groninger Schnelldorf Achieves Climate Neutrality

For several years, the groninger plant in Schnelldorf has been operating a state-of-the-art ice storage system that, in combination with heat pumps and solar power, efficiently heats and cools the company’s buildings. The system harnesses what is known as crystallization energy: when water freezes, heat is released and used for heating in winter; when it melts in summer, it provides natural cooling - entirely without climate-damaging refrigerants. The energy required for this process is generated by groninger’s own photovoltaic systems.

The concept has now been further reinforced by connecting the site to the local district heating network of DHB Therm GmbH, which produces heat from the combustion of biogenic wood chips. The facility uses regional wood residues and is therefore CO₂-neutral - an exemplary model of a functioning circular economy in groninger’s view.

“The local wood chip heating plant provides us with another reliable energy source and perfectly complements our existing systems,” says Volker Groninger, Managing Partner of groninger.

That the Franconian Bavarian site is now a pioneer in climate protection is no coincidence. Sustainability was already a key consideration during the planning of the plant, which opened in 2001 and was expanded in 2017 - long before the topic gained widespread attention in politics and business. “At the time, it was very difficult to justify economically - but we were convinced that sustainable thinking would pay off in the long run. Today we see that these decisions were the right ones,” adds his brother Jens Groninger, also Managing Partner of the family-owned company.

With the Schnelldorf site, groninger demonstrates how industrial production and climate action can go hand in hand. This is also emphasized by Jürgen Dollinger, Managing Director and co-initiator of the wood chip heating plant: “Our cooperation with groninger shows how regional partnerships can make a real contribution to energy supply - and how genuine transformation can succeed. Our plant uses exclusively regional wood residues, a renewable and CO₂-neutral raw material that is not only sustainable but also ensures security of supply. The fact that an industrial company like groninger is consistently pursuing this path sends a very strong message.” According to Dollinger, it clearly proves that ecology and industry are not mutually exclusive.

The achievement of climate neutrality at the Schnelldorf site was officially celebrated on Friday, April 24, during an inauguration event attended by representatives from politics, business and the workforce.

Following the welcome address by Volker Groninger, the speakers highlighted the significance of the project far beyond the local site. Tobias Strauß, Mayor of Schnelldorf, praised the company’s commitment: “Achieving 100 percent climate neutrality is a powerful statement - a clear commitment to the energy transition.” Especially in light of current energy policy challenges, it was crucial for industrial companies to assume responsibility and implement tangible solutions. “groninger is a true role model for the entire region,” he said.

Christian Ahnesorg, Director of IT and Quality Excellence at groninger and responsible for sustainability management, provided the strategic context for this milestone. He explained that achieving energy-related climate neutrality in Scope 1 and Scope 2 - covering direct emissions as well as purchased electricity and heat - was not the result of a single measure, but of a well-functioning combination of different approaches. “This is not a theoretical concept from a study - it works. And that is exactly what makes it so strong,” said Ahnesorg.

At the same time, he made it clear that sustainability at groninger is not a short-term trend but an integral part of the business model: durable machinery, energy-efficient processes, regional partnerships and investments with a long-term perspective. Schnelldorf, he emphasized, should not be seen as a special case, “but as a blueprint for our other sites.”