Siemens Unveils Groundbreaking Circuit Breaker with Biomass-Balanced Plastics

Siemens Unveils Groundbreaking Circuit Breaker with Biomass-Balanced Plastics

(IN BRIEF) Siemens Smart Infrastructure and BASF have partnered to introduce a groundbreaking innovation in electrical safety products, unveiling the first circuit breaker to incorporate components made from biomass-balanced plastics. The SIRIUS 3RV2 circuit breaker utilizes materials derived from renewable sources, such as agricultural waste, in place of fossil feedstock, resulting in a significant reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 270 tons annually. This collaboration aligns with Siemens’ sustainability goals, aiming for a 1.5°C science-based decarbonization target and robust eco-design for all relevant product families by 2030. The circuit breaker’s introduction marks a milestone in sustainable manufacturing practices, demonstrating Siemens’ commitment to resource efficiency and environmental responsibility.

(PRESS RELEASE) ZUG, 10-Jun-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Siemens Smart Infrastructure and BASF jointly announced today a significant milestone in sustainable innovation with the introduction of the first electrical safety product integrating components crafted from biomass-balanced plastics. The SIRIUS 3RV2 circuit breaker, a vital element in industrial and infrastructure applications, now utilizes Ultramid® BMBcertTM and Ultradur® BMBcertTM materials from BASF, replacing fossil feedstock with biomethane derived from renewable sources like agricultural waste.

This groundbreaking transition in the production of SIRIUS 3RV2 circuit breakers marks a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 270 tons per year. It aligns with Siemens’ sustainability objectives within its DEGREE framework, aiming for a 1.5°C science-based decarbonization target and robust eco-design for 100 percent of relevant product families by 2030.

The incorporation of sustainable materials is a pivotal step in Siemens’ commitment to resource efficiency and decarbonization. Following the success of the SIRIUS 3RV2 circuit breaker, Siemens plans to expand the use of sustainable materials across its broader SIRIUS industrial controls portfolio, emphasizing the role of materials in reducing carbon emissions and conserving natural resources.

The SIRIUS 3RV2 circuit breaker meets the rigorous criteria of the Siemens EcoTech label, providing customers with comprehensive insights into product performance and environmental impact. Besides featuring biomass-balanced plastic components, the product boasts lower power consumption over its lifetime compared to its predecessor, contributing to a circular economy and a more sustainable future.

Andreas Matthé, CEO of Electrical Products at Siemens Smart Infrastructure, expressed the importance of collaboration with BASF in advancing sustainable plastics innovation. BASF’s commitment to renewable and recycled raw materials aligns with the circular economy goals, gradually replacing fossil raw materials with bio-based and recycled feedstock.

Martin Jung, President of BASF Performance Materials, highlighted the mass balance approach as a game-changing solution for sustainable production processes, enabling the gradual replacement of fossil raw materials with alternative sources like biomethane and bio-naphtha.

The SIRIUS 3RV2 circuit breaker’s innovative use of sustainable materials without compromising safety functionality and performance underscores Siemens’ dedication to sustainability and safety in industrial and infrastructure applications.

Circuit breakers play a crucial role in safeguarding factories and buildings worldwide, protecting machinery and electrical cables from faults like short circuits. The SIRIUS 3RV2 circuit breaker, featuring sustainable plastic components, will be showcased for the first time at the ACHEMA trade fair in Frankfurt, offering visitors an opportunity to learn more about Siemens EcoTech and sustainable innovation in electrical safety products.

Siemens Smart Infrastructure (SI) is shaping the market for intelligent, adaptive infrastructure for today and the future. It addresses the pressing challenges of urbanization and climate change by connecting energy systems, buildings, and industries. SI provides customers with a comprehensive end-to-end portfolio from a single source – with products, systems, solutions, and services from the point of power generation all the way to consumption. With an increasingly digitalized ecosystem, it helps customers thrive and communities progress while contributing toward protecting the planet. Siemens Smart Infrastructure has its global headquarters in Zug, Switzerland. As of September 30, 2023, the business had around 75,000 employees worldwide.

Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a leading technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare. From more resource-efficient factories, resilient supply chains, and smarter buildings and grids, to cleaner and more comfortable transportation as well as advanced healthcare, the company creates technology with purpose adding real value for customers. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers its customers to transform their industries and markets, helping them to transform the everyday for billions of people. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, a globally leading medical technology provider shaping the future of healthcare.
In fiscal 2023, which ended on September 30, 2023, the Siemens Group generated revenue of €77.8 billion and net income of €8.5 billion. As of September 30, 2023, the company employed around 320,000 people worldwide. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com.

About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €68.9 billion in 2023. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.

About BASF’s Performance Materials division
BASF’s Performance Materials division is at the forefront of the much-needed sustainability transformation in plastics. Our products are co-created with customers around the globe to bring innovations to major industry sectors such as transportation, consumer goods, industrial applications, and construction. Our R &D focuses on all stages of the plastics journey: Make, Use and Recycle. The MAKE phase is about improving how plastics are made, from product design to the choice of raw materials and the manufacturing process itself. The USE phase enhances plastics’ strengths such as light weight, robustness, and thermal resistance. At the end of the product lifecycle, the RECYCLE phase looks at how to close the loop to achieve a circular economy. In 2023, the Performance Materials division achieved global sales of €7.2 billion. Join #ourplasticsjourney at: https://www.performance-materials.basf.com

Media Contacts:

Christian S. Wilson
Siemens AG
+49 172 138 5608
christian_stuart.wilson@siemens.com

Dr. Julia Endres
BASF SE
49 1609 677 5641
julia.endres@basf.com

SOURCE: Siemens AG