Did you know that the world's most advanced factories for opto-chips are located at OSRAM Opto Semiconductors in Regensburg (Germany) and its sister plant in Penang (Malaysia)? We launched our first energy program when building work began in Regensburg in 2001 and have been implementing for more ways to save energy ever since. Our central aim is to recycle heat at every stage of every process. By using existing heat and cold we can reduce the power needed to artificially raise or lower temperatures to the absolute minimum.

Milestones:

• 2001: Heat generated in the building via compressed air or process cooling water is
  recycled and used as a heat source for the demineralized water required in the production
  process.
• 2005: Extension of the system to the new production areas in the second construction
  phase.
• April 2008: Extension of the concept to "natural cooling" in the third construction phase –
  using cold outside air in the winter to minimize energy requirements in the cooling cycle.
• 2009: Use of these systems in the new chip plant in Penang.

Our guiding philosophy is to re-use energy as many times as possible. We recover energy from the waste heat of the compressors and the cooling water of the manufacturing machines using environmentally friendly processes.

The many programs we have initiated so far have saved a total of approx. 20GWh. We are particularly proud that our commitment to the environment has not gone unnoticed. Not only were we recently presented with the 2009 Siemens Environment Award but we also received the Energy Prize awarded by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs in 2004. As you can see – it pays to save energy.