ABB Motion is working with the recycling company Remondis in Germany. The aim of the partnership is to enable customers of the technology group to recycle their old electric motors in an environmentally friendly way. The low-carbon metals obtained through recycling are used for the production of new, highly efficient electric motors. These in turn have a significantly lower_{CO2 footprint}. The recycling offer applies to low-voltage and medium-voltage motors, regardless of voltage class and power.

Remondis already has experience in recycling old electric motors and has a recycling network within the Remondis Group as well as a broad network of recycling sites throughout Germany. Together with ABB Netherlands, a Remondis subsidiary has successfully established a similar recycling concept for electric motors in the Netherlands, which has been adapted to the requirements in Germany

The recycling company undertakes to deliver the recycled metal to selected metal reprocessors from which ABB obtains its metals for motor production. Due to the high recycled content, the metals have a low_{CO2 footprint}. A Remondis sustainability certificate documents the savings in primary raw materials, energy consumption and_{CO2 emissions} achieved in the course of disposal and recycling. The certificate can serve the participating companies as certified proof of their sustainability efforts.

With this partnership, ABB reaffirms its goal of becoming an industry leader in the circular economy. According to the company's sustainability strategy, at least 80 percent of products and solutions are to be treated according to the principles of the circular economy by 2030. The aim is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and drive the transition to a more circular economy.

Save 30 tons of CO2

Electric motors in industry and buildings account for 45 percent of global electricity demand. Even small increases in efficiency can save large amounts of energy and therefore_CO2 in these areas. Furthermore, calculations show that recycling 10 tons of motors, for example, saves 30 tons of_CO2, 300 MWh of energy and 91,000 m³ of water, according to ABB. For comparison: 300 MWh of energy are needed to heat an average family home for 16 years, and 91,000 m³ of water could fill 36 Olympic swimming pools.

Electric motors consist almost entirely of recyclable metals. ABB motors, for example, are up to 98 percent recyclable. With recycled copper, aluminum and steel, energy savings of between 75 and 95 percent can be achieved compared to the production of new metals.

"With the new offering, we can now provide our customers with solutions along the entire life cycle of motors from a single source - including disposal," explains Dr. Frank Simon, Head of Energy Efficiency at ABB Motion in Germany. "Replacing old, less energy-efficient motors with new, highly efficient motors also makes an important contribution to climate protection."