Road to 2031: How Hertz & Selck are setting the course for climate neutrality

Contents

1. The goal: Location neutrality by the 100th anniversary.
2. Tailor-made energy: Precision instead of oversizing
3. Self-generated electricity instead of dependence: PV expansion to 350 kW peak
4. Circular economy in focus: Waste heat as a new resource
5. Why this is important for our customers
6. Brick by brick to the green factory

The goal: Location neutrality by the 100th anniversary.

Tradition is a commitment, but it must not lead to stagnation. When Hertz & Selck celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2031, we don't just want to look back on a century of innovation in the field of flavors. We want to fulfill a clear promise: production at our site that operates without fossil fuels.

The architect of this plan is Harck Nissen, our Energy Manager. With a healthy dose of North Frisian pragmatism and years of experience in environmental and energy management, he is building the foundation for our future.

Sustainability is not a short-term measure for us, but a long-term location strategy. While the global supply chain (Scope 3) remains a complex, worldwide challenge, we are focusing on what we can directly influence: our emissions at our site (Scope 1 and 2). We will be carbon neutral in this area by 2031 at the latest.

This means: We are modernizing consistently. Step by step, we are replacing fossil fuels with future-proof, electric solutions and increasing our efficiency where it has the greatest impact.

Tailor-made energy: Precision instead of oversizing

One of the most exciting projects on our roadmap is the optimization of our thermal processes. In industry, plants were often designed with very large safety margins in the past. We also have technologies, such as our current steam generator, that can now be designed much more efficiently and precisely.

We are now turning this energy leeway into a real advantage:

• Modernization of heat generation: We are preparing for the gradual phase-out of gas infrastructure.
• Electrification of processes: Where gas was previously burned, highly efficient electric steam generators and industrial heat pumps are now being installed.
• Precise care: Instead of general heat, we rely on systems that deliver exactly the energy needed to heat our water baths and production processes.

Self-generated electricity instead of dependence: PV expansion to 305 kW peak

Those who electrify need electricity – ideally directly from their own roof. We are significantly expanding our existing photovoltaic system. From its current peak output of just under 100 kW, we want to increase it to 305 kW peak more than triple.

The goal is a high degree of self-sufficiency at the site. Combined with a targeted self-recovery rate of over 90 %, we will then be able to cover around 40 % of our total energy needs ourselves. This makes us not only more ecologically sustainable, but also significantly less dependent on the fluctuations of the global energy market.

Circular economy in focus: Waste heat as a new resource

True efficiency means intelligently networking energy. A key component of this is heat recovery, which we will firmly incorporate into future projects.

A concrete example from our site planning:

1. Cold generates heat: Our new refrigeration systems for raw material storage produce waste heat as a process-related issue.
2. Use resources: This heat is not simply released into the outside air, but is directed specifically into our heated rooms.
3. Advantage for quality: There, it ensures that sensitive raw materials are brought to the ideal processing temperature of approximately 40 °C "free of charge".

Why this is important for our customers

When you buy from Hertz & Selck, you're buying more than just a high-quality flavor. You're investing in a resilient supply chain. Our focus on energy management means for you:

• Security of supply: Through redundant systems (e.g., for compressed air) and a modern infrastructure, we minimize the risk of production downtime.
• Future-proof: We already meet the requirements that large companies will place on their suppliers tomorrow (keyword: sustainability reporting according to DNK/VSME).
• Transparency: With our new energy data acquisition system, we will be able to precisely measure where energy flows in the future – and we will pass this transparency on to you.

Conclusion: Brick by brick to the green factory

The path to climate neutrality is not a sprint, but a well-planned marathon. By expanding photovoltaic systems, replacing gas heating systems, and implementing intelligent heat recovery, we are building our future brick by brick.

When the corks pop in 2031, we will not only be celebrating our past, but a production that is ready for the next 100 years.