Jul 10 2013
The most recent laboratory wing of BYK Additives & Instruments, a division of ALTANA AG, has been the first lab building in Germany to receive the highest distinction that the U.S. Green Building Council awards as part of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.
LEED defines a series of standards for environmentally friendly, resource-efficient and sustainable construction. Hence special importance was placed at the planning stage on an efficient use of energy. BYK Additives & Instruments invested in geothermal energy, heat pumps and heat recovery systems in order to reduce primary energy consumption by over 30%. 8,000 square meters of laboratory space were created using building materials that either come from renewable materials or can be easily recycled. Even the ventilation system for the 130 state-of-the-art work stations meets the strict energy standards.Dr. Gerald Kirchner, the project manager, states: "Thanks also to the early enlistment of the LEED certification auditor from Jones Lang LaSalle, the project team was professionally and effectively supported throughout the entire planning and implementation process."
Further on Albert von Hebel, Managing Director Finance,states:“This ultramodern laboratory building is a further component in our comprehensive Greenability concept. We don’t just develop additives that enable our customers to market environmentally friendly products; rather we begin directly at the local level and examine where we might act in a more eco-conscious way. The Platinum status represents excellent validation of our pursuing this course.”