Concept for the circular economy at SPS 2023

The low-carbon metals recovered through recycling are used to produce new, highly efficient ABB electric motors with a significantly lower_{carbon footprint}. The recycling offer applies equally to low-voltage and medium-voltage motors, regardless of voltage class and power.

With this partnership, ABB is reaffirming its goal of becoming an industry leader in the circular economy. According to the company's sustainability strategy, at least 80 percent of ABB's products and solutions are to be treated according to the principles of the circular economy by 2030. The aim is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and drive the transition to a more circular economy.

Motor disposal now part of ABB's offering

"With the new offering, we can now provide our customers with solutions along the entire life cycle of motors from a single source - including disposal," explains Dr. Frank Simon, Head of Energy Efficiency at ABB Motion in Germany. "Replacing old, less energy-efficient motors with new, highly efficient motors also makes an important contribution to climate protection."

Together with frequency converters, high-efficiency motors are among the ABB technologies with the greatest energy efficiency potential. Electric motors in industry and buildings account for 45 percent of global electricity consumption. Even small increases in efficiency can save enormous amounts of energy and therefore_CO2 in these areas. Furthermore, calculations show that recycling ten tons of motors, for example, saves 30 tons of_CO2, 300 megawatt hours of energy and 91,000 cubic meters of water. For comparison: 300 megawatt hours of energy are needed to heat an average family home for 16 years, and 91,000 cubic meters of water could fill 36 Olympic swimming pools.

ABB motors 98 percent recyclable

Electric motors consist almost entirely of recyclable metals. ABB motors, for example, are up to 98 percent recyclable. With recycled copper, aluminum and steel, energy savings of between 75 and 95 percent can be achieved compared to the production of new metals.

With Remondis, ABB has a partner at its side that has extensive experience in recycling old electric motors and has an efficient recycling network within the Remondis Group as well as a broad network of recycling sites throughout Germany. Together with ABB Netherlands, a Remondis subsidiary has successfully established a similar recycling concept for electric motors in the Netherlands, which has been adapted to the requirements in Germany.

Remondis sustainability certificate serves as proof

Remondis undertakes to deliver the recycled metal to selected metal reprocessors from which ABB obtains its metals for motor production. Due to the high recycled content, the metals have a low_{CO2 footprint}. A Remondis sustainability certificate documents the savings in primary raw materials, energy consumption and_{CO2 emissions} achieved in the course of disposal or recycling. The certificate can be used by participating companies as certified proof of their sustainability efforts.