Expert interview: Climate neutrality is not an option, but precision work

Sustainability is not a marketing label at Hertz & Selck, but a profound technological transformation. While the industry debates scope balances, Harck Nissen is rebuilding the energy foundation for the coming decades. This involves phasing out fossil fuels, achieving energy independence, and securing competitiveness within a carbon-sensitive supply chain.

In our expert interview, we grant Harck Nissen Insights into the master plan „Mission 2031“. We discuss the tripling of photovoltaic capacity, the pragmatic North Frisian spirit behind the strategy, and why „sustainability for future generations“ must be the goal of every modern production process.

Hertz & Selck in conversation with Harck Nissen (Sustainability & Energy Management)

H&S: Harck, you're responsible for topics that one might not expect to find in an aroma house at first glance. What motivates you in your daily work?

Harck Nissen: My goal is to lay the foundation for the company's future. We want to achieve climate-neutral production at our site by our 100th anniversary in 2031. Specifically, this means a complete phase-out of fossil fuels. We are scrutinizing everything we can influence in Scope 1 and 2 – that is, both on-site energy production and purchased energy.

H&S: That sounds like a huge task for an industrial company. Where do you start?

Harck Nissen: A key component is self-sufficiency. We already have a photovoltaic system, but we will triple its capacity to 350 kWp. This will allow us to utilize almost every available roof surface. Our goal is to cover approximately 40 million of our electricity needs ourselves. This not only makes us greener but also more resilient to market price fluctuations.

H&S: Electricity is one aspect, but production also requires process heat. What is the technical solution for this?

Harck Nissen: This is the most challenging part. We need to systematically replace our gas-fired steam generators and heating systems with electric systems or heat pumps. We are currently implementing a detailed energy data acquisition system. Only when we know precisely which machine consumes how much energy and when can we eliminate inefficiencies. It's about creating transparency through data in order to systematically end waste.

H&S: You often talk about "resilience". To what extent is ecological sustainability also a question of operational safety?

Harck Nissen: Let's take compressed air as an example. If a compressor fails, production comes to a standstill. As part of our modernization, we're replacing old equipment with highly efficient, redundant systems. This allows us to simultaneously reduce energy consumption and increase reliability. For me, sustainability means that Hertz & Selck will still be able to produce safely and cost-effectively in 20 years' time.

H&S: How important are certifications like ISO 14001 in this process?

Harck Nissen: Extremely important. We are aiming for certification by 2027 at the latest. We are part of a complex supply chain. Our customers – global players in the beverage and food sectors – now demand precise data on their carbon footprints. Those who fail to provide this transparency will fall behind. We want to be proactive, not just reactive to legislation.

H&S: You're from North Frisia – does this pragmatic mentality influence the green transformation?

Harck Nissen: Perhaps. We North Frisians are known for being direct and solution-oriented. I try not to complicate things unnecessarily. We say, "You don't have time, you make it." And we are now taking the time to consistently transform Hertz & Selck into a sustainable business for future generations.

Ready for the sustainable value chain of the future?

The conversation with Harck Nissen reveals that sustainability is an integral part of technical excellence at Hertz & Selck. In a market environment that increasingly demands transparency and climate neutrality, we are the partner that is already putting these requirements into practice today.

Would you like to learn more about our sustainability strategy, or are you looking for a partner who precisely meets your requirements for a green supply chain?

Let's analyze together how we can realize your vision of future-proof production.