Arçelik’s washing machine factory in Ulmi, Romania, ranked among the most advanced in the world in terms of environmental sustainability. Indeed, Arçelik, a global appliance manufacturer and subsidiary of Turkey’s largest industrial conglomerate, Koç Holding, has been awarded Sustainability Lighthouse status by the World Economic Forum (WEF) for its manufacturing plant . ‘Ulmi, Romania. A recognition that rewards effective measures in terms of energy performance applied on the site. This follows the already existing statusArçelik as a Global Lighthouse awarded by WEF to its Ulmi plant in 2019 and Eskişehir plant in 2021 for the successful adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies to improve productivity and performances.

Sustainability Lighthouse

The World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse Network (GLN) seeks to promote 4IR technologies to transform production facilities, value chains and business models. In 2021, GLN introduced Sustainability Lighthouse as a new designation to recognize manufacturers who apply innovative 4IR transformations to boost productivity while preserving the environment.

Arçelik shows the way

Arçelik’s washing machine factory in Ulmi, Romania, leads the way in efficient and sustainable manufacturing and uses state-of-the-art technologies for improved energy and water efficiency. The Ulmi plant is now designated as one of the Global Lighthouse Network’s ten sustainability flagship sites. A new recognition that Hakan Bulgurlu, CEO of Arçelik, commented saying: “ We are proud to be recognized as a pioneer in sustainable development by the World Economic Forum. This is a reflection of our deep commitment to environmental protection throughout our organization. We have ambitious environmental goals and we believe that theWe aim to achieve net zero emissions for all of our operations by 2050 through green investments in renewable energy, as well as energy efficiency in products and production. Our plant in Ulmi acts as a Sensitivity: Public laboratory and serves as an example for the entire Arçelik ecosystem. We set out to build not only an efficient Industrial 4.0 site in terms of production, but also a unit that reflects our commitment to contributing to a better future. And this recognition is well deserved, thanks to investments in advanced technologies and green production applications. I am proud of all my colleagues who have worked hard and with dynamism to achieve this. »

As a world leader in sustainability, the Arçelik washing machine factory in Ulmi stands out for the following achievements :

• The factory is the first and only production unit in Romania to hold LEED Platinum certification.
• The factory uses 100% green electricity. It has renewable energy systems for heating and cooling, such as rooftop solar (PV) panels (930 kWp) and concentrated solar power (700 kWth) and plans to increase the yield of the panels 160% solar power by the first half of 2023.
• The factory’s “digital twin” model automatically adjusts lighting and optimizes cooling and heating systems. The building management system uses an algorithm that leverages approximately 15,000 real-time data points from more than 650 energy-measuring devices and sensors.
• The lighting system uses 62.9% less electricity than a non-automated system , and the need for natural gas boilers is reduced by 34.5% for the preparation of domestic hot water.
• Due to the high level of water stress around the plant, an advanced treatment plant was installed, treating 100% of domestic and industrial wastewater, and recycling and reusing 68% of its water intake.
• All these efforts have resulted in a 17% energy saving per product, a 25% reduction in water consumption per product and a 22% reduction in scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions per product in production in one year , in accordance with company objectives.
• Since its commissioning, the plant has avoided the emission of 684 tons of CO2.

• The factory uses 100% green electricity. It has renewable energy systems for heating and cooling, such as rooftop solar (PV) panels (930 kWp) and concentrated solar power (700 kWth) and plans to increase the yield of the panels 160% solar power by the first half of 2023.