For us, sustainability is not a trend, but a long-term corporate principle. With targeted investments, technological foresight and consistent implementation, we are reducing our ecological footprint – today and with a view to future generations. From energy supply to process optimization, we pursue the goal of making our production sites responsible and future-proof. 

Photovoltaics and self-supply of electricity: On the road to energy self-sufficiency

A central element of our sustainability strategy is the expansion of our own solar power supply. IGW (owner of Buser Oberflächentechnik AG and IGW) already operates photovoltaic systems with a total output of 530 kWp – including the systems on the other properties. A further 200 kWp are currently under construction, with an additional 180 to 200 kWp planned for 2027.  

It is worth noting that all PV systems are financed entirely through equity (IGW) – without the use of external funds. This underlines our commitment to independent, long-term investments in sustainable energy technology.  

IGW is preparing to integrate a battery storage system with a capacity of 2 MWh to optimize the use of its own electricity. From 2027/2028, we want to be in a position to make our energy supply almost completely self-sufficient in summer. This goal drives us – not only from an economic perspective, but also as an expression of our understanding of corporate responsibility.

Heat recovery: Systematic resource conservation

The use of existing energy sources is at the heart of our efficient use of resources. For more than 20 years, we have been using heat recovery (HR) from the exhaust air systems in our powder and wet coating department. This proven technology enables us to use the resulting process heat specifically to heat production areas – a principle that is both ecologically and economically convincing.  

Another example is our compressed air system (commissioning in 2022): The waste heat from the compressors is used entirely to heat our premises in winter. This alone saves us between 6,000 and 6,500 liters of heating oil per year. In the summer period, we also plan to use the heat recovery system to heat water – a further step towards a year-round optimized energy cycle.  

With each optimization, we strengthen our independence from fossil fuels and at the same time increase the energy efficiency of our processes. 

Fossil-free from 2027: CO₂ neutrality for the entire site 

The complete move away from fossil fuels is a key milestone on our path to climate-neutral production. Today, IGW still requires around 100,000 liters of heating oil per year to heat all buildings with a gross floor area of around 18,000 m². This consumption will be completely reduced to zero by March 2027 at the latest.  

The core measure is a water/water heat pump so that the waste heat from our coating systems can be used for the entire site in future. Through this targeted coupling of process and building technology, we are creating the conditions for a permanently CO₂-neutral energy supply.  

At the same time, IGW is continuously investing in upgrading the energy efficiency of its buildings. IGW invests around CHF 1 million per year in renovations and optimizations. The aim is to bring the entire site up to the Swiss Minergie standard by 2030 – and thus to be not only emission-free, but also state-of-the-art in terms of building physics. 

Sustainability in surface technology: industry insight and new developments

For us, sustainability does not end with energy supply – we also design responsible and future-oriented processes in surface technology itself. One example of this is our long-standing focus on repair and recoating solutions. Instead of completely replacing worn components, we enable their reuse through targeted post-treatment. In this way, we extend life cycles, reduce the use of materials and make an active contribution to combating the increasing consumption of resources.  

We are also focusing on PFAS-free coatings. This is due to regulatory changes at EU level, which are likely to lead to a comprehensive restriction of this substance class in the coming years. We are preparing for this at an early stage by evaluating alternative system solutions that function reliably even under high chemical or thermal loads – without critical substances.  

Our aim is to work with a sustainable mindset in all areas of surface technology – open to technology, willing to invest and with the clear objective of taking responsibility for the environment and society.