Press release: Aurubis commissions steam accumulator system in Lünen, one of Europe’s largest multimetal recycling sites
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Aurubis commissions steam accumulator system in Lünen, one of Europe’s largest multimetal recycling sites
- Annual reduction of 2 million m³ of natural gas and 5,000 tons of CO₂
- Investments of about € 10 million; EBITDA contribution of over € 1 million per year
Lünen/Hamburg — August 28, 2025 — Aurubis AG has reached another milestone for more climate-friendly metal production with the successful commissioning of a new steam accumulator system at the Lünen site.
The multimetal recycler invested approximately € 10 million in the system, which significantly boosts energy efficiency but also saves about 5,000 tons of CO₂ annually.
The system consists of four high-pressure steam accumulators and enables excess steam generated in copper production from our furnaces’ waste heat to be stored for later use as needed. The stored steam is used as process steam in production; furthermore, it supplies the plant’s heating infrastructure, including in the administrative building. This eliminates the need to generate additional steam with natural gas.
Aurubis will considerably reduce the use of natural gas-powered fire-tube boilers as a result. The Lünen site will save a total of about 2 million cubic meters1) of natural gas annually — equivalent to the annual consumption of around 1,000 single-family homes.
The investment was completed within the budget and time frame, and will pay off from an economic perspective as well: The new system will contribute over € 1 million to the Aurubis Group’s operating result (EBITDA) each year.
“With the completion of the steam accumulator system, we are sending a strong signal for sustainable industrial production — in the region and beyond,” Aurubis Lünen Plant Manager Verena von Weiss said. “The project demonstrates that climate protection and industrial innovation can go hand in hand. It is a central element of our CO₂ strategy on site.”
COO Multimetal Recycling Inge Hofkens emphasized: “The new steam accumulator system impressively shows how we at Aurubis align energy efficiency, profitability and climate protection — especially in light of rising energy costs. At the same time, we are enhancing our competitiveness and making a concrete contribution to the energy transition.”
The system supports Aurubis’ Group-wide climate targets of reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 50 % by 2030.
Note on funding: The project was funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) through the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA).
1) Normal cubic meters
Aurubis AG
Tore Prang Vice President Corporate Communications & External Affairs Mobile: +49 176 178 421 65
Christoph Tesch Head of Corporate Communication Phone:+49 40 7883 2178 Mobile: +49 172 438 238 8
Meino Hauschildt Senior Manager Corporate Communication Spokesperson Phone: +49 40 7883 3037 Mobile: +49 172 3290 621