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Our technologies for the green transformation
We live in a time of change! Whether geopolitical crises, exploding energy prices, or a shortage of skilled workers, rapid digitization, and demographic change – the economy is currently facing major challenges. First and foremost: climate change and the necessary green transformation of industry. Sustainable technologies are needed to achieve climate targets and reduce global CO2 emissions.
The green transformation requires significant changes from companies, including reorganizing supply chains, adapting production processes, and rethinking value chains. This may be the most comprehensive renewal program since the Industrial Revolution.
Challenges and opportunities of the green transformation
For the German economy, with its robust industrial foundation, and for us at thyssenkrupp, this presents significant opportunities that clearly outweigh the challenges. These opportunities encompass high-growth, sustainable markets, the emergence of entirely novel business models, and the assurance of long-term job security.
thyssenkrupp bundles its technologies for the green transformation.
thyssenkrupp rothe erde makes wind power and solar energy possible in the first place
Although renewable energy sources already supply almost half of the electricity generated in Germany, much more green energy will be needed in the future to make the industry more sustainable in the long term. According to experts, by 2050, Germany's energy demand is projected to reach approximately 1,800 terawatt hours per year. To put this into perspective, this amount of energy could sustain all of Google's services for approximately 300 years.
But there's more to the story! The global expansion of wind turbines is on the rise, with growing plans for their installation worldwide. thyssenkrupp rothe erde is a leading supplier in the industry. Slewing bearings are essential for the generation of green electricity by wind turbines. Our rothe erde® slewing bearings with diameters of up to 25 meters are installed in in wind turbines worldwide. By aligning the wind turbines in the direction of the wind, they convert the kinetic energy of the wind into rotational energy and ultimately into green electricity.
thyssenkrupp nucera pioneers green hydrogen on an industrial scale
Green power serves as the essential foundation for the production of green hydrogen. Within water electrolysis facilities, green energy is employed to split water into its natural components: oxygen and hydrogen. The outcome? Green hydrogen – a climate-neutral energy carrier with the capacity to supplant fossil resources across a multitude of industries, all while emitting no climate-damaging CO2 in the process.
thyssenkrupp nucera is one of the world's leading suppliers of electrolysis plants for the production of green hydrogen and already manufactures plants on an industrial gigawatt scale! The company's successful IPO and promotion to the SDAX in 2023 has shown the vast potential of the electrolysis business. After all, the technology is one of the biggest levers for avoiding CO2 emissions!
thyssenkrupp Uhde supplies key technologies for the transport of green hydrogen
The challenge: In the future, green hydrogen will be produced primarily in regions of the world where green electricity is cheaply available – for example, in South Africa, Australia, Chile or Namibia. To transport it efficiently to areas of demand, green ammonia emerges as a fitting transport medium. Its superior energy density enables it to store more energy in less space, resulting in more cost-effective transportation. Additionally, ammonia is already the world's most traded chemical, with an annual shipment volume of approximately 20 million metric tons. The existing infrastructure of ships, ports, and pipelines makes its transportation highly viable.
Furthermore, the hydrogen derivatives green ammonia and green methanol can serve as sustainable raw materials. Especially in the chemical industry, for example for the production of clothing, plastics and medicines or even synthetic kerosene for aircraft fuels. thyssenkrupp Uhde, as a global technology leader in ammonia cracking and the construction of green ammonia and green methanol plants, plays a pivotal role in unlocking the potential of green hydrogen across various industries.
thyssenkrupp Polysius makes cement production greener
But that is by no means the end of the story: The green transformation does not stop at industries that inevitably have to emit CO2 due to their processes – such as the cement industry, for example. It is responsible for a full 8% of global CO2 emissions each year. Alongside the steel and chemical sectors, the cement industry represents one of the most potent avenues for significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
To this end, new technologies and processes must be developed to capture the CO2 produced and make it usable for other processes and industries. Contrary to its negative reputation, CO2 itself can serve as a valuable raw material for fostering more sustainable processes. In this context, thyssenkrupp Polysius plays a pivotal role, introducing innovative "grey2green" technologies like oxyfuel that revolutionize cement production, rendering it climate-neutral.
thyssenkrupp Decarbon Technologies - Key technologies for the energy transition
From slewing bearings, electrolyzes, green ammonia and methanol plants to carbon capture and utilization technologies for the cement industry – with our businesses we at thyssenkrupp are bundling the key technologies for the green transformation under one roof. And in the future also under one name: thyssenkrupp Decarbon Technologies. This is a completely new direction for us – towards new growth and sustainable success for us and our customers.