Magna in Slovenia: A Sustainable Mindset
Solar panels on the roof and environmentally friendly transport trucks in the driveway are just a few signs of the commitment to sustainability at Magna’s new paint plant in Hoce-Slivnica, Slovenia.
But that’s only the beginning of the facility’s dedication to taking care of the planet.
“Sustainability isn’t just the measures you can see from the outside,” said David Adam, the plant director and overall project lead. “It’s the mindset.”
Steps to ensure respect for the environment began long before the September 2017 groundbreaking at the new 150-million-euro plant. The plant is capable of painting up to 100,000 car bodies per year.
Discussions with members of the local community that started months before production in March 2019 were designed to “give everyone insight into the project,” including the facility’s “green” initiatives, Adam noted. Today, community members are kept apprised of Magna’s ongoing sustainability efforts with the help of a monitoring committee made up of the mayor, the chief of the local fire brigade and others.
“This is a beautiful country that is a tourist destination,” explained Adam. “We want to help preserve it and convince everyone that Magna cares about the environment. Today, we have a positive relationship with the community. We proved that what we promise is what we do.”
Energy monitoring is key.
Through an app on his mobile phone, Adam is able to easily track electricity production from the solar panels at the plant. The solar-cell system here produced 90 megawatt-hours of electricity so far. At the same time, a reduction in CO2 emissions due to the use of solar power equals the planting of more than 1,200 trees, according to the app.
The solar-cell system on top of the plant’s power supply center provides 100 percent of the electricity for lighting office rooms and technology rooms; another system installed on the roof of the paint shop provides 72 percent of the energy to heat the hot water for showers in the employees’ changing room.
But it isn’t just about harnessing the power of the sun.
A rainwater reservoir provides 76 percent of the water requirements for the plant’s restrooms and outside green area. So far,108,046 gallons (500,000 litres) of rainwater have been used.
In addition, waste heat of the compressed-air stations at the plant heat the water used to prepare and clean car bodies in a 10-stage pretreatment process before they receive the first paint application.
Another energy-saving step: using cardboard filters (instead of water separation) to remove paint particles from the spray booth air and then using the recycled air in the spray booths.
The plant also reduces emissions by using new alternative-fuel liquefied natural gas-driven or LNG trucks that transport body shells from Graz to Hoce-Slivnica. The result of this step: a 96 percent reduction in particulate matter, a 30 percent nitrogen oxides (NOx) reduction, a 20 percent CO2 reduction and 50 percent noise containment. The new trucks are equipped with special semitrailers that can carry 50 percent more car bodies, resulting in fewer trips back and forth which reduces emissions even further.
“We are considering more sustainability steps, including the use of solar on a bigger scale,” said Adam, a 20-year Magna veteran. “It’s good for the environment and in the long run, it saves money.”
He adds: “If we can do things in a way that protects the planet without spending more money than needed, we will do so. I tell my team that all the time. I apply that rule in my personal life, too, by reducing energy consumption at home. I have a heat pump, and I’ve invested in more insulation and triple-glazed windows. It’s all part of the sustainability mindset inside and outside of work.”
"Sustainability isn’t just the measures you can see from the outside. It’s the mindset."
David Adam, plant director and overall project lead
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