klaus Kiener. "The path to sustainability is complex. Greenwashing doesn't help anyone. It's all about concrete and transparent steps that move us all forward. Many measures are anchored in the European Green Deal, the ESG criteria (Environmental Social Governance), and the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals as global targets for a better future. We are working daily to become even more sustainable and environmentally friendly. In working groups, we develop what the next steps on this path could be - in our day-to-day work, in production, in the use of our products and also in our interaction with suppliers. We want to build on this because customers, suppliers, employees, and society increasingly and rightly expect companies like MOBOTIX AG to lead by example."

 

Sustainability also as a requirement for MOBOTIX products and production

Durability, careful use of resources, having components manufactured as close to production as possible, and developing energy-efficient products and solutions - this is how MOBOTIX has been working since its foundation in 1999. The principle "Green IT," under which many IT companies want to make their production sustainable, is part of the MOBOTIX DNA. 

The durability and flexibility of MOBOTIX cameras also conserve resources. The mean time between failures (MRSP) of more than nine years is leading in the market. The multi-lens cameras, such as the M73 and S74 of the MOBOTIX 7 Generation, have a modular design. You can adapt them to new requirements without completely replacing the camera. The software of the MOBOTIX cameras can be updated via the network. You can install and update new functions on the camera without the need for environmentally harmful on-site inspections. 

The MOBOTIX support team rounds off the sustainable product offering. Before MOBOTIX cameras are disposed of, they are checked to see if board replacement or other repairs can extend a camera's life.

MOBOTIX IoT cameras process what they see in the camera itself. Therefore, they do not require additional energy-hungry servers or storage devices, which also saves resources. The robust MOBOTIX cameras also manage without fans or heating in a temperature range of -30°C to 60°C. The hemispherical 360-round camera and the "multi-lens" S74 allow you to do many projects with fewer cameras where several individual devices were previously needed. That, too, is efficient.