With just a single application, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) significantly reduced the burden of certain electricity surcharges at its German sites. One of the key prerequisites: a certified energy management system.
What do electricity bills, an energy management certification, and several hundred thousand euros have in common? They all play a central role in Germany’s Special Equalization Scheme (Besondere Ausgleichsregelung, BesAR). This regulation is designed to help energy-intensive companies remain internationally competitive. Companies that meet the legal requirements can reduce the impact of certain electricity-related levies. Supported by colleagues from Controlling, the Sustainability team at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) leveraged this opportunity to achieve a significant financial benefit with relatively little effort.
One Application for All Sites
“Simply by submitting the required documentation, we achieved savings of approximately €365,000 – and that’s for just a single year. The return on effort speaks for itself,” says Richard Boehle, Sustainability Coordinator and the driving force behind the application process.
Over the course of about two and a half weeks, he gathered the necessary documentation, coordinated with colleagues and government authorities, and ultimately submitted the application. In the years ahead, the process is expected to become even easier and faster: the Sustainability team is currently working to define and digitize the process in detail.
The financial relief is tied to environmental requirements, as explained by Jens Trabert, Global Director of Sustainability. “Companies must, for example, improve their energy efficiency, increase their use of renewable electricity, or invest in decarbonizing their production processes in order to qualify for the program. These are all initiatives we are actively advancing.”
ISO 50001 as the Foundation
A key prerequisite for successfully reducing electricity-related costs is ISO 50001 certification, which FST’s German sites have achieved. The certification confirms that FST systematically monitors its energy consumption and continuously improves its performance through a structured management process.
At the site level, this means that energy teams analyze the largest energy consumers, evaluate performance indicators, and assess the effectiveness of energy-saving measures. The cross-site approach also makes it easier to share best practices and successful solutions across locations.
The substantial financial relief achieved through the program clearly demonstrates the value of a well-functioning energy management system and consistent documentation. Beyond that, energy management delivers ongoing benefits in day-to-day operations at the sites through greater transparency, more targeted investments, and more efficient energy use, ultimately helping to reduce operating costs.
