Recycling für den Klimaschutz - CO2-Emissionen bei der Verwertung von Sekundärrohstoffen im Vergleich zur Nutzung von Primärrohstoffen

The discussion about greenhouse gas emissions and the climate change motivates companies to increase their work on the topics of sustainability and reduction of emissions. Within this study, the Fraunhofer-Institute for Environmental-, Safety-, and Energy Technology (UMSICHT) has analysed the contribution to the reduction/saving of carbon-dioxide INTERSEROH SE makes by means of its economic activity. The study comprises a detailed elaboration on the most important material flows which are traded by Interseroh. The following article presents the methodology and the results of the study and shows the impact the economic activities of Interseroh have on CO2 emissions. The carbon dioxide emissions of the production and recycling processes are compared in order to calculate the CO2 balances. The activities of Interseroh resulted in reductions of carbon dioxide emissions of about 5.2 million tons in the year 2007. This number equals 0.6 % of the total German CO2-emissions