Sustainability at the Core of Siemens Controllers
Buffalo Grove, IL , Tuesday, April 20, 2010
PXC36-EA Controller
Early in 2009 the Building Technologies Division of Siemens Industry, Inc. formally institutionalized its sustainability efforts, integrating policies and actions along four areas or pillars to define itself and identify and measure its success: Products, Operations, Solutions and Transparency. Among its sustainability successes within the Product category, Siemens controllers can be counted as high achievers, embodying sustainability principles at every stage of the product lifecycle.
Building Technologies PXC controllers are tangible evidence of Siemens commitment to protecting the environment. The company’s ISO 14001 environmental policy centers on the controller’s complete life cycle: from the early stages of development, to its environmentally compatible recycling and ultimate disposability. To accomplish this, Building Technologies PXC controllers use less material and more recycled materials, reduce energy use and eliminate lead, as well as implement other measures to voluntarily achieve European Union environmental standards for hazardous material content (RoHS Category 9) and recyclability (WEEE).
Engineers and product managers of Siemens PXC Series Controllers have committed the above-mentioned elements as mandatory requirements of product design going forward, which more specifically include:
Using Less Material
For both local and global product development it is now mandatory that each next generation product use less material by weight than the product it is replacing and includes next-generation controllers.
Using the Maximum Allowable Recycled Materials
For Siemens PCX Series Controller product designers and engineers it is mandatory to specify the use of the maximum allowable recycled materials (i.e., plastics, typically 20% max.) limited by regulatory agencies (UL, ULC, CSA, etc.).
Reducing Energy Use
It is now mandatory for Siemens product developers to ensure that each new generation of controllers use less energy than previous generations on a local and global basis.
Eliminating Lead Plating
For past generations of controller and other technologies, Siemens specified lead plating on various parts and other components. This practice has been deliberately eliminated and Siemens no longer uses these materials on new products. The company has eliminated its use on existing products as well, including APOGEE®, TALON® and PXC series controllers. Similarly, according to Siemens component engineer Jim Sharp, for a run of 26,500 PCA component boards, this practice allows Siemens to annually avoid using some 400 pounds of leaded solder.
Reducing/Eliminating Paper Labels
Paper labels use resources such as paper, glue, ink, etc. and are burdensome at the end of the product’s life because they must be removed in order to recycle the product. Siemens designers now only specify laser or pad printing where possible (no labels). In cases where direct printing or embossing is not possible, only miscible materials are used for labels which allows for 100% recycling of plastics. Similarly, every attempt is made to put all required information on a single label where possible. All PXC Series controllers for example, have terminal markings laser printed.
Recycling Through Take-Back Upgrade Programs
Siemens has completed a very successful upgrade and take-back programs and has six upgrade projects currently slated for FY10. The goal is to use as much of the existing enclosure, brackets, wiring, etc. from exchanged products to minimize discarded materials. This program feeds into the field organizations rolling out recycling our old and competitors products within the company’s branch facilities across the United States.
Voluntary Regulatory Compliance
Siemens controllers fall under Category 9 for the European Union’s Environmental RoHS program, which means PPM Series Controllers are exempt and Siemens has no obligation to comply with these environmental regulations. Four years ago Siemens product developers took the proactive step to have all of new products comply with these environmental requirements by eliminating Lead (Pb); Mercury (Hg); Cadmium (Cd); Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+); Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) from all new product designs and from all major redesigns of existing products.
European Union law also sets collection, recycling and recovery targets for all types of electrical goods. Siemens verifies its compliance and that the company meets the required 70% recyclable and 50% re-use recycling quotas for controller and other products. At Siemens WEEE marking has been added to all products sold globally.