Volkswagen Pune plant to cut on energy, water consumption

German auto group Volkswagen today said it plans to reduce energy consumption at its Pune production facility by 436 megawatt hour per annum by equipping the assembly line with high-volume low-speed fans.
Besides, the car maker also aims to reduce water usage at the facility by 1636 cubic meter annually as part of its "Think Blue. Factory" initiatives for sustainable automotive production programme.
The 436 megawatt hour energy savings amounts to annual energy consumption of around 120 Indian households, Volkwagaen India said in a statement here.
Under the programme, which is operational at the Pune plant since 2012, the company said it aims to reduce the impact on environment due to manufacturing processes by 25 per car per car by 2018.

The 11 new HVLS fans installed at the assembly line in the plant would replace air handling units and ambiators, the company said, adding, these fans are equipped with built-in variable frequency drive to suit all seasons and thus help in lowering down the energy consumption as per requirement.
"The new HVLS fans installed at our Pune plant have resulted in further successful reduction of energy and water consumption. In addition to the environmental benefits, we have also ensured improved working conditions with cooler floors," Volkswagen India plant head and executive director for technical Andreas Lauenroth said in the release.

"Think Blue. Factory" focuses on efficiency improvements in production and the expansion of environmentally aware energy supplies, and addresses all employees at the plants.
As many as 27 Volkswagen production facilities across the world aim at reducing the impact of manufacturing on environment by 25 per cent per car.
This reduction is measured across key areas of energy, water, waste, CO2, etc.