Porsche in Leipzig: Eco-robots and honey bees
On the occasion of the environmental action day "Earth Day" on 22 April, Porsche is pointing out its efforts to be CO2-neutral. The share of fully electric Porsche models is to be more than 80 per cent by 2030. "We are a pioneer of sustainable mobility and think of electromobility holistically," says Albrecht Reimold, Member of the Executive Board responsible for Production.
At the Leipzig plant, a resource efficiency programme is an integral part of the production, confirms Managing Director Gerd Rupp. The aim is to scrutinise and improve every process in terms of energy consumption, CO2 emissions, waste generation, water consumption and solvent emissions. So-called environmental and energy spokespersons are responsible for the consistent implementation.
According to Porsche, one of the particularly efficient measures of the past year is an eco-mode for welding robots in the body shop. These would automatically switch off the guns after 60 seconds of inactivity. The same applies to the conveyor technology in the paint shop. The Leipzig plant now saves four million euros per year through such measures, it says. Around "Earth Day", the sports car manufacturer also wants to further motivate its workforce. Training courses aim to raise awareness of environmental and climate protection.
Porsche Leipzig attaches particular importance to a multifaceted commitment. In addition to production, this also includes projects to preserve biodiversity: in addition to aurochs and Exmoor ponies, three million honey bees and numerous native wild animal species live in harmony with nature and the factory in the factory's off-road area. In addition, the factory there has been certified by the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) and awarded the top rating "platinum". In 2021, the Saxon site also received the "Lean & Green Management Award" in the Automotive OEM category.
According to Porsche, the Zuffenhausen headquarters has been manufacturing in a CO2-neutral manner since 2020, followed by the Leipzig site at the beginning of 2021. In 2023, it is planned to have the next generation of the Macan roll off the production line there as a purely electric model series.