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Commitment to the environment and our natural resources has been a central component of the MERKUR GROUP's business activities for decades. The focus here is on projects to conserve resources, the use of photovoltaics and wind power, the use of combined heat and power plants, and efficient recycling management. The primary goal is to reduce the Group's ecological footprint as much as possible and thus contribute to the protection of the environment in the long run.
The MERKUR GROUP operates an energy management system in accordance with the international DIN EN ISO 50001 standard, which establishes globally recognized standards for energy management. Energy consumption across around 1,000 locations is systematically recorded, analyzed, and evaluated. Our energy team actively supports the sites, identifies potential savings, and develops measures to improve energy efficiency. Each year, selected locations are visited as part of internal audits, analyzed, and supported in implementing improvements. This ensures that our energy management system is not only documented, but also effectively integrated into everyday operations.
The group is striving for new forms of value creation, with appliance recycling playing a key role. The aim is to extend the life cycle of the products we produce and use by sharing, renting, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, or recycling materials and appliances.
By implementing new business models, such as "Product-as-a-Service" (PaaS for short) and the use of special technologies, the first steps towards a circular economy have already been taken. Thanks to product design and a gentle dry ice cleaning process, 50% of the components of national rental and leasing appliances can already be reconditioned, recycled, and reused.
The use of renewable energy has a long tradition at the MERKUR GROUP. For more than two decades, we have been making targeted investments in renewable forms of energy generation. A major milestone was the commissioning of a wind turbine at the production and development site in Lübbecke in 1999. With a rated output of 750 kW, the turbine made an important contribution to the site’s self-sufficiency in electricity and demonstrated the MERKUR GROUP’s early commitment to renewable energy.
In addition to wind power, the MERKUR GROUP also relies on solar energy for sustainable electricity generation. Many company-owned properties in Germany are equipped with photovoltaic systems, with most of the generated electricity being used directly on site. This reduces the need for electricity from the public grid and actively contributes to a more sustainable energy supply. Combined heat and power plants (CHP) further support this approach by generating electricity and heat simultaneously, ensuring particularly efficient use of energy resources.
E-mobility is another key pillar of our strategy. The MERKUR GROUP is continuously expanding its charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. Company-owned charging stations are operated at various locations. Part of this infrastructure is located at our administrative sites in Espelkamp and Lübbecke, where employees can use the charging facilities at discounted rates.
In addition, several charging stations have been installed at gaming halls and MERKUR Casinos throughout Germany. Further charging options are being created, particularly at highly frequented locations, to make electric mobility practical and attractive in everyday life. Combined with photovoltaic systems, this charging infrastructure represents an important contribution to future-oriented and lower-emission mobility.
