Mercedes Benz aims to make car painting carbon neutral
The Dürr Group and Mercedes-Benz have entered into a strategic partnership to make vehicle painting CO2-free. The Mercedes-Benz paint shop in Sindelfingen is to be equipped with the latest technologies from the world market leader Dürr in the coming years.
The partnership agreement, which has been concluded for several years, is a premiere in the long cooperation between Mercedes-Benz and Dürr. It includes a declaration of intent to jointly plan and implement the renewal of painting technology in the German plants. The first project is the new construction of a sustainable paint shop in Sindelfingen, Germany. Planning for this has already begun, and Dürr is expected to receive the supply order from Mercedes-Benz next year.
Within the framework of the partnership, it is planned to reduce energy consumption per painted car body to less than 400 kwh. This corresponds to less than half the current consumption. Dürr software applications for energy management and exceptionally energy-efficient technologies, for example for the economical and intelligent operation of paint booths and car body ovens, are to contribute to the reduction.
Fossil-free car painting
In addition, painting will be possible without fossil fuels in the future. Instead, energy needs are to be met by green electricity. This will enable CO2-free operation and is an important step toward decarbonizing automotive production.
Dr. Jochen Weyrauch, CEO of Dürr AG: “Optimizing energy consumption in the painting process is the key prerequisite for being able to build cars in a climate-neutral way. That is why the development of energy-efficient and climate-neutral technologies is at the top of our innovation agenda.” Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Production and Supply Chain Management: “By 2039, we intend to cover the energy needs of our global production network of Mercedes-Benz entirely with renewable energies.”