The transition to greener paint shops is pivotal for vehicle manufacturers aiming to meet climate targets. The Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics (IBP) conducted a life-cycle analysis comparing two paint shop concepts, resulting in the development of Dürr’s EcoQPower system. This system, designed to network all energy flows across process steps, successfully reduces carbon emissions by 19.2% over its lifecycle compared to traditional paint shops. A significant part of this reduction is due to a 21% decrease in energy consumption during the utilisation phase, making it the first paint shop to comply with EU Taxonomy requirements. 

Jens Oliver Reiner, Senior Vice President of Sales in the Paint and Final Assembly division at Dürr, highlighted that the EU’s climate-neutral target for 2050 was a driving factor in developing a carbon-neutral strategy for paint shops. Instead of merely enhancing the energy efficiency of individual components, the EcoQPower system was conceived to integrate all paint shop energy sources and network components comprehensively. The system analyses energy sources and sinks while considering different operating states and historical climate data to systematically recover and reuse energy. 

To validate the EcoQPower system, Dürr partnered with the Fraunhofer IBP to demonstrate that the first paint shop optimized with EcoQPower, built for a German vehicle manufacturer, emits fewer greenhouse gases than one without the system. Scientists simulated and calculated the carbon footprint of two identical, all-electric factories—one with EcoQPower and one without. The comprehensive analysis, covering the lifecycle from production through to the end of life, revealed that EcoQPower could reduce the carbon footprint by 19.2%. As 91% of emissions occur during the utilization phase, EcoQPower significantly enhances the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) credentials of operators by enabling a more climate-friendly business. Additionally, the system’s 20.6% reduction in energy consumption during this phase translates to significant cost savings, potentially cutting energy costs by seven figures over 15 years and 110,000 painted car bodies annually. 

This innovative approach underscores the importance of integrated carbon-neutral strategies in achieving long-term sustainability and compliance with evolving environmental regulations. 

Sources: 

https://www.manufacturingtodayindia.com/durr-builds-the-first-eu-taxonomy-compliant-paint-shop/ 

https://www.durr.com/pl/media/news/news-detail/view/duerr-paint-shop-with-ecoqpower-requires-about-21-percent-less-energy-90047 

https://www.industryemea.com/news/82379-d%C3%BCrr-builds-the-first-eu-taxonomy-compliant-paint-shop