GRI 3-3
The intensity of discussions and disputes at the COP27 meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, reflected the gravity of the climate crisis — but also made clear that net zero cannot be achieved by any one country or group of countries and that there can be no progress without partnership.
At Oerlikon, our strategy is to pursue sustainable innovation in collaboration with our customers so that they and their customers and industries are empowered to increase efficiency and productivity, optimize resource use and reduce energy and water consumption and waste.
The global population crossed the 8 billion milestone in 2022 and is projected to reach 10.9 billion by 2100. Worldwide growth in the middle class will continue to spark a rising demand for energy, food, clothing and other consumer products. As international trade grows in response to this lifestyle trend, there is also an increasing need for manufacturing solutions that are efficient, productive, profitable and designed to support a sustainable circular economy.
As a leading global technology company, we engineer solutions that contribute to a more sustainable planet. With our global footprint, we operate 205 sites in 37 countries, providing jobs for more than 12 100 employees. Through our global, regional and local organizations, we complement our own talents by partnering with suppliers, local contractors and service providers.
We serve a broad scope of end markets, including tooling, automotive, aerospace, power generation, polymer processing and textiles. With a portfolio of equipment, components and services that encompasses surface engineering, advanced materials and fiber production, we promote greater efficiency in energy consumption, longer lives for equipment and tools, increased usage of recycled fibers and materials and reduction of waste and CO2 emissions.
A large number of our products and solutions in our end markets continue to deliver sustainable benefits over their life span, be it for months or years. For example, our WINGS (Winding Integrated Godet Solution), which reduces energy consumption by as much as 40% during the yarn manufacturing process, or our high-tech abradable coatings that increase aerospace engine operation safety and reduce fuel consumption, thereby decreasing CO2 emissions.
To remain a technology leader, we are constantly innovating and developing new products or upgrades that deliver sustainability and efficiency. For example, we launched an enhanced EvoQuench system for nylon production. Quenching is the rapid cooling of the fibers after they have been heated and stretched during the spinning process, thereby improving the strength and durability of the fibers. By using significantly less air that needs to be conditioned for this process, EvoQuench can result in up to 80% savings in energy consumption. With this one-of-a-kind enhancement, the nylon fibers produced are softer, smoother and more refined like silk.
Another example is the optimization of our BALINIT C coating for large bearing applications, such as in wind turbines. These coatings reduce the friction and wear from mated parts, which improves the performance, reliability, and longevity of critical components. By extension, this reduces the cost of sustainable energy and also reduces CO2 emissions by extending maintenance intervals and thus requiring fewer spare parts. Because these coatings extend the life of component parts and reduce the frequency of replacements, the raw materials, metals and energy that are required to manufacture a replacement part are also saved.
Roller Bearings coated with BALINIT C by Oerlikon Balzers
In 2022, we invested around 4% of our sales (CHF 113 million) in R&D and filed 69 new patents. Oerlikon’s research and engineering strategy is driven by three priorities: customer needs, market potential and environmental concerns. Our R&D investments also include the development of next-generation solutions such as:
Here you can find many more examples and case studies of how our technological solutions – often developed in collaboration with our customers and partners – are helping customers to achieve their sustainability goals by reducing their carbon footprints, enhancing the performance of their equipment and production systems, saving costs, reducing the use of energy and resources as well as minimizing waste generation.
