BMW’s Landshut to Be World's 1st Zero Emission Foundry

Technical advancements achieved over the last few years in vehicle production technologies will allow German manufacturer BMW to become the first in the world to operate a zero emission foundry. The company's Landshut plant in Germany will be converted in 2010 to produce 98 percent less emissions of combustion residues.

The achievement will be made possible with the addition of a new sand core production method for gravity die-casting, replacing the traditional organic binders with eco-friendly inorganic ones.

“Inorganic sand core production positions us at the forefront of the foundry industry,” Wolfgang Blumlhuber, head of BMW's light-alloy foundry said in a release. “We see inorganic sand core production as key to competitive operation, particularly in highly industrialised countries with stringent environmental regulations, where manufacturing costs are correspondingly high.”

The Landshut employs around 1,300 people and to produce aluminum crankcases and cylinder heads. The new technology is already in use on the six-cylinder diesel engines lines. For the employees, BMW hopes the move will mean better working conditions, but also expects about 10 percent reduction in manufacturing production times.

The company did not make any comments on how much the implementation of the new technology will cost.

“We will be able to fully amortise the investment in tools and equipment, along with our development costs, in the space of just a few years at most thanks to increased productivity, and thanks to savings on tool maintenance, tool and workshop air extraction systems and waste air treatment systems,” Blumlhuber added.