With the conversion of the Kronau site into a photovoltaic plant and modern heat pump system, AESSEAL Deutschland GmbH has sent a clear signal of commitment to sustainability, technical progress and responsible corporate management.
This project is much more than a technical modernisation programme – it is an example of how international corporate goals can be implemented visibly, tangibly and effectively at a local level. The transformation in Kronau is part of a long-term strategic orientation that the AES Engineering Group has been pursuing wholeheartedly for years.
The photovoltaic system, which went into operation in July 2024, was carefully planned, integrated into the existing building stock and technically designed to work optimally with the new heat pump.
The near €160,000 investment shows a willingness to not only talk about sustainability, but to implement it in concrete terms.
The PV system generates a steadily growing proportion of the electricity required and thus contributes directly to the reduction of Scope 2 emissions. At the same time, dependence on the electricity market is reduced, which is ecologically and economically advantageous. With a total installed capacity of 100 kWp, it has become a cornerstone of the branch’s sustainable energy concept.
On most summer days, it generates enough electricity to cover the entire operational demand, allowing the site to run almost completely on self-produced power. Even in winter, when overall solar yields are naturally lower, bright and sunny days frequently enable the branch to rely heavily on its own renewable generation.
This high level of self-sufficiency is strengthened by the integration of a modern heat pump, which not only provides efficient heating during the colder season but also delivers energy-saving cooling in the warmer months. The combination creates a balanced, modern energy system that reduces external energy dependency while contributing to the site’s long-term environmental objectives.
In addition, the branch has also implemented a series of smaller energy-saving measures.
The workshop has been fitted with new windows equipped with external blinds, improving insulation and enabling better control of heat gain.
The complete transition to LED lighting has reduced electricity consumption significantly while providing better light quality and longer service life across all areas of the facility. Also, the enhanced insulation of the roof has reduced heat loss in winter and helped to stabilise indoor temperatures in summer.
Taken together, these initiatives demonstrate that meaningful progress is not achieved through a single measure alone but through the interplay of different large-scale innovations and smaller improvements.
The new heat pump solution perfectly complements this approach as modern heat pump systems use stored environmental heat highly efficiently and almost completely replace fossil fuel heating systems.
With an annual performance factor of three to five, they generate many times the amount of electrical energy used as usable heat. By coupling with the photovoltaic system, Kronau has created a system that obtains most of the heat energy it needs from clean sources.
The renovation is also part of the company-wide ‘29by29’ initiative, which commits the AES Engineering Group to investing a total of £29 million (approximately €35 million) in environmental and sustainability projects between January 2021 and April 2029.
The group is also one of the companies that are documented as working ‘beyond net zero’ worldwide – achieved for four consecutive years – which means the group not only avoids, reduces and offsets emissions completely, but also achieves a positive net effect.
Stephen Shaw, Group Engineering Director AES Engineering commented on the investment.
This investment is an important step in reducing our environmental impact while demonstrating our dedication to the 29by29 initiative. Investing in renewable energy is not just a choice, it's a necessity for the future of our planet and our business.
The clear division of roles within the German organisation – AESSEAL Deutschland GmbH is a sales, consulting, service and repair unit which does not manufacture products – plays an important role in this. This positioning determines not only day-to-day operations, but also the way in which sustainable measures are introduced.
Where other companies have to convert complex production chains, AESSEAL Germany can focus on efficient building technology, energy use and optimised repair processes. Repair and service services in particular, make an additional contribution to sustainability by extending the service life of industrial components and conserving resources.
At the same time, the conversion is a cultural change. Sustainability is not created by technology alone, but by the people who operate, maintain and understand it. Many employees expressed pride in being part of a project that makes a tangible contribution to climate protection.
This reinforces the impact of the technical measures and demonstrates how strongly the values of ‘TEAMWORK – RESPECT – INTEGRITY’ are lived within the company, forming the framework within which decisions are made, projects are implemented and changes are accepted.
Overall, the renovation of the Kronau site represents a combination of technological progress, corporate responsibility and a culture of sustainability in practice, contributing to a global approach that goes far beyond net zero.
It is an expression of a company that takes its values seriously and assumes responsibility for the future.
Kronau is thus becoming a role model for how ecological commitment, economic efficiency and technological innovation reinforce each other and together form a sustainable perspective.
For more updates on our sustainability journey, visit: Sustainability page at AESSEAL Global.