At a municipal meeting in Stadtallendorf, Fritz Winter Eisengießerei unveiled its extensive future plans. Led by CEO Ralf von Hörsten and Markus Semmler, Head of Factory Planning and Environmental Protection, the company announced an investment exceeding 300 million euros in the coming years. This investment is part of the largest investment program in the company's history and aims at a sustainable transformation of production processes. By 2045, the iron foundry intends to achieve CO2 neutrality.
The financial backbone of this initiative is a syndicated loan structured in collaboration with Debt Advisor Falkensteg and the international law firm Mayer Brown. CFO Jörg Müller emphasized that the size of the financing confirms the solid work of Fritz Winter and reflects the lenders' confidence in the company's future viability.
Eco Solutions for Sustainable Production
The investments will further develop the so-called "eco solutions", a series of innovative and sustainable production technologies developed by Fritz Winter over the last decade. This includes ecoCasting, regarded as the world's most sustainable iron casting process. It drastically reduces environmental impact by saving millions of liters of drinking water and eliminating the use of green sand.
EcoCoating represents environmentally friendly surface coatings designed to minimize wear on brake discs, extend their life, and reduce particulate emissions by up to 90%.
Additionally, investment in ecoMelting aims to make the foundry CO2-neutral and independent from fossil fuels.
CO2 Neutrality as a Guarantee of Future Security
A highlight of the planned expansions is the launch of one of the largest electric crucible furnace facilities in Europe in autumn 2024. This facility will enable significant reductions in CO2 emissions. Strategically focusing on more environmentally friendly production methods is a crucial step in future-proofing the locations.
Fritz Winter's leadership considers skilled employees a critical factor for the success of this sustainable transformation. "We combine bold strategies and transformative technologies to achieve lasting performance improvements and build a workforce that will be successful for this and the next generation," stated Jörg Müller. The company is determined to continue its pioneering work and make a significant contribution to environmental compatibility in the foundry industry.
