Kaisersesch, April 15, 2023. Covering an area of 35,000 m², the CLASSEN new photovoltaic system produces green energy for the Kaisersesch production site. The massive solar park generates enough electricity annually to power around 1,300 two-person households for an entire year or to supply a soccer stadium with energy for approximately 200 games. This is ensured by the nearly 7,000 modules, which generate around 4,234,000 kWh of electricity within a year. The modern PV system is located on a field in the immediate vicinity of the Kaisersesch plant and is seamlessly connected to production. It supplies the most energy-intensive areas – the granulate plant and sheet production – with green electricity. This brings CLASSEN a big step closer CLASSEN ambitious goals in terms of sustainability and the circular economy. The family-owned company is increasingly relying on renewable energies in the manufacture of completely recyclable floor coverings such as CERAMIN®.

To date, the solar system has achieved a self-sufficiency level of 11 percent—not including the company's own biomass power plant and the additional solar modules planned. This means that more than a tenth of the electricity consumption can already be covered by the company's own PV system. Only nighttime production is not possible with solar energy, which distorts the otherwise very good self-sufficiency level. In order to use green electricity as efficiently as possible during the day, the machines operate at staggered times throughout the week. This allows solar power to be generated and consumed directly. On summer days, the entire Kaisersesch plant is even powered solely by the solar system. The investment of around three million euros in the sustainability and self-sufficiency of the plant is therefore paying off. The flooring manufacturer expects the investment to pay for itself within 4.5 years. CLASSEN consistently CLASSEN to sustainability for years and is already working on a second solar park at the same location. The company predicts that both PV systems combined will be able to cover around a quarter of its electricity requirements using solar energy alone.

The implementation of the solar power system proved to be difficult time and again. It took almost two years from planning to commissioning – significantly longer if CLASSEN had CLASSEN been prepared to take risks. The project started in July 2021. The building application was submitted in December. It took another six months for the permit to be granted. With delivery times of up to two years, the uncertain wait for the permit threatened to further delay the energy transition at the company. That was not an option for the family-owned business. "If you really want to change something, you have to act instead of waiting," says Stefanie Quervel, CFO at the CLASSEN . CLASSEN to procure the solar modules and transformer stations at its own risk – before receiving the building permit. The project paid off and the PV system went into operation in April. The flooring manufacturer is convinced of the project's success and is already working on a second solar park with about twice as many modules (13,824). The additional PV system is expected to produce 5,684,000 kWh of electricity and increase the degree of self-sufficiency in solar energy to around 25 percent.

With Cradle to Cradle Material Health certification, the CLASSEN is sending a strong signal for sustainable innovation in the flooring industry. "This certification is another milestone for our company and shows that sustainable business practices and high-quality product solutions can go hand in hand," explains Sebastian Wendel, responsible for strategic business development at the CLASSEN.