Biogas helps Audi Brussels plant go CO2 neutral

Audi Brussels has been awarded a CO2 neutral certificate by the Belgian testing company Vinçotte.

According to a statement, the award means Audi Brussels is operating the world’s first certified CO2 neutral high volume production plant in the premium segment.

The German car maker’s Belgian facility covers all production processes and all other emissions generated at the plant either by renewable energies (approximately 95%), or compensates for them though environmental projects (5%).

Biogas is playing a crucial role in the facility’s strive to carbon neutrality, fulfilling the heating needs for the plant itself as well as the offices on site.   

Alongside biogas, a host of other technologies are being used, including the largest photovoltaic system in the region, which is used for electricity generation. “As the first plant in the Audi Group purely for electric cars, sustainable and environmentally friendly production is particularly important to us,” said Patrick Danau, managing director of Audi Brussels.

“We see this as an obligation to society that pays off on all sides.”

For emissions that cannot currently be avoided by switching to renewable energy sources, the facility has set up a number of carbon credit projects.

“In 2014, we were the first premium manufacturer to measure our CO2 footprint and have it certified. Since then, we have been working steadily to reduce it further,” stated Rüdiger Recknagel, Head of Environmental Protection at AUDI AG.

“We are also installing new technologies at all our plants to reduce water consumption, prevent air pollution and improve recycling.”