Volkswagen's eco-campaign helps reduce CO2 emission and energy consumption in Pune plant

CHENNAI: Volkswagen India’s ‘Think Blue. Factory’ initiatives for sustainable automotive production has helped its Pune plant reduce CO2 emissions by 6.4% and energy consumption by 5.5%. The company said in a statement that its target is to reduce total fresh water consumption by 10% in 2013.


Environmental sustainability is a global target set by Volkswagen. The ‘Think Blue. Factory’ project, which was globally announced in 2011 and implemented in the Pune plant from 2012, focuses on reducing the environmental impact of all Volkswagen plants across the world by 25% by 2018 based on 2010 values. This applies especially to energy consumption, water consumption, waste generation, air-borne emissions including carbon dioxide emissions.

Mahesh Kodumudi, president & MD, Volkswagen India Private Limited, said, "The strategic goal for the Volkswagen Group is the economic and environmental leadership in the global automotive industry by 2018. The 'Think Blue. Factory.' initiatives are a key to achieving the goals.With the 'Think Blue. Factory.' initiatives we aim to reduce the impact on the environment by 25% by 2018."

Volkswagen undertook several actions at its Pune plant from 2012 as a part of "Think Blue. Factory." initiatives. Through these actions, Volkswagen Pune Plant achieved a reduction of 6.4% in specific CO2 emissions and 5.5% in specific energy consumption in 2012 as compared to 2011. The prime initiatives leading to this reduction included optimizing on/off timings of equipments, replacing high energy consumption lights with low energy consumption lights and reduction of electric lights by utilizing natural lighting in various areas of the plant. The biggest achievement for Volkswagen India is the specific energy consumption at its Pune plant that has now been reduced to 1.016 MWh/car which happens to be the best amongst the Volkswagen plants worldwide. The energy saving achievements were also recognized with a global Volkswagen Energy Award in 2012.

Mr Andreas Lauenroth, Executive Director Technical, Volkswagen India Private Limited, commented, "'Think Blue. Factory.' is a holistic approach which motivates our employees to implement the 'Think Blue. Factory.' ideas not only in the plant but also in their personal lifestyle."

One of the next steps towards achieving the targets of the "Think Blue. Factory." initiatives is the inauguration of a Biogas plant in the premises of the Volkswagen Pune factory. Monthly biological waste of approximately 10 tonne will be fed to the highly automated and modern Biogas plant which will recycle the waste to produce cooking gas. This ecologically produced gas will be supplied back to the central kitchen for cooking processes.