Renewable energy for sustainable road markings
SWARCO Road Marking Systems consistently relies on green electricity from certified sources and its in-house production. Since 1 January 2025, all production sites in the DACH region have been powered by sustainable energy. This ensures environmentally friendly and sustainable production of marking systems in Europe.
The sky over European industry has become increasingly dark in recent months. To dispel the dark clouds and get back on the fast track, sustainability and the responsible use of resources will be essential. SWARCO Road Marking Systems has been pursuing this path for some time and is now sending a clear signal: since 1 January 2025, two further production sites in Germany are being supplied exclusively with electricity from certified, renewable energy sources.
Renewable electricity: SWARCO Road Marking Systems already covers 60% of its global electricity needs with its company-owned PV systems – like this one on the roof of the SWARCO Global Glass Beads Technology Center in Neufurth (Austria) – or electricity from certified, sustainable sources.
Copyright: SWARCO Road Marking Systems
Exclusively green electricity in the DACH region
This is an important step in a comprehensive energy strategy that is based on efficiency, innovation and responsibility. Another cornerstone of the energy strategy is the conclusion of long-term energy contracts.
"From now on, all our production sites in the DACH region will be powered entirely by green electricity. This comes primarily from hydropower and photovoltaics – two low-emission energy sources that help preserve natural resources and contribute to sustainability.”
Expansion of in-house power generation
In addition to using green electricity from external sources, SWARCO Road Marking Systems is continuously investing in the expansion of its in-house photovoltaic systems. At European locations in Germany, Austria, Romania and the United Kingdom, the installed PV systems produce sustainable energy with a total capacity of an impressive 1.1 MWp. Taken together, the individual building blocks of the energy strategy are already producing encouraging results: by 2024, over 60% of the Road Marking Systems Division's total global electricity needs will be covered either by the division's own PV systems or by certified sustainable sources. Further increases are expected.
Heat – a valuable resource
Heat is generated during the production of products for road marking – in particular, the production of reflective glass beads requires temperatures beyond 1,000 degrees. This process heat is no longer left unused at SWARCO Road Marking Systems and is put to good use: at two locations in Germany and Austria, the energy is used to heat buildings and water. “This saves additional energy and avoids unnecessary CO₂ emissions,” explains Peter Tomazic. At the SWARCO site in Neufurth (Austria), the heat energy surplus can even be supplied to neighbouring companies. In 2023 alone, 3,420 MWh of heat energy was passed on to surrounding companies in this way. A prime example of responsible economic activity in which unused potential is transformed into valuable resources.
In a world in which resources are generally becoming increasingly scarce and climate change dictates action, such steps are the only way forward. SWARCO Road Marking Systems has reached the first milestones of a long-term strategy – and is ready to go the extra mile.
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SWARCO Road Marking Systems
About SWARCO Road Marking Systems
Quality products and services from SWARCO Road Marking Systems guide traffic safely from A to B by day and, above all, by night. On all types of roads. Whatever the weather. From a single source. Over 5,000 customers in more than 80 countries place their trust in them.