“The German Award for Sustainability Projects intends to make commitments to sustainability visible on all levels. It’s not the size that counts in that context but the lighthouse effect: the award-winning projects should inspire additional businesses and institutions to actively address the area of sustainability,” said former Federal Minister of Justice, former Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and patron of the German Award for Sustainability Projects Brigitte Zypries at the awards ceremony in Berlin.

A look at the statistics shows the importance that Schreiner Group’s more than five-million-euro geothermal energy project has not only for the company. Due to the utilization of groundwater pumping, the company becomes independent from gas and reduces its CO2 emissions significantly. A heat pump building erected specifically for this purpose and several decentralized heat pumps make it possible for the high-tech company to heat its buildings exclusively with sustainable energy. The heat pumps are operated using 100 percent green electricity—green electricity is also produced by photovoltaics on the company’s premises. By now, Schreiner Group has achieved full independence from gas through this project—setting new standards for sustainability and climate protection.

The jury of the German Award for Sustainability Projects recognized the model character of the project and its high relevance for the company. Schreiner Group, it said, was consistently pursuing the goals of the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi). The accolade was presented by news channel ntv, the German Institute for Service Quality (DISQ), and DUP UNTERNEHMER-Magazin in Berlin.

Dr. Thomas Gulden, Head of Environmental, Health and Safety Management, who accepted the award on behalf of Schreiner Group, said, “I’m obviously very happy that our heat pump project has been recognized with this award. However, I particularly hope that these actions may serve as an example and that we can show other companies how a project like this pays off ecologically as well as economically.”

With the geothermal energy project, Schreiner Group achieved complete independence from gas and its carbon footprint has clearly improved as well—because all heat pumps are fully powered by green electricity.