High quality made sustainable
Energy and resource-saving production at Vogelsang

As a successful international company, Vogelsang GmbH & Co. KG would never simply boast about being a manufacturer of environmental technology – but it’s an irrefutable fact that Vogelsang products are often used in environment-related sectors and fields, or even specially developed for such purposes. 

We have machines and systems all over the world that help to make the collection and cleaning of wastewater more energy-efficient. Vogelsang system components even help to improve efficiency in biogas plants, while spreading technology “Made by Vogelsang” ensures precise and environmentally friendly use of liquid manures in the agricultural sector. In addition, companies in the recycling industry also place their trust in Vogelsang’s experience. When used as a rotary lobe generator the pump technology invented by Vogelsang is the first choice when it comes to converting water pressure into electrical energy.

It’s no coincidence that Vogelsang technology has become established as an environmentally friendly alternative in so many different fields. It’s all down to the fundamental principles and sense of responsibility held by the family that owns the company, which shape every aspect of its business.

As experienced entrepreneurs with a nose for business, the Vogelsangs earmarked energy at an early stage as a factor that could set their company apart from the competition. They also recognized the need to treat their resources with care.

“We wouldn’t have been able to turn Vogelsang GmbH & Co. KG into an internationally successful company if we didn’t see these requirements as an opportunity. The same applies to our own operations: In order to bring our personal requirements in line with the need to put the company in a secure and sustainable position for the future, we make sure that our production saves on energy and resources wherever possible,” says Hugo Vogelsang, summing up the company’s approach.

Business in good conscience

With this in mind, it’s no wonder that the Managing Director in charge of production is able to name plenty of examples as evidence of his quest for sustainability. However, it’s the little things that make the biggest
difference: “As an example, the very high degree of vertical integration at our own factory enables us to cut transport routes for heavy parts by many kilometers. This means less pollution from CO2 emissions, less noise, more direct delivery, etc.,” says Hugo Vogelsang. 

The company also works with local suppliers wherever possible. Most cast parts are supplied by a foundry just a few kilometers away. Meanwhile, gathering up scrap from cast part production, sorting it by type and loading it back into the truck before it makes its return journey is a well-established part of the long-standing business relationship. This cuts out unnecessary journeys to the scrap trade and the additional transport they would entail. Vogelsang also applies the same practice to other production scrap and waste. Wherever possible, any leftover material is collected and sorted by type to ensure it is recycled as best as possible.

This approach is also successful in reducing quantities of waste and leftover material. For example, the company has been able to reduce its paper and cardboard tonnage by 40% through measures such as consistently recycling the paper and cardboard packaging it receives with its deliveries. The company has also analyzed and improved the processes for its in-house coating plant. For over 15 years, Vogelsang has been using a solvent recovery unit to reduce its net consumption. By switching to high-solid paint, modernizing its spraying system and – last but not least – making logistical adjustments, it was possible to place 25% less paint and coating waste in the disposal over the last three years.

Chips – a leftover that still has plenty of potential

Saving both the environment and our budget is a philosophy that also governs the CNC manufacturing process for certain workpieces at Vogelsang. We don’t just filter the cooling lubricants we require for chipping like many other companies do – Hugo Vogelsang also began optimizing the programming for its CNC machines years ago: “Instead of continuously conveying the chips into chip containers as the manufacturer intended, we only run our chip conveyor at intervals. This discontinuous operation offers two advantages: It significantly reduces energy consumption and also results in the chips being left on the conveyor belt for longer. This means that even more cooling lubricant can drip off and be channeled back into the machine to be used again,” the professional mechanical engineer explains.

This little trick has proven to be such a great advantage that some manufacturers have now integrated interval operation for the chip conveyor into the controls of their CNC machines as a standard feature.

In order to collect even more cooling lubricant and make the chips as dry as possible, Vogelsang also uses specially shaped chip containers and collection containers. “At the end of the day, the chips have a level of dryness that other companies can only match by using an additional, more energy-consuming treatment of the chips, e.g., by employing a briquette press. Thanks to our well thoughtout chip-handling process, we don’t need that energy at Vogelsang,” says Hugo Vogelsang, giving the final word on his CNC production designs.
 

It’s all down to the fundamental principles and sense of responsibility held by the family that owns the company,
which shape every aspect of its business.