Heraeus and City of Hanau Sign Lease Agreement for Photovoltaic Facility

Hanau, 27. February 2024 - Heraeus is planning to build a large photovoltaic system on an open space on Rodenbacher Weg. This reflects Heraeus' commitment to making green energy a pillar of its site development in Hanau. The city council of Hanau has approved the lease agreement and the development plan for the open space on Rodenbacher Weg, as did the city council at its meeting yesterday.

"I expressly support the exemplary actions of the long-established Hanau company Heraeus. The ecological commitment at the site fits in very well, as the city is also taking many steps towards climate neutrality. From an economic point of view, the project is also a perfect fit for the site, as the open space is not suitable for either residential or commercial development," said Lord Mayor Claus Kaminsky.

Heraeus began installing photovoltaic systems on all suitable roofs at its Hanau site last year. Together with the new ground-mounted system on Rodenbacher Weg, these will generate around nine gigawatt hours of solar power per year starting in 2025. This corresponds to about one-fifth of the site's total electricity consumption in 2023. The electricity generated will be fed directly into the Heraeus site and used there.

The company is committed to reducing its carbon footprint. "I am pleased that the Group has committed to an overarching Group-wide goal to reduce its own CO2 emissions by 2030 in order to limit global warming to 1.5°C in accordance with the Paris Agreement," said Jan Rinnert, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Management of the Heraeus Group. "The PV systems at our Hanau site and around the world are making an important contribution."

The lease agreement covers approximately seven hectares of land directly adjacent to the Heraeus site. The land is owned by the City of Hanau and is located in a water conservation area, which means it can only be used for green space or photovoltaic systems. Initial work has already begun, including clearing, mitigation and necessary demolition. The planting of trees and hedges and the creation of flowering meadows will ensure the preservation of the local flora and fauna. Completion is scheduled for the end of 2024.

Heraeus serves numerous industries with its products and operates innovative production processes at the Hanau site. The processing and recycling of precious metals is particularly energy-intensive. André Christl, Managing Director of Heraeus Precious Metals, adds: "The photovoltaic system makes a significant contribution to reducing our emissions and thus achieving our sustainability goals. At the same time, we can significantly reduce our electricity costs."

The planning and implementation of the project was carried out in close coordination with the authorities and the city of Hanau to ensure an efficient and environmentally responsible use of the space. This collaboration reflects the shared vision and commitment of both sides to create future-proof and sustainable energy options.