• As part of ABB’s Mission to Zero™ program, approximately 3,786 tons of carbon emissions were reduced at the Sasbach plant.
• Renewable energy, electrification, and digital energy management applications implemented at the plant strengthened operational stability while significantly reducing the carbon footprint.
ABB, which develops electrification and automation solutions for a sustainable and resource-efficient future, has achieved significant success at its Sasbach production plant in Germany under the Mission to Zero™ – Net Zero Mission. Thanks to renewable energy investments, electrification applications, and digital energy management solutions implemented within the framework of the program, the plant has both increased its operational resilience and significantly reduced carbon emissions.
Sasbach, one of ABB’s 37 plants worldwide participating in the Mission to Zero™ program, implements a data-driven decarbonization roadmap based on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and smart energy management. The plant, which produces panels and energy distribution systems, is considered a concrete example of low-carbon transformation in industry.
Given that manufacturing and production account for roughly one-fifth of global carbon emissions[i], increasing energy efficiency and expanding electrification are critical to achieving Europe’s climate goals. The Mission to Zero™ program implemented at the Sasbach plant clearly demonstrates how businesses can reduce carbon emissions while maintaining reliable and competitive operations.
Of the total 3,786 tons of emission reduction achieved under the program, approximately 2,700 tons came from certified renewable energy supply, and approximately 1,086 tons came from on-site efficiency and electrification applications. Approximately 550 tons of this on-site reduction was achieved from the expanded solar energy system. The 3,410 photovoltaic modules at the facility generate approximately 1,500 megawatt-hours of electricity annually. This amount corresponds to the annual electricity consumption of approximately 400 households.[ii]
The electricity generated by the facility itself meets approximately one-third of its total energy needs, providing protection against fluctuations in energy prices and supporting long-term energy security. The newly constructed transformer station allows for the stable integration of renewable energy into the facility’s infrastructure. Emission reduction is supported by electric power generation systems, energy efficiency applications, and digital energy management solutions.
Mike Mustapha, Head of ABB Electrification Smart Buildings Division, stated in his remarks on the subject: “The steps we are taking in Sasbach demonstrate the tangible results of our Mission to Zero™ program on the ground. Through investments in renewable energy, electrification, and digital energy management, we are reducing carbon emissions while strengthening energy resilience and operational stability. The key to sustainable transformation in the manufacturing sector lies in such feasible and measurable steps.
The facility aims to reduce carbon emissions in all processes
In addition to all this, ABB is modernizing its production processes to reduce energy demand at the source. The new powder coating plant in Sasbach increases production capacity while reducing energy needs. Equipped with heat recovery, the plant operates with a lower installed heating capacity compared to traditional systems. This supports both increased efficiency and production reliability.
In the Sasbach facility, additional efficiency applications have been implemented, including a complete switch to LED lighting in production areas, building automation with ABB i-bus® KNX, residual heat recovery in compressed air systems, and optimized process control. Furthermore, 21 electric vehicle charging stations at the facility support low-emission mobility for employees and visitors.
All applications implemented at the facility as part of ABB’s Mission to Zero™ program, launched in 2019, have significantly increased energy efficiency compared to 2019 levels, contributing to operational balance and cost reduction. ABB’s building automation and energy management solutions support data-driven decision-making by providing real-time visibility into energy use.
ABB has also defined a clear roadmap for the next phase of decarbonization in Sasbach. This includes installing battery systems to store excess solar energy, gradually replacing gas-based heating systems with electric heat pumps, and exploring the potential of wind energy.
Mission to Zero™ Program
The Mission to Zero™ program began as a local initiative at ABB’s Lüdenscheid factory in Germany and has since expanded globally. Today, ABB’s Mission to Zero™ facilities achieve annual reductions of over 60,000 tons of carbon emissions from operations, demonstrating how electrification, digitalization, and energy efficiency can drive measurable progress toward low-carbon production.
About ABB
ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation solutions for a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. ABB combines its expertise in engineering and digitalization to help industries become more efficient, productive, and sustainable while operating at high performance. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. ABB has over 140 years of history and approximately 110,000 employees worldwide. The company’s shares are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com
ABB Electrification is a global technology leader in ensuring the efficient and reliable distribution of electricity from source to outlet. With over 50,000 employees in 100 countries, we collaborate with our customers and partners to find solutions to the world’s biggest challenges in electricity distribution and energy management. As the energy transition accelerates and electricity demands increase, we are electrifying the world safely, intelligently and sustainably. At ABB, we operate with the ‘Engineered to Outrun’ philosophy, and we are passionate about helping our customers and partners do the same.